Heritage NL a Recipient of the John Bragg Award for Atlantic Canada for work on craft pioneer Jessie Luther

Photo: Jessie Luther and friend

 

Canada’s History Society Announces 2026 Recipients of the John Bragg Award for Atlantic Canada

Three $50,000 grants will support projects sharing stories of influential figures in Atlantic Canadian history and society.

WINNIPEG, June 25, 2026 — A doctor turned patron, educator, and builder of cultural development whose commitment shaped the artistic and heritage identity of Madawaska and Acadie. A queer artist and philanthropist whose legacy continues to inspire cultural and community life in  Atlantic Canada. A visionary artist and pioneer of occupational therapy who put craftsmanship at the service of well-being, economic autonomy, and the vitality of rural communities in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The lives and legacies of these remarkable Atlantic Canadians will be honoured through the John Bragg Award for Atlantic Canada. The award is a granting program made possible by the River Philip Foundation, dedicated to preserving and promoting the histories of people whose contributions shaped the region.
“The stories that shape our communities are often found in places, people, and legacies that might otherwise fall into obscurity,” said Melony Ward, President and CEO of the Canada’s History Society. “Whether it is highlighting the contributions of important figures or preserving heritage sites that reflect diverse experiences, the John Bragg Award supports initiatives that allow these stories to be preserved, shared, and passed on to future generations.”

“This award supports community initiatives that bring to life significant stories from Atlantic Canada and make them accessible to a new audience,” said John Bragg on behalf of the River Philip Foundation. “By highlighting figures who have shaped art, culture, and social engagement, we hope to inspire current and future generations to also contribute to the well-being and vitality of their communities.”

Each of the recipients’ projects aims to expand knowledge and increase public awareness of key leaders in their communities. The 2025 recipients are:

•  Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador (Heritage NL), St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador — Jessie Luther — Craft and Community Advocate, research and writing of a biography to be published online
• Société historique du Madawaska, Edmundston, New-Brunswick — Dr Paul- Carmel Laporte, « un artiste dans l’âme, » museum exhibition and series of lectures
• La Société Vieille Maison Association, Meteghan, Nova Scotia, — La Vieille Maison — Saving Built Heritage, Saving Stories, preservation of a heritage site

Each organization will receive $50,000 to implement its initiative.

About the John Bragg Award

The John Bragg Award was launched in 2022/2023 to support projects that conserve and promote the history of individuals who have had a significant impact on communities in Atlantic Canada. The award is administered by Canada’s National History Society, with the support of the River Philip Foundation. CanadasHistory.ca/BraggAward

About Canada’s National History Society

Canada’s History Society is a national charitable organization that seeks to encourage Canadians to engage more deeply with their country’s past. It shares the stories behind the history through its magazines, Canada’s History and Kayak: Canada’s History Magazine for Kids, digitally at CanadasHistory.ca, as well as through education and award programs, including the Governor General’s History Awards. Canada’s History Society believes all Canadians should see themselves reflected in its publications and programs. CanadasHistory.ca

About the River Philip Foundation
Named for the waterway in Nova Scotia’s Oxford County, the River Philip Foundation focuses on grants and funding for initiatives addressing poverty, supporting at-risk youth, education programs, community infrastructure projects, and enriching Canadian culture through performing and visual arts. Additionally, the foundation is committed to funding transformative medical research at Canadian universities and medical schools. RiverPhilipFoundation.ca

BACKGROUNDER

Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador (Heritage NL), St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador

Jessie Luther — Craft and Community Advocate

The Jessie Luther Project highlights the life and legacy of Jessie Luther (1860–1952), an artist and pioneer of occupational therapy who contributed to the social and economic development of rural communities in Newfoundland and Labrador through Grenfell Industries. Trained at the Rhode Island School of Design and influenced by the Arts and Crafts movement, Luther created industrial workshops for women and hospital patients, encouraging the production of handcrafted rugs and traditional objects while supporting community well-being. The Heritage NL project includes three components: research and writing for a detailed biography to be published online, the submission of a nomination for provincial commemoration, and the delivery of accessible community workshops inspired by Luther’s craft techniques. This initiative preserves the history of a pioneering woman — often overshadowed by Wilfred Grenfell — while transmitting her artistic, social, and educational legacy to new generations.

Office furniture looking for a new home

Heritage NL has some desks, office dividers, and filing cabinets we're willing to donate to a museum, heritage organization, or not-for-profit, if you can come pick them up in St. John's. Email dale@heritagenl.ca

Saving Lace: Revitalizing Newfoundland Shuttle Tatting

Shuttle tatting ornaments by Shyla Veinott of Beau Bois.

