Thursday, July 31, 2014
Mobilizing Culture - The ICH Update for July 2014
In this edition of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Update for Newfoundland and Labrador: we outline our plans for the Petty Harbour Memory store, a public recording booth which will be set up to archive memories of growing up in Petty Harbour-Maddox Cove; the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador announces a $5000 grant for research on the historic fishery in the province; heritage intern Terra Barrett reports on community celebrations in Petty Harbour; Lisa Wilson gives an update on a recent tombstone rubbing workshop held in Cupids; Heather Igloliorte gives insight into two projects around mobilizing Inuit cultural heritage in Labrador; you all get an invite to the unveiling of the commemorative plaque for the Cable Avenue Registered Heritage District in Bay Roberts; and a reminder about our upcoming four-day "Fishing for Folklore" workshop in Petty Harbour, this September.
Download the newsletter in PDF and other formats from archive.org
photo: Grass basket, base 11.3 cm in diameter. Grass, red and black thread. Collected in Aillik Bay, near Tornavik, south of Hopedale. Received from F.G. Speck, July 4th, 1914. Collection of the Canadian Museum for Civilization.
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
Documenting Pinkston's Forge in Brigus
Pinkston's Forge has been a fixture of the community for a long time, and up to now has been in the hands of the Pinkston family. But maintaining a heritage building like the forge has been a challenge for the family, and the forge itself sits on a lovely piece of corner property. Recently, the family has decided they want to develop the property, but were concerned about the potential loss of the forge. So, the family has decided to turn the building over to the town, on the condition that it be moved.
Moving a heritage building from its original location is rarely the first choice for heritage conservationists, and moving an old forge will pose challenges for the historical society, but it will ensure that the building sees a new life, and hopefully, more educational opportunities.
Local heritage volunteers will be working on the documentation of the building and artefacts, and the ICH office has offered to help with collecting the associated oral histories of the building. On Monday, we helped with the first interview. The photo above shows (l-r) Muriel Pinkston-Wells and John Charles Pinkston, whose father and grandfather started the blacksmithing business, along with local heritage consultant Dale Russell-Fitzpatrick, who conducted the oral history interview.
We’ll be posting more on the project as it unfolds.
If you have a memory of Pinkston's Forge, email me at ich@heritagefoundation.ca or comment below.
- Dale Jarvis
Tuesday, July 29, 2014
Tuesday’s Folklore Photo - Food Fishery
Courtesy of MUN`s Digital Archives Initiative |
I managed to get out on the water over the weekend and I figured this would be an appropriate photo given the ongoing food fishery. The fishery is open until August 10 and opens again September 20 to the 28.
Do you participate in the food fishery? Have you been out yet the year? Did you catch anything? Let us know in the comments below!
Bonus photo:
Breakfast is served! |
Thursday, July 24, 2014
What Lemonade Means to You
The Museum of Logy Bay – Middle Cove – Outer Cove:
What Lemonade Means to You
Guest blog post by Katie Harvey
Do you remember those hot summer days as a child, playing in the neighbourhood, coming home to your mother waiting for you with a cool glass of refreshing lemonade? The condensation on the glass and the clinking of the ice cubes would make your mouth water with anticipation. Lemonade evokes a sense of nostalgia. It is a tangible connection to our precious childhood memories.
Have you ever wondered about the origins of this tasty beverage? It is believed that lemonade can be traced back to ancient Egypt. The first documentation of the lemon in Egypt is made by the Persian poet and traveller, Nasir-i-Khusraw, in the eleventh century. Lemonade did not begin simply as a combination of lemons, water and sugar. The first variation was a wine made with lemons, honey and dates which was commonly drank by peasants. People also drank Kashkab, which was a drink made with citron leaf, rue, black pepper, mint and fermented barley. By 1104, Gatarmizat, or lemon juice, was being consumed regularly, traded and exported in the medieval Jewish community of Cairo.
The summer of 2014 is the summer of lemonade at The Museum of Logy Bay – Middle Cove – Outer Cove. Free ice cold lemonade will be served all day each Friday. Our museum has a large selection of fascinating artefacts and we invite you to stop by to see and experience the history of our community. We hope that, with a little help from lemonade, our museum can produce a sense of nostalgia and a better understanding of past ways of life.
