On the road to Humber Valley - we are coming your way in May!

Department of Highways Trucks, 1930s
used during the construction of the highway
between Corner Brook and Deer Lake, courtesy Deb LeDrew

Attention all knitters, crocheters, snowshoe makers, people who know traditional recipes, and anyone who makes, crafts, or creates objects - Heritage NL is looking for you!

The Humber Valley Skills Inventory, part of the Humber Valley Thriving Regions project, will identify existing knowledge holders in the area, including craft producers, bakers, farmers, foragers, brewers, printmakers, fly tyers, beekeepers, cooks, artists, antler carvers, and makers of all kinds.  We are looking for anyone with skills and knowledge about the making of everyday objects, skills, art, and crafts from these communities:

Steady Brook, Little Rapids, Humber Village, Humber Valley Resort, Pasadena, Pynn’s Brook, Little Harbour, St. Judes, Deer Lake, Reidville, Cormack, and Howley

The end product will be a publicly-available listing of local skills holders. For examples see:

• Saving Traditional Skills in the Tri Town Area and Surrounding Communities, Great Northern Peninsula (2022)

• Baccalieu Trail Traditional Knowledge Inventory (2021)

If you wish to be listed in the Inventory, email ich@heritagenl.ca or fill out the survey at https://forms.gle/53EMsrC9mTm9FUku7 

 

Heritage NL will be at three open-to-all meetings where you are encouraged to come and learn about the project.  If you are crafty, bring an object you made to show and share!

 

• Monday, May 8th, 7-9pm - Cormack Skills Show and Share - Cormack Town Hall 
• Tuesday, May 9th, 6:30-8:30pm - Yarns and Yarns with the Knit Wits - Pasadena Place, 19 Tenth Avenue, Pasadena
• Wednesday, May 10th, 1pm -3pm - Yarns and Yarns with Kindred Spirits Knit 'n Yarn - Salvation Army, 20 Church Street (corner of Chapel Hill), Deer Lake
• Thursday, May 11th, 7-9pm - Deer Lake Skills Show and Share  - Humber Lodge, 2 Poplar Road
• Saturday, May 13th, 1pm -3pm - Pasadena Heritage Society AGM - Royal Canadian Legion, 92 Main Street. You can register with Pasadena Heritage at https://forms.gle/fBnzU3TL1jk8zF7F7 to help plan number of attendees. Coffee, tea and treats will be provided!

Living Heritage Podcast Ep230 Mentor-Apprentice Program: Moccasin Making with Loretta John and Kevin Drew

Completed moccasins. Photo courtesy of Kevin Drew.

In this episode we talk with mentor Loretta John, and apprentice Kevin Drew who are two participants of Heritage NL’s Mentor-Apprentice Program.

Mrs. John has over 45 years’ experience making moccasins. She originally learned the craft from Ms. Johnson (known as Doctor Granny among the Mi’kmaq) of Eskaosni First Nation. Since learning her craft, Mrs. John worked at the Glen John Craft Shop in Miawpukuk First Nation for year until she retired. She has shared her skills and knowledge through one-on-one mentoring and group workshops.

Kevin Drew has worked with the Glen John Craft Shop for several years now. Over that time, he has worked with many crafters in the community, having an opportunity to observe different Mi’kmaq crafts. Over the course of his time at the craft shop, Kevin has focused on beading and embroidery work.

Kevin Drew sewing a moccasin. Photo courtesy of Kevin Drew.

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Living Heritage is about people who are engaged in the heritage and culture sector, from museum professionals and archivists, to tradition bearers and craftspeople - all those who keep history alive at the community level. The show is a partnership between HeritageNL and CHMR Radio.

Theme music is Rythme Gitan by Latché Swing.

The Staff Cable Houses: Part of the Telecommunications History of Heart's Content

In February of 2023, Heart's Content, NL and Valentia, Ireland, were added to the Tentative List for UNESCO World Heritage Status, one step closer to recognition ten years in the making. The two sites for the first Transatlantic cable, laid in 1866, connected Europe and North America and enabled quicker and more reliable communication between the two continents. The Anglo-American Cable Company established a permanent cable station in Heart's Content in 1875/76. One of the buildings they constructed was the Cable Staff Houses, a duplex for housing employees of the cable station. 

Photo of the Cable Staff Houses #1 and #2 in 2017.

Built in 1882, the house was designed by J.T. Southcott, a prominent architect in Newfoundland for introducing the Second Empire Style of architecture. 

The duplex has undergone significant restorations since its designation as a Registered Heritage Structure in 1995 to preserve and maintain this building. The Cable Staff House has a mansard roof, an architectural feature associated with the Second Empire Style and Southcott's designs. 

The Cable Staff House Mansard Roof (L): Prior to restoration in mid 1990s (R): Following restorations in 2017.

The building also has decorative eaves brackets, visible in the pictures below.

Before and after pictures of the buildings eaves brackets. (L): Picture prior to restoration in 1990s (R): Photo after restoration in 2017.