Do you know how to tat? Do you have memories of your nan shuttle tatting?

Christina Oates wants to hear from you! 

We've recently had a graduate student, Christina, reach out to us about shuttle tatting. Christina is a student at Yorkville University. She is working on her graduating project for a Bachelor of Creative Arts. The project will explore the process of breathing new life into a critically endangered craft through the pillars of learning, practicing, and sharing.

Christina is currently researching shuttle tatting in the province and is looking for any personal connections people have with the craft, such as family heirlooms, memories, experiences, knowledge, or anything else anyone would wish to share. What she is looking for at this stage is pretty open, so even a memory of Nan tatting would be extremely helpful!

If you've got something to share please reach out to Christina at: christina.oates@hotmail.com

Ivy Pull and Basket-Making Workshop: Weaving with Invasive Species

Monday, June 15th, 2026

9am-5pm

Includes treats, tea, and lunch at Thimble Cottage

O’Brien Farm, 150 Oxen Pond Rd, St. John's, NL A1B 3J8

https://maps.app.goo.gl/eCh76YR5dQwszip58 

English Ivy (Hedera helix) was introduced to Newfoundland as an ornamental plant in the 1800s. It can act as a groundcover and climb nearby structures or trees using aerial roots. Ivy thrives by smothering native plants and damaging trees, requiring persistent, long-term removal efforts. Luckily for us, ivy is also an excellent material for weaving simple baskets!

Join Lori McCarthy (Food Culture Place) and Dale Jarvis (Heritage NL) at O’Brien Farm for an invasive ivy pull to make way for indigenous plants. Then, we’ll show you how to make a hoop-style hen basket with the ivy you’ve collected - a sustainable way to repurpose a harmful plant. All participants will go home with a rustic ivy basket of their own making. 

NOTE: About 1 in a 100 people may have a skin reaction to English ivy sap or leaves - if you are uncertain about how you will react, wear gloves while handling it.  Pulling ivy can be hard work on your arms and back, so go easy!

What to bring:

• Gardening or work gloves are recommended for working with ivy. 

• Bring secateurs or small garden pruners if you have them. If not, no worries, we have spare pairs for you!

• Be sure to wear rubber boots or waterproof footwear good for stomping around in ditches, and a jacket for the rain and/or a hat for the sun (we know what Newfoundland weather is like). 

• Your favourite sunscreen and insect repellent. 

• Bring a kneeling pad or folding chair if you need one. 

Our ivy workshop will be taught by Lori McCarthy and Dale Jarvis. Lori is a chef, forager, hunter, educator, basket weaver, and enthusiastic outdoors person. She regularly teaches basketry courses through her business Food Culture Place - a folk school for craft, culture, and belonging. Dale is an author, folklorist, and Executive Director of Heritage NL, where he works to safeguard the historic places and living history of the province. He is passionate about forging links between communities, and is an aspiring basket maker.

Register Here:

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/ivy-pull-and-basket-making-workshop-weaving-with-invasive-species-tickets-1989297619731?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

Sheep to Sock Fibre Festival at O'Brien Farm, June 6th, 2026

Sheep to Sock Schedule.

Join Heritage NL and our friends at the Sheep Producers of NL for our third annual Sheep to Sock Fibre Festival at O'Brien Farm on Saturday, June 6th, 2026. There will be sheep, lambs, shearing demonstrations, spinning, weaving, knitting, pillow top making, rug hooking, and more. See the whole process of how we go from sheep to sock! A free family event. Bring cash if you want to purchase from SPANL's fundraising BBQ, canteen, or market.


Sheep to Sock Fibre Festival
Saturday, June 6th, 2026
10am-4pm
O'Brien Farm
150 Oxen Pond Road, St. John’s - Google Map link here


Where can I park? Map here or see below

List of Demonstrators:
-Shearing Demos - SPANL
-Spinning - Beth Howley of Angora Borealis
-Weaving - Jessica McDonald using a floor loom provided by the ATC
-Pillow Tops - Heritage NL
-Rug Hooking - Heritage NL
-Waulking - Students of the CNA Textile & Apparel Design Program
-Knitting - Featuring NONIA knitters and Christine LeGrow as well as Michael Pretty from Trail of the Caribou Research Group discussing the Grey Sock project

Be sure to visit Changing of the Seasons: the Turning of the Wheel, a month-long fibre arts exhibit presented in tandem with the Sheep to Sock event at O’Brien Farm. This exhibit celebrates the cyclical nature of the seasons, traditional craft practices, and the O’Brien Farm Foundation's long ties to sustainability and agriculture. This exhibit will run until June 15th in the Visitor Centre. During Sheep to Sock Fibre Festival Heritage NL will award prize ribbons to artworks that best represent traditions listed in the Craft at Risk document, which lists endangered craft practices and encourages the sharing of heritage skills.