Our museum tells a narrative, displaying the essential parts of the lives of those who grew up in Logy Bay – Middle Cove – Outer Cove. Our themes include: School, Church, Lifestyles, Fishery, Military, Sports, and Agriculture. Everyone will find something of interest here!
We are also looking to collect narratives and photographs from anyone who grew up in the area, so that we might incorporate them into the museum. If you are interested in being interviewed or have photographs you would like to donate, please contact our Museum Coordinator, Katie Harvey, at 726-5272 or email lbmcocmuseum@gmail.com.
Our hours of operation for the summer are Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. There is no admission to enter, although donations are greatly appreciated. Come out and enjoy our community’s unique history, share some lemonade with us, and pay tribute to the past.
What Lemonade Means to You
Guest blog post by Katie Harvey
Photograph
by Kenneth J. Harvey
Do you remember those hot summer days as a child, playing in the neighbourhood, coming home to your mother waiting for you with a cool glass of refreshing lemonade? The condensation on the glass and the clinking of the ice cubes would make your mouth water with anticipation. Lemonade evokes a sense of nostalgia. It is a tangible connection to our precious childhood memories.
Have you ever wondered about the origins of this tasty beverage? It is believed that lemonade can be traced back to ancient Egypt. The first documentation of the lemon in Egypt is made by the Persian poet and traveller, Nasir-i-Khusraw, in the eleventh century. Lemonade did not begin simply as a combination of lemons, water and sugar. The first variation was a wine made with lemons, honey and dates which was commonly drank by peasants. People also drank Kashkab, which was a drink made with citron leaf, rue, black pepper, mint and fermented barley. By 1104, Gatarmizat, or lemon juice, was being consumed regularly, traded and exported in the medieval Jewish community of Cairo.
The summer of 2014 is the summer of lemonade at The Museum of Logy Bay – Middle Cove – Outer Cove. Free ice cold lemonade will be served all day each Friday. Our museum has a large selection of fascinating artefacts and we invite you to stop by to see and experience the history of our community. We hope that, with a little help from lemonade, our museum can produce a sense of nostalgia and a better understanding of past ways of life.
This is an old fashioned Bausch and Lomb "Premoette" camera. Photo by Kenneth J. Harvey.
Artefacts include: scrub board, wringer, washtub and spinning wheel (from left to right). Photo by Kenneth J. Harvey.
Our hours of operation for the summer are Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. There is no admission to enter, although donations are greatly appreciated. Come out and enjoy our community’s unique history, share some lemonade with us, and pay tribute to the past.
Wednesday, July 23, 2014
Headstone Rubbing Workshop
Workshop participant outlining the symbols on the headstone. |
Participants rubbing one of the older headstones in the cemetery. |
These sisters chose a husband and wife's headstones to do their rubbings. |
It was my first experience with headstone rubbing and I found the technique very methodical. It was interesting to see people’s different approaches to the very hands on process. Some people were looking to uncover the words on headstones while others were interested in taking their time and enjoying the practice.
Almost done! |
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
Tuesday's Folklore Photo - Labrador Wildflowers
"Specimens: Wee Flowering Plants
collected Summer 1919 at
Grenfell Mission Station, Battle Harbour,
Labrador / by Katherine G. Amberson, R.N."
Item MG 63.1937 in The Rooms Provincial Archives from the International Grenfell Association Fonds. Entry includes the following quote from inside the album cover:
"These little plants and blossoms changed the forbidding landscape to the
softest, loveliest inviting hues one can imagine. A gentle tribute to
the Creator of our universe. K.G.A"
Monday, July 21, 2014
Headstone Rubbing in Action!
If you have two minutes to spare, please watch this video showing the artful hands of our headstone rubbing participants! This event took place on July 18, 2014 as a collaboration between the HFNL and Cupids Legacy Centre. It was a great day in Cupids--we had a good turn-out and lots of fun learning about cemetery documentation under blue skies. This short was recorded and put together by Lisa Wilson, who facilitated the workshop. Accompanying music is Gerard Chaytor of Conche, NL, on accordion.
Also, please stay tuned to see photos of the event, which will be posted in the near future.
Friday, July 18, 2014
Job Posting - Museum Attendant – Part time
The Museum of Logy Bay – Middle Cove – Outer Cove Museum is looking to hire an enthusiastic and independent student for the summer.
Responsibilities include: greeting visitors and leading tours of the museum, helping to establish an archives, and aiding with historical research.
Experience working in a museum and conducting historical research considered an asset.
Please forward your resume to Museum Coordinator, Katie Harvey, at lbmcocmuseum@gmail.com or drop off at the Museum of Logy Bay – Middle Cove – Outer Cove located at 744 Logy Bay Road in the town hall.
Please forward your resume to Museum Coordinator, Katie Harvey, at lbmcocmuseum@gmail.com or drop off at the Museum of Logy Bay – Middle Cove – Outer Cove located at 744 Logy Bay Road in the town hall.
Petty Harbour Oral History Project - Interviewer Becomes Interviewee
Photo by Terra Barrett |
If you have any memories of growing up in Petty Harbour or the social life within the community please contact Terra at terra@heritagefoundation.ca or (709)739-1892 extension 5.
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
Cupids Headstone Documentation Workshop
If you are in Cupids this upcoming Friday, you might considering joining us for the HFNL's second annual Headstone Rubbing Workshop! This session will be in partnership with Cupids Legacy Centre.
This workshop is aimed at teaching best practices for documenting headstones in historic cemeteries. We will cover the art of making rubbings, reasons to use this method for headstone documentation, basics of discovering headstone symbology, and how to give attention and respect to our historic cemeteries without doing damage to the stone artifacts.
You will walk away with at least one headstone rubbing that you have made yourself, as well as some knowledge about the importance of cemetery conservation.
Note: Charcoal can be messy so please remember to dress in clothes you don't mind getting dirty. All materials provided but you may wish to bring a pillow, knee pads, or a stool.
Date: Friday, July 18
Time: 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Admission: $15
Facilitator: Lisa Wilson, Heritage Outreach Officer, Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland Labrador
Pre-registration required, please contact Cupids Legacy Centre at (709) 528-1610
*All outdoor events are weather dependent. An alternate date will be set in the case of wet conditions. For updates call 528-1610, or check facebook or twitter.*
This workshop is aimed at teaching best practices for documenting headstones in historic cemeteries. We will cover the art of making rubbings, reasons to use this method for headstone documentation, basics of discovering headstone symbology, and how to give attention and respect to our historic cemeteries without doing damage to the stone artifacts.
You will walk away with at least one headstone rubbing that you have made yourself, as well as some knowledge about the importance of cemetery conservation.
Note: Charcoal can be messy so please remember to dress in clothes you don't mind getting dirty. All materials provided but you may wish to bring a pillow, knee pads, or a stool.
Date: Friday, July 18
Time: 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Admission: $15
Facilitator: Lisa Wilson, Heritage Outreach Officer, Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland Labrador
Pre-registration required, please contact Cupids Legacy Centre at (709) 528-1610
*All outdoor events are weather dependent. An alternate date will be set in the case of wet conditions. For updates call 528-1610, or check facebook or twitter.*
Heritage grant announced for documenting the historic NL fishery
“This new program will give communities an opportunity to record some of the important stories and information about the fishery and its role in the daily life of Newfoundland and Labrador,” says Dale Jarvis, folklorist and development officer with the foundation. “A lot of this information is fragile, and needs to be collected before it vanishes.”
The Fisheries ICH Grants are open to town councils, museums, archives or incorporated non-profit cultural and/or heritage organizations.
Deadline for applications is 22 August 2014.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to discuss their proposal with the ICH Development Officer before applying, by phone at 1-(888)-739-1892 ext 2, or email ich@heritagefoundation.ca
(photo: the fish plant and boats, Twillingate, 1963)
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
Tuesday’s Folklore Photo - Flakes and Fish
Thomas Ruck fonds VA 45-1; Petty Harbour in the 1860s Photo: Courtesy of The Rooms |
Petty Cove [Petty Harbour] VA 143-18 [between 1892 and 1904] Photo: Courtesy of The Rooms |
Mike Hearn |
Petty Harbour VA 15a-43.1 Newfoundland Tourist Development Board photograph collection Newfoundland Views Photographs Photo: Courtesy of The Rooms |
Thursday, July 10, 2014
"Better to die a child than live in vain" - Winterton tombstone mystery
I posted a little while ago about a mystery headstone motif from Cupids, which generated some suggestions, and an article in The Telegram. Following that, I got this image (above) and note from Grant Tucker, about a headstone in the Anglican cemetery beside the church at Winterton. Grant writes:
"It has a six line epitaph which is only partially decipherable; perhaps you or one of your contacts can help us. Here is what we have deciphered:
At last from worldly strife ------------------- (hand?) - Iambic Hexameter
And (valiant?) (souls?) -------------------------------- - Iambic (Pentameter?)
(Where?) mercies never fade - Iambic Trimeter
But if protracted guilt --------------------- the span - Iambic Hexameter
Better to die a child than live in vain - Iambic Pentameter
And sink into the shade - Iambic Trimeter
Jasper, my fifth great-grandfather, or perhaps the generation before him, are thought to have been among the first of Winterton's permanent settlers who came from Trinity."Any thoughts? Does the epitaph ring any bells with poetry fans out there?
Drop me a line at ich@heritagefoundation.ca or post a comment!
Monday, July 7, 2014
Walking through the Great Fire of 1892
The Newfoundland and Labrador Historic Trust (“The Trust”) is accompanying the launch of the latest version of its Walk St. John’s app with a real-time history lesson. On Tuesday, July 8, the Trust will live-tweet the events of the Great Fire of 1892 from its account @NLHistoricTrust using #GreatFire1892.
The Walk St. John’s app allows users to experience the alluring streetscapes and heritage architecture of the city, which stand as a testament to the resilience and perseverance of its citizens who rebuilt time and again over the ashes of its past structures.
The app, created with the assistance of local developers TPLED Technology Inc., was initially released for iPhone and iPad in 2012. It allows users to select from several round-trip historic walking tours which guide them through the streets of St. John’s. The new version of the app includes a fifth tour tracing the path of the Great Fire of 1892 and is now also available for Android devices.
“The Great Fire dramatically altered the City of St. John’s,” said Robyn Pike, President of the Newfoundland and Labrador Historic Trust. “Using the app to explore the path of the fire and following #GreatFire1892 on July 8 will introduce you to the places and people that were forever changed by the events of that day.”
The information used to compile the fifth walking tour was collected by a student researcher employed by the Trust in 2013. A founding member of the Trust, Shane O’Dea, provided a voiceover to highlight points of interest along the Great Fire tour.
The Walk St. John’s app is available for free download for iPhone and iPad in the iTunes Store at: http://bit.ly/1n7uwoa and for Android in the Google Play Store at: http://bit.ly/1j8gDGx.
The Newfoundland Historic and Labrador Trust, established in 1966, is a membership-driven, non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of all forms of architecture reflecting the culture and heritage of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Wednesday, July 2, 2014
Memories of Petty Harbour Wanted for Oral History Project
Do you have memories about the concerts, times and social customs in Petty Harbour? The Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador (HFNL) and the Petty Harbour Maddox Cove Heritage Museum are launching the Petty Harbour Oral History Project, and want to talk to you.
Collected stories will be made available through a public website, and will also be archived at the Petty Harbour Maddox Cove Heritage Museum. Researchers have started to interview locals, and are looking for more people to share their stories.
“We are looking for anyone with a connection to Petty Harbour who would be willing to share their memories,” says folklorist Dale Jarvis, with the foundation. “From recollections of the town’s social life to tales of the community concerts, if you have been involved in the community we would love to hear from you.”
The oral history project is part of HFNL’s ongoing Intangible Cultural Heritage program. The program works to safeguard the living heritage of the province for present and future generations everywhere, as a vital part of the identities of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, and as a valuable collection of unique knowledge and customs.
As part of the 6th Annual Arts and Heritage Festival, a “Memory Store” recording booth will also be set up in an old fishing store in Petty Harbour, where family members and friends can interview each other.
If you would like more information or are interested in being interviewed for the project please contact Heritage Intern Terra Barrett at (709)739-1892 ext. 5 or terra@heritagefoundation.ca.
Tuesday, July 1, 2014
Tuesday's Folklore Photo: A Collection of Conversations
Today's folklore photo is actually a collection of photos from the past week. It has been a busy week with the Heritage Foundation. Last Tuesday was the cemetery clean-up and since then I've been kept busy with interviews!
Ron Doyle |
Gordy Doyle |
Cyril Whitten |
have a boil up and put some freshly caught lobsters on the stove. Cyril and I discussed his life in Petty Harbour, the games he played as a child, his memories of the community concerts, fishing in the community and his time as Mayor. Cyril contacted me and said he would like to meet again and said he had much more to say about Petty Harbour. I'm looking forward to interviewing Cyril again this week.
With my feed of lobster. |
Betty Cheeseman |
Harbour. Betty described growing up in a musical family with a mother who played the accordion and a father who danced. She also described being in the community plays, listening to the concerts and the intensity of the card games played in the community.
I'm looking forward to meeting and interviewing more people from Petty Harbour as well as working on the interviews I have already completed. The interviews need tape logs and all the necessary metadata so they can be published on MUN's DAI. If you have memories of growing up in Petty Harbour please contact me at terra@heritagefoundation.ca or (709) 739-1892.
Sunday, June 29, 2014
Help identify this Victorian-era "open book and star" tombstone symbol
I love old cemeteries, and always enjoy poking around the older sections, reading the epitaphs and admiring the artistry of the old grave markers. I was exploring the United Church graveyard in Cupids, Newfoundland yesterday, and came across a tombstone symbol that I am unfamiliar with.
The tombstone features an open book with star motif, and dates from 1881. It marks the burial spot and final resting place of one Lorenzo Taylor, age 22. It is a paired tombstone, with two inscriptions, the partner inscription bearing the more familiar handshake motif.
Books are a common theme on gravestones from the period, and the symbolism of the book can represent many things. A book may represent a person's good deeds and accomplishments being recorded in the Book of Life, or perfect knowledge, or it may be a more literal representation of the Bible.
Often used on the gravestones of ministers or clergymen, a book is a fairly common symbol found on gravestones of very devoted religious people. In the Cupids UC Cemetery, there are numerous examples of book motifs, many of them featuring the same double page spread as the Taylor grave.
Stars, as well, have many possible meanings. A five-pointed star can represent, variously, the Star of Bethlehem, the Epiphany, the star of Jesse or Jacob, and/or heavenly wisdom. Stars can symbolize heaven, the spirit, or the spirit rising to heaven. One list of motifs states the stars can represent “piercing the darkness as an expression of their triumph against the overwhelming odds of oblivion.”
What is less clear is what a star on a book means. Was it simply a stone carver’s blending of two unrelated religious symbols, and then picked out of a pattern book by the purchaser? Or does it represent something specific?
Let me know your thoughts, ideas, and theories! You can comment below, or email me at ich@heritagefoundation.ca.
Friday, June 27, 2014
Oral History, Workshops, Mill Whistles, and Knitting
Contributors: Dale Jarvis, Janice Tulk, Nicole Penney, Donna Clouston, Christine Legrow
Fishing For Folklore - An Intro to Intangible Cultural Heritage Workshop
Tuesday, September 2nd - Friday, September 5th, 2014
Length of Workshop: 4 days, 9:00am-4:30pm each day
Cost: $250 (includes all breaks, lunches from Wed-Friday, course materials, workbook).
Proposed Audience: This intensive workshop is intended for museum employees, cultural workers, members of heritage committees, researchers, and anyone interested in folklore field research and planning.
Description: In cooperation with the 7th Annual Wooden Boat Conference, the Heritage Foundation of NL is running a four-day intensive introductory workshop on intangible cultural heritage in the historic fishing community of Petty Harbour Maddox Cove. Participants will learn about planning an ICH project, writing field notes, oral history interviewing, safeguarding traditional crafts and skills, creating memory maps of communities, documenting traditional boatbuilding techniques, public folklore programming, and report writing.
Participants will be required to bring pencils and pens, all other materials supplied. While not mandatory, participants are encouraged to bring a laptop and any kind of digital camera.
The workshop will be run by Dale Jarvis, the Intangible Cultural Heritage Development Officer for the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. He holds a BSc in Anthropology/Archaeology from Trent University, and a MA in Folklore from Memorial University. He has contributed as a board member and volunteer to many local arts and heritage organizations. Local experts and special guests will present on various themes throughout the week.
Participation is limited to the first 12 paid registrants.
REGISTRATION DEADLINE 15 AUGUST 2014.
For more details, call Dale Jarvis at 1 (888) 739-1892 ext 2, or email ich@heritagefoundation.ca
To register, print and mail registration form with cheque or money order for $250 made payable to “Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador” to:
Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador
PO Box 5171
St. John’s, NL, A1C 5V5
Name: ____________________________________________________
Organization: ___________________________________________________
Postal Address: ____________________________________________________
Phone: ______________ Cell:______________ Email:_____________________
Proposed Audience: This intensive workshop is intended for museum employees, cultural workers, members of heritage committees, researchers, and anyone interested in folklore field research and planning.
Description: In cooperation with the 7th Annual Wooden Boat Conference, the Heritage Foundation of NL is running a four-day intensive introductory workshop on intangible cultural heritage in the historic fishing community of Petty Harbour Maddox Cove. Participants will learn about planning an ICH project, writing field notes, oral history interviewing, safeguarding traditional crafts and skills, creating memory maps of communities, documenting traditional boatbuilding techniques, public folklore programming, and report writing.
Participants will be required to bring pencils and pens, all other materials supplied. While not mandatory, participants are encouraged to bring a laptop and any kind of digital camera.
The workshop will be run by Dale Jarvis, the Intangible Cultural Heritage Development Officer for the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. He holds a BSc in Anthropology/Archaeology from Trent University, and a MA in Folklore from Memorial University. He has contributed as a board member and volunteer to many local arts and heritage organizations. Local experts and special guests will present on various themes throughout the week.
Participation is limited to the first 12 paid registrants.
REGISTRATION DEADLINE 15 AUGUST 2014.
For more details, call Dale Jarvis at 1 (888) 739-1892 ext 2, or email ich@heritagefoundation.ca
To register, print and mail registration form with cheque or money order for $250 made payable to “Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador” to:
Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador
PO Box 5171
St. John’s, NL, A1C 5V5
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Organization: ___________________________________________________
Postal Address: ____________________________________________________
Phone: ______________ Cell:______________ Email:_____________________
Thursday, June 26, 2014
Fine Day for a Cemetery Clean-up!
The Make Midterm Matter cemetery crew. |
On Tuesday, June 24th the HFNL teamed up with students from Memorial University’s Anthropology 1031 to help clean up the RC cemetery in Portugal Cove. This event was a partnership between the Heritage Foundation, Memorial University, the Town of Portugal Cove-St. Phillips and the Roman Catholic Church--it was the first collaboration of its kind.
Jeremy, a heritage/folklore regular, clears brush on his last day of class. |
The University’s “Make Midterm Matter” program inspired the collaboration, and the day-long session became part of the students’ curriculum. It was an interesting example of learning outside of the classroom.
The students worked hard to clear sections of brush and small trees to uncover overgrown graves. While taking breaks from this labour, they also had interesting discussions about the different things a cemetery can reveal about a community. Reading the symbols or “motifs” on the graves themselves can show a shift from religious, community symbols such as the hand of God to more personalized inscriptions such as a fishing pole or a truck. Another discussion lead by their professor Sebastien Despres touched on the issues surrounding the maintenance of graveyards and the shift of responsibility from the family when there are issues such as resettlement and population declines. What I found it particularly interesting, as an observer, was how Dr. Despres was able to connect classroom material in such a meaningful way to the students and to a tangible place in their community.
Both Dale and Lisa from the Heritage Foundation then offered their own knowledge and work experiences connected to Newfoundland cemeteries. Lisa discussed a restoration project she facilitated in Port Royal--a resettled community in Placentia Bay--and the challenges and rewards which went along with the project. Dale shared some ghost and fairy stories about graves, graveyards, and coffins and discussed how these tales relate to notions of respecting the dead. He also provided information about his research on Moravian dead houses and burial practices.
Students hard at work in the RC cemetery. |
More hard work, uncovering a hidden grave. |
Visiting West Point burial site, which the town has protected from development. |
-Terra and Lisa
Fog and Folklore in Twillingate, Newfoundland
This summer, folklorist Crystal Braye of the Wooden Boat Museum of NL and Lois Bragg of the Marine Institute are travelling around the island measuring and documenting wooden boats, and recording the work of traditional Newfoundland boatbuilders. As part of the outreach work of the museum, the ICH office is partnering with them to deliver a series of workshops on intangible cultural heritage and oral history along the way.
Yesterday was the first of our oral history workshops, held at the lighthouse in Twillingate. The workshop space was fantastic, with probably the best view of any workshop I've ever given, looking out at hundreds of icebergs and bergy bits. The workshop room was also conveniently placed above the fog horn, shown above, which punctuated our meeting as the fog rolled in and out throughout the afternoon.
We heard great stories, and local residents helped us identify a mystery woman in one of our oral history collections: broadcaster Hiram Silk had interviewed a Twillingate woman in the 1980s, but had identified her only as "Miss Anstey." We listened to the interview, and people were quick to name her as Mary Anstey, or "Aunt Polly" Anstey, to differentiate her from another Mary Anstey in the community. You can listen to that interview with Mary "Polly" Anstey on Memorial University's Digital Archives Initiative.
Lois and Crystal are shown below, taking the lines of a wooden boat outside the lighthouse at Twillingate. They are going to be working in the Twillingate area till July, and then moving on to Trinity. If you know of boat builders or wooden boats in those areas, they would love to track them down. Drop me a line at ich@heritagefoundation.ca and I'll put you in touch. The next workshops in our series are in Trinity on July 15th and 16th. More info on those workshops here.
Friday, June 20, 2014
Reflections on Petty Harbour
Annie Lee and Ann Payne |
Annie was born and raised in Heart’s Desire, Trinity Bay and moved to St. John’s for work. When Annie was nineteen she left work at Donovan’s hotel and moved to Petty Harbour where her sister Mary lived. Annie worked in Chafe’s shop in Petty Harbour for nine years and after nine years she married the owner’s brother Ambrose Lee.
Ann Payne was born in St. Claire’s hospital, but grew up and spent her whole life in Petty Harbour. Anne had many memories of growing up in the area and stories about the changes the community has seen.
The interview covered many aspects of life in Petty Harbour from beliefs about fairies to Christmas visiting to memories of children’s games. Annie and Ann discussed Chafe’s shop and how is carried everything from a “needle to an anchor”. The shop carried a variety of foods and also sold material. Annie mentioned the priest’s vestments were made out of the thick cloth which was sold at Chafe’s shop.
Ann described growing up in Petty Harbour and the different areas where she would play as a child. The river was a particularly important place and somewhere you would play during the day. Ann said you would never visit the river at night as you were afraid of the fairies. Ann’s father’s family was from Ireland and had a strong belief in fairies. Against advice Ann’s uncle cut across the river one evening, was caught by the fairies and held in the water and broke his leg. Ann said she felt the river was a magical place due to all the stories which surrounded it. The children would go skating on the river during the winter when parts of it froze and in the summer families often had to bathe in the river as their wells would run dry. The river was also a source of water for gardens or for washing clothes on Mondays in the days before indoor plumbing.
School plays, concerts, variety shows and dances were discussed as major sources of entertainment in Petty Harbour. The annual garden party was a particularly important afternoon where there would be turkey teas and tables. Years ago each lady would have their own table with their goods. For example Mrs. Marty made her own butter so she would have a table of homemade butter while Aunt Lucy would have one for desserts. In the years Annie was involved with the garden parties there were no individual tables although she did make a good pie. She won five trophies at the agricultural fair for her baked pies, jam jams or homemade bread. There were also cash prizes for the best vegetables and Annie’s husband Ambrose won a number of times. Community dances and in particular dances during the war were great fun. Annie told a story of how she went to a dance with Ambrose but barely saw him the whole evening as she was dancing with everyone who asked.
Another form of entertainment mentioned was weekly games of cards. Ann described her father and his friends playing games of 45s or 120s where they would gamble for a quarter or a half cow. Annie played cards on Monday evenings in the different spots in the community and continues to play today.
Ann said a favourite summer activity was a picnic to Cape Spear or an outing to pick berries. On a day when her father was not working the family would pack a picnic lunch and head over to Cape Spear. She described the roads as being worse than Petty Harbour’s and when you hit a pothole the whole car went in. Another outing the family would go on would be a berry picking excursion which would involve swimming for the children and lunches of corned beef and cabbage on the Coleman stove.