Photo of the Cable Staff House's windows. (L): Photo from mid 1990s (R): After restoration in 2017.

Another key design element of the Cable Staff Houses is the variety of styles of windows, some of which are 2/2 while others are larger and multi-paned. The house also has several dormer windows, which were restored in 2018. 

The Cable Staff Houses received the Newfoundland Historic Trust's Southcott Award for Restoration in 1999.

You can learn more about the Cable Staff Houses at the links below:

https://heritagenl.ca/heritage-property/cable-staff-house-1-registered-heritage-structure/

https://heritagenl.ca/heritage-property/cable-staff-house-2-registered-heritage-structure/

https://www.gov.nl.ca/releases/2023/tcar/0228n02/

Commemorations Ceremony and Book Launch: The Lebanese Business Community - April 4th, 2023

For immediate release

St. John’s, NL
March 27, 2023

Join Heritage NL at The Lantern, 35 Barnes Road, St. John’s on Tuesday, April 4th at 7:00 pm, as we celebrate the newest addition to our Provincial Historic Commemorations Program – The Establishment of the Lebanese Business Community in Newfoundland.

Newfoundland and Labrador is home to a diversity of cultures and ethnicities, but little attention has been given to how non-European identities have contributed to our province. “Beginning with their arrival in the late 19th century, Lebanese immigrants established a successful business community here. This Provincial Commemoration recognizes the efforts of these Lebanese-Newfoundlanders to build businesses and establish a unique sense of place,” says Heritage NL’s chair, Dr. Lisa Daly.

In addition to the Provincial Historic Commemoration, Heritage NL also announces the launch of The Establishment of the Lebanese Business Community in Newfoundland. This book features chapters on well-known Lebanese business owners, discusses the early arrival of Lebanese immigrant families in Corner Brook, and maps the Lebanese business community of St. John’s from 1898-1936. Several transcripts of oral history interviews are included and the book features over 150 photos of early Lebanese businesses and families.

The event is free and tickets can be found on EventBrite at https://www.eventbrite.ca/o/heritage-nl-11970018677.

Heritage NL is a provincial crown agency with a mandate to stimulate an understanding of and an appreciation for the architectural heritage and intangible cultural heritage of Newfoundland and Labrador.

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For Further Information Contact:

Andrea O’Brien
andrea@heritagenl.ca
1-888-739-1892 ext 4

Living Heritage Podcast Ep229 Mentor-Apprentice Program: Foodways with Lori McCarthy and Tina White

Lori McCarthy and Tina White holding bottled preserves.
Photo courtesy of Tina White.

In this episode we talk with mentor Lori McCarthy, and apprentice Tina White who are two participants of Heritage NL’s Mentor-Apprentice Program.

Lori has lived close to the land her whole life. In 2010, she opened Cod Sounds, a company dedicated to preserving and sharing the cultural food and footways in the province. She has taught foodways workshops for 10 years on everything from wild game butchery to bread making.

Tina has been gathering knowledge on traditional food/recipes, preservation and foraging for the past several years, inspired by her training in Forest Therapy. She began to share her foraging knowledge with others in 2021, when she offered her first Wild Food Walk & Tastings in Tors Cove.

Lori McCarthy and Tina White collecting seaweed.
Photo courtesy of Tina White.

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Living Heritage is about people who are engaged in the heritage and culture sector, from museum professionals and archivists, to tradition bearers and craftspeople - all those who keep history alive at the community level. The show is a partnership between HeritageNL and CHMR Radio.

Theme music is Rythme Gitan by Latché Swing.

Join our Musical Show and Share!

Want to know how to add the skin to a bodhran? Or how wood is worked to make uilleann pipes? Do you love traditional music? Come see and hear maker-musicians from Heritage NL’s Mentor-Apprentice Program!

Neil O’Grady and his apprentice Rob Brown will walk you through crafting uilleann (Irish) pipes — woodworking, leatherwork and metalwork.

Paddy Mackey and his apprentice, Bryan Poirier, will explain how they mould and steam wood to shape a bodhran, add tuners, and mount the skin to create a drum.

Flute-maker Michelle Brophy will also join the maker-musicians in the discussion. Afterwards they will be joined by local musician Charlene Sudbrink for a jam session!

When: 2-3:30pm Saturday, March 25th, 2023

Where: Princess Sheila Seniors Club,

163 Water Street, Carbonear

Cost: Free!

Register: heritagenl.eventbrite.ca

Provincial Historic Commemorations Ceremony and Book Launch: The Lebanese Business Community in Newfoundland

Join us in person at The Lantern on Tuesday, April 4th at 7:00 pm, as Heritage NL celebrates the newest addition to our Provincial Historic Commemorations Program - The Lebanese Business Community in Newfoundland.

Newfoundland and Labrador is home to a diversity of cultures and ethnicities, but little attention has been given to how non-European identities have contributed to our province. Beginning with their arrival in the late 19th century, Lebanese immigrants established a successful business community here. This Provincial Commemoration recognizes the efforts of these Lebanese-Newfoundlanders to build businesses and establish a unique sense of place.

