Two Heritage Restoration Workshops with Heritage NL Mentor Rex Passion

 

Workshop #1
Saturday and Sunday
August 17th-18th
10am-3pm each day

Workshop #2
Saturday and Sunday
August 31st-September 1st
10am-3pm each day

Rex Passion is giving two workshop to demonstrate heritage restoration techniques for repairing old buildings. The workshop will include methods such as molding removal, epoxy consolidation, Dutch patching, clapboard replacement, molding replication, and will concentrate on when to use these approaches. One main example will be the evaluation and repair of damaged window sills.

The workshops will be part of the ongoing restoration work at Howard House Registered Heritage Structure, 9 Garrison Hill in St. John’s, NL, from 10am-3pm each day, and will include lunch.

This workshop is free, but is intended for participants with some carpentry knowledge, and pre-registration is required.

Register for Workshop 1 August 17th-18th

Register for Workshop 2 August 31st-September 1st

About the instructor

Rex started as an apprentice cabinetmaker in the spring of 1972, and in 1985 worked in a historic townhouse in Louisberg Square, Boston. From there, he started Classic Restorations, specializing in the restoration and renovation of historic and traditional homes, seamlessly updating them to fit modern lifestyles. Over twenty years, Classic Restorations restored more than one hundred, nineteenth- and early twentieth-century homes in the greater Boston area. Since moving to Newfoundland, Rex has taught workshops for Heritage NL, including several on wood window repair and restoration, and served as a Mentor in Heritage NL’s Mentor/Apprentice program for Crafts at Risk.

Heritage Update for July 2024: New Designations, Sailor's Valentines, and the origin of the place name Halls Bay

 

Have you seen a Sailor's Valentine? If so, a MUN Folklore researcher wants to chat with you! In this version of the Heritage Update for July 2024: 

• we learn about three new heritage designations (The Terra Nova Sulphite Company Pulp Mill, Surgeon Cove Head Light Station, and  Holloway Property in Lethbridge);
• Andrea O'Brien walks us through what is meant when we talk about "heritage designation" and the various levels at which that can occur;
• Meaghan Collins talks about her Sailor’s Valentines research as part of her dissertation project. and,
• a colourful legend about the origin of the place name for Halls Bay by Dale Jarvis.

Download the pdf here

Heritage NL designates three new properties as Registered Heritage Structures

Heritage NL is excited to announce that three historic properties in Glovertown, Surgeon Cove Head (Exploits Island), and Lethbridge have been awarded heritage designation. The designations include a planned pulp mill, a light station, and a family home with outbuildings.

Terra Nova Sulphite Company Pulp Mill.
Photo courtesy of the Town of Glovertown.

The Terra Nova Sulphite Company Pulp Mill is a large concrete structure located along Angle Brook in Alexander Bay in Glovertown. Construction began on the mill in 1920 under the Norwegian company Terra Nova Sulphite Company Limited. The mill was intended to be opened by the Fall of 1921 but, due to the falling value of the Norwegian Kroner and hesitant investors, the mill never became operational. $2,000,000 had been spent on the construction of the mill and it had the potential of employing 300 people, plus the loggers employed to supply pulpwood. Built from reinforced concrete, the mill is a landmark in Glovertown.  

Surgeon Cove Head Light Station. 
Photo courtesy of Paul and Joanne Langdon.

Surgeon Cove Head Light Station includes a wooden, one-storey double dwelling, a light tower, and a spar and boom apparatus located on Surgeon Cove Head on Exploits Islands. The lighthouse was constructed in 1911 to aid navigation along Newfoundland’s northeast coast and to the busy ports of Botwood and Lewisporte. Due to the steep cliffs, in 1920 the first hoisting engine was installed at the site to allow materials to be transported from the boats below. The 1960s dwelling is reminiscent of lightkeeper dwellings built at that time, many of which were constructed to replace older residences and to accommodate rotational staff. The station was staffed until 2002 and is now owned by Adventures Newfoundland.

Holloway Property in Lethbridge.

The Holloway Property in Lethbridge was built in 1915 and includes a two-and-a-half-storey Victorian Gothic-style house and two outbuildings, one traditionally used as a workshop and the other as a barn. Eli John Holloway (also known as John or Jack) likely built the house before his marriage to Minnie Earl of St. John’s in 1916. Minnie died in childbirth but their daughter survived. Eli John married Mabel Cuff of Bloomfield in 1919 and the couple would have six children together.John had a sawmill and lumber business at Parson’s Siding, along the Bonavista Line of the railroad, and was a member of the Newfoundland Overseas Forestry Unit. John was known as an exceptional carpenter, and his workshop remains on the property. The property remained in the Holloway family until 1975.