Parking details for the event:

Ridley Office Timeline

1838 - Building constructed. See 2026 historical note. 

1978 - Ridley Office featured in the art exhibition Ten Historic Towns (later a book) by artist Jean Ball. Ms Ball noted that her purpose "is not to record everything of value, but to open the eyes of the general public to the treasurers in their midst, in the hope that they will preserve as many as possible of the buildings still not beyond repair."

1990 - Ridley Office designated as a Registered Heritage Structure because of its aesthetic and historic value.  

1991 - $10,000 grant approved for restoration by Heritage NL, disbursed in 1994. 

1991-06-05  - Plaque unveiled at Ridley Office. At this time the building had been purchased by the Town of Harbour Grace in order to save it.

1992 - Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador (Heritage NL) releases the Harbour Grace Heritage District Report. Amongst its recommendations to the Town of Harbour Grace, it suggested that Ridley Offices should become the focus for the area, "ideally as a public operation."

1993 - Rather than keep the building as a public asset, the Town of Harbour Grace puts Ridley Office up for sale, stating "Interested parties should note the most important aspect of this offer is to preserve the property as a heritage structure."

2005 - As part of ongoing issues between the then property owner, the Town, and neighbours, Heritage NL encouraged all parties to work together "to find a solution that will ensure that the building is cared for, maintained, and used in a manner which befits such an historic property."

2012- $2,000 grant approved by Heritage NL and disbursed in the same year. 

2014 - Ridley Offices owner says Harbour Grace holding up permit to open.

2014 - Additional $15,000 approved by Heritage NL for restoration work; this grant went unclaimed and was eventually rescinded. 

2015-2017 - Property owner and Town of Harbour Grace in conflict, the Town offers to buy back the property, and explores expropriation. 

2015 - NL Historic Trust publishes article "Ridley Offices Under Threat"

2018 - Fire in the property. Town backs off from expropriation. 

2018 - Harbour Grace People, Places & Culture Workshop

Following an open, public town meeting hosted by Heritage NL, the workshop report suggested the Town strengthen designation and municipal heritage bylaws, and to introduce a small municipal subsidy for improving built heritage. It also made the following recommendation: 

• "The development of a communication strategy should be a high and short-term priority to ensure that all stakeholders in the community are informed of the development process. Without this, there is a real risk that trust and efforts will break down. It could take the form of a regular printed or online newsletter and/or use of social media."

2019 - Ridley Office Assessment Report. 

In September of 2019, an architect's assessment was made of the building. Numerous conservation recommendations were made, including immediate removal of English Ivy, and repairs to prevent water ingress. None of the architect's recommendations were followed. 

2019 onwards - Property vacant. Repeated flooding. 

2025-07 - Heritage NL hears rumours of demolition discussions, and writes a letter to the Mayor and Council, stating the following:

"We recognize that ownership has changed several times, and the current owner has not been in contact with the office. Heritage NL is very open to discussions around reuse and rehabilitation of the structure, which is eligible for both our annual restoration grants, and for our regular maintenance grants. We recognize a need for investment in the heritage infrastructure in your community, and feel that this building, with its important ties to the history of the fishing industry, could be a great asset and success story for the company, town, and province."

No response received. 

2026-03-24  Heritage NL contacted by owner Harbour Grace Ocean Industries, who stated that the inside of the building showed significant deterioration and appeared to present a threat to the safety of those around it, in particular with some of the walls caving in. 

2026-04–02 Ridley Office Site visit report. Failure to act on any of the 2019 recommendations has resulted in acceleration of building deterioration. Major internal failures of mortar, most second floor joists rotted. Badly burnt timbers from 2018 fire still in place.  Noticeable bowing of improperly repaired exterior masonry, top right half of front facade stone leaning dangerously away from the building. Ice buildup in rubble core of masonry walls. Daylight visible through multiple gaps in the stone walls, roof. 

2026-04-15 Letter to Town of Harbour Grace regarding condition of the building.  Discussion of high conservation costs, difficulty of moving building, possible salvage; note that approval or denial of a demolition permit is the responsibility of the municipality. 

2026-05-15 - Harbour Grace Residents Shocked by Demolition of Heritage Buildings 

 

Information on the S.O. Steele Building, 100 Water Street, St. John