In addition to the Provincial Historic Commemoration, Heritage NL would like to announce the launch of “The Establishment of the Lebanese Business Community in Newfoundland and Labrador”. This book features chapters on well-known Lebanese business owners, discusses the early arrival of Lebanese immigrant families in Corner Brook, and maps the Lebanese business community of St. John’s from 1898-1936. Several transcripts of oral history interviews are included and the book features over 150 photos of early Lebanese businesses and families.

While the books will not be available for sale at the event we will have copies to review. If you would like to purchase a book please order online through Lulu: www.hfnl.ca

Grab your free ticket for the event today! Click here.

Living Heritage Podcast Ep228 Mentor-Apprentice Program: Komatiks with Francine, Dave, and Walter

L-R: Sonny Winters, Francine Winters, and Dave Chaulk in front of completed komatiks.
Photo courtesy of Francine Winters.

In this episode we talk with apprentices Francine Winters, and Dave Chaulk of Happy Valley-Goose Bay and mentor Walter Fowler of Capstan Island. All three are are participants of Heritage NL’s Mentor-Apprentice Program.

Francine and Dave's mentor, Alfred Winters Jr (also known as Sonny), learned to make komatiks from his father, Alfred Winters Sr. Sonny's father was originally form Kamarsuk near Hopedale and was a renowned komatik builder featured in Them Days magazine. Sonny has made six or seven komatiks a year for the last twenty or thirty years.

Apprentice, Francine, developed carpentry skills from working on her house and cabin. She has always wanted to learn to build komatiks, and saw this program as a great way to learn the traditional methods. Dave is also interested in traditional activities, and found it important to learn from Elders in the community. He has worked with wood all his life creating everything from Christmas ornaments to ramps.

If you want to learn more about how to build komatiks please check out this document created by Francine Winters. It demonstrates how her dad, Sonny, builds komatiks and includes several photos of the process. 

Mentor, Walter Fowler, taught apprentice Peter Fowler how to make komatiks. Walter has been building komatiks for over 50 years. He first learned from his father, and older brother and continues making them for himself, his family, and people in Capstan Island and beyond.

Walter Fowler working on komatik.
Photo courtesy of Peter Fowler.

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Living Heritage is about people who are engaged in the heritage and culture sector, from museum professionals and archivists, to tradition bearers and craftspeople - all those who keep history alive at the community level. The show is a partnership between HeritageNL and CHMR Radio.

Theme music is Rythme Gitan by Latché Swing.

Recognizing John Joseph “Joe” Gilmore as an Exceptional Person from the Past.

Join us virtually on National Aviation Day, Thursday, February 23rd at 7:00 pm, as Heritage NL celebrates the newest addition to our Provincial Historic Commemorations Program (PHCP) – John Joseph “Joe” Gilmore as an Exceptional Person from the Past. Facebook Live Event https://fb.me/e/5Obyx1DbH 

The PHCP (administered by Heritage NL) commemorates provincially significant aspects of our history and culture. It is unique in that it also recognizes intangible aspects of our culture and heritage – the customs, cultural practices, traditional skills and knowledge that define our province and our people.

Joan Ritcey, chair of the Commemorations selection committee, says, "the Provincial Historic Commemorations Program is an important element for the recognition and appreciation of our past. By recognizing our cultural traditions and history we honour our heritage and pass it on to future generations."

Since the Program's inception in 2010, 40 designations have been made, including the designation being recognized on February 23rd.  

Born in east Belfast in June 1900, John Joseph “Joe” Gilmore was a pilot, engineer, parachutist, innovator, inventor, and search and rescue specialist. He first came to Newfoundland before the outbreak of WWII, as an employee of the British carrier Imperial Airways. He helped set up the flying boat base at Botwood and flew as an engineer on several of Imperial’s experimental transatlantic flights in 1939. During the Second World War, Gilmore played a pivotal role in the success of the Royal Air Force Ferry Command. He arrived in Gander in 1941 with his wife and children as Ferry Command’s civilian superintendent of aircraft maintenance. 

Ferry pilots plying the North Atlantic during the war praised Gilmore as “the greatest airplane mechanic in the world today.” By war’s end in 1945, Ferry Command had delivered some ten thousand aircraft worldwide. The busiest airfield was Gander, which handled roughly forty-percent of the total delivery number. Gilmore and his maintenance section, working around the clock, deserve much credit for the success of the operation. Regrettably, Gilmore lost his life in May 1945 when his Norseman aircraft, en route to Montréal for servicing, crashed in a farmer’s field on Prince Edward Island. Follow this link to the official Commemoration listing https://heritagenl.ca/discover/provincial-historic-commemorations-program-designations/john-joseph-joe-gilmore .

Heritage NL is a provincial crown agency with a mandate to stimulate an understanding of and an appreciation for the architectural heritage and intangible cultural heritage of the province. For more information visit www.heritagenl.ca.