It was a really great interview and an excellent starting point for the Petty Harbour Oral History project. The interview touched on many aspects of community life in the harbour and sparked my interest in the folklore of Petty Harbour. If you have any memories about the concerts, times and social customs in Petty Harbour I would love to hear from you: terra@heritagefoundation.ca or (709)739-1892.
Looking for Newfoundland descendants of men lost in 1835 shipwreck
August 16, 2014 the Willow Tree Heritage Society of Hant's Harbour will be unveiling a plaque in memory of the seven crew members who were lost on the ship “Fanny” which was shipwrecked near Hant's Harbour in December 1835.
Read about the wreck here
The “Fanny” and crew were from Trinity, and included:
- Skipper Ben Breddy,
- William Kelson,Jr. (Owner)
- John Heyter
- Jonathan Miller
- John Sheppard
- John Stevenson
- James Swyers
Thursday, June 19, 2014
Call for Papers: Trans-Atlantic Dialogues on Cultural Heritage, Liverpool
Trans-Atlantic dialogues on cultural heritage began as early as the voyages of Leif Ericson and Christopher Columbus and continue through the present day. Each side of the Atlantic offers its own geographical and historical specificities expressed and projected through material and immaterial heritage. However, in geopolitical terms and through everyday mobilities, people, objects and ideas flow backward and forward across the ocean, each shaping the heritage of the other, for better or worse, and each shaping the meanings and values that heritage conveys. Where, and in what ways are these trans-Atlantic heritages connected? Where, and in what ways are they not? What can we learn by reflecting on how the different societies and cultures on each side of the Atlantic Ocean produce, consume, mediate, filter, absorb, resist, and experience the heritage of the other?
This conference is brought to you by the Ironbridge International Institute for Cultural Heritage (IIICH), University of Birmingham and the Collaborative for Cultural Heritage Management and Policy (CHAMP), University of Illinois and offers a venue for exploring three critical interactions in this trans-Atlantic dialogue: heritage, tourism and traditions. North America and Europe fashioned two dominant cultural tropes from their powerful and influential intellectual traditions, which have been enacted in Central/South America and Africa, everywhere implicating indigenous cultures. These tropes are contested and linked through historical engagement and contemporary everyday connections. We ask: How do heritages travel? How is trans-Atlantic tourism shaped by heritage? To what extent have traditions crossed and re-crossed the Atlantic? How have heritage and tourism economies emerged based upon flows of peoples and popular imaginaries?
The goal of the conference is to be simultaneously open-ended and provocative. We welcome papers from academics across a wide range of disciplines including anthropology, archaeology, art history, architecture, business, communication, ethnology, heritage studies, history, geography, landscape architecture, literary studies, media studies, museum studies, popular culture, postcolonial studies, sociology, tourism, urban studies, etc. Topics of interest to the conference include, but are not limited to, the following:
- The heritage of trans-Atlantic encounters
- Travelling intangible heritages
- Heritage flows of popular culture
- Re-defining heritage beyond the postcolonial
- The heritage of Atlantic crossings
- World Heritage of the Atlantic periphery
- Rooting and routing heritage
- Community and Nation on display
- Visualizing the Trans-Atlantic world
Tuesday, June 17, 2014
Tuesday's Folklore Photo: Something fishy this way comes
Plowing under caplin for fertilizer [VA 110-32.2] 1930 International Grenfell Association photograph collection Fred Coleman Sears photographs Photo: Courtesy of The Rooms Provincial Archives. |
Caplin used on field as fertilizer [VA 14-105] 1939 Newfoundland Tourist Development Board photograph collection Gustav Anderson photograph album Photo: Courtesy of The Rooms Provincial Archives. |
Caplin used as fertilizer in garden [VA 14-106] 1939 Newfoundland Tourist Development Board photograph collection Gustav Anderson photograph album Photo: Courtesy of The Rooms Provincial Archives. |
Home Gardening, Decks Awash [vol 11, no.1, February 1982] Photo: courtesy of MUN's Digital Archives Initiative |
Gathering kelp on Back of Beach [Kenneth Nash] Jackie Nash personal photo collection Photo: courtesy of MUN's Digital Archives Initiative |
The benefits of kelp and caplin seen in a potato garden [William Snelgrove] Terra Barrett personal photo collection Photo: courtesy of Digest [vol 3, issue 1, summer 2014] |
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