“These properties are a reflection of our varied industrial history in Newfoundland and Labrador,” says Dr. Lisa Daly, chair of Heritage NL. “From a home built for the owner of a sawmill and lumber business, to a lighthouse for the safe transportation of goods and people around the often dangerous coastline, and efforts to expand pulp and paper, they reflect the challenges and success of industry in the province.” 

Heritage NL was established in 1984 to preserve one of the most visible dimensions of Newfoundland and Labrador culture - its architectural heritage. Heritage NL designates buildings and other structures as Registered Heritage Structures and may provide grants for the purpose of preservation and restoration of such structures.

Sheep to Sock Sunday and SPANL!

What would Sheep to Sock be without one of our main stars, sheep! SPANL, or the Sheep Producers Association of Newfoundland and Labrador, will be attending Sheep to Sock Sunday with some sheep waiting to be sheared. #SheepToSock

The Sheep Producers Association of Newfoundland and Labrador (SPANL) represents the interests of NL sheep producers - big and small. They achieve this by supporting and promoting the growth and profitability of sheep production, by identifying and addressing producer needs, by strengthening partnerships with governmental and agriculture agencies, by raising public awareness of the sheep industry and increasing the market demand for sheep products, and by removing barriers to expansion and growth. 

More information on SPANL is available here: https://www.nllamb.com/

Sheep to Sock Sunday: Presenting Shona Stacey

Curious to learn more about our Sheep to Sock demonstrators? Heritage NL is excited to present Shona Stacey, who will be demonstrating felting. #SheepToSock

Shona Stacey is a textile artist and educator in Newfoundland and Labrador. She has a studio and farm in Trinity East where she creates original hooked rugs, felted landscapes and other mixed media fibre art. Shona is passionate about the practice and preservation of heritage art and craft in her province and strives to honour and connect with her ancestors through her traditional practices. Shona has a deep love for working with wool and other sustainable fibers. Her work is inspired by the strong winds, the salty air and the resilient generations that came before.

Learn more about Shona here: https://www.wildirisnl.com/

Sheep To Sock Sunday: Presenting Corinne Reid

Heritage NL is excited to highlight another of our Sheep to Sock Sunday demonstrators, Corinne Reid from Seaspun Yarn and Coffee House. #SheepToSock

Seaspun Yarn and Coffee House in Carbonear is a place where different crafts converge, with a shared love for knitting, crochet, weaving, spinning, pottery, and beading. Corinne and her team are driven by a deep desire to give back to their community, offering a chance for individuals to learn new skills and hobbies while providing unwavering support and essential tools. Seaspun, under the inspired leadership of Corinne Reid, is not just a business; it's a community, a journey, and a celebration of creativity that continues to weave its magic on the rocky shores of Newfoundland. Corinne will be joined by two of SeaSpun’s knitting circle regulars.

Learn more about Sheep to Sock Sunday here: heritagecraft.ca

Sheep to Sock Sunday: Presenting Amelia Reimer

Heritage NL is so excited for next Sunday's #SheepToSock! We're presenting another one of our upcoming demonstrators, Amelia Reimer.

"Amelia Reimer hails from the Pacific Northwest Coast, but has made her home in St. John’s since 2012. Involved in various fibre arts (knitting, crochet, spinning, basket weaving, and even shepherdessing) and other art mediums (painting acrylic/watercolour, beading, leatherwork, singing, storytelling, etc.), Amelia finds joy in “making”. Amelia has also been known around St. John’s for her voice and work as an advocate on Indigenous rights and cultural celebrations, and issues like Women’s empowerment, homelessness, prison in-reach, etc. She currently works as community chaplain with Bridges of Canada with adults on parole. "

Learn more about Sheep to Sock Sunday at heritagecraft.ca

Sheep to Sock Sunday: Presenting Emily Denief!

Less than a week until #SheepToSock Sunday! In preparation, check out another of our presenters, Emily Denief.

My name is Emily and I love wool! While I’ve been knitting for most of my life, I recently started spinning my own yarn last year and it’s quickly stolen my heart. Spinning has made me feel more connected to my craft and it truly makes me appreciate the amazing qualities of the wool I’m working with!

Learn more about Sheep to Sock Sunday at heritagecraft.ca

Sheep to Sock: Presenting Brenda Aylward of Aylwards Farm

Heritage NL is excited to announce another demonstrator for the upcoming #SheepToSock Sunday, Brenda Aylward of Aylwards Farm.

Aylwards Farm and Meat Shop is a family owned business located in the scenic ocean village of Port Kirwan, just off Route 10 on the Irish Loop, Southern Shore NL approximately one hour outside St. Johns. Aylwards Farm is primarily a mixed commodity sheep and vegetable farm. The meat shop operates year round and is well known for its specialty sausages and burgers.

Learn more about Aylwards Farm here: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093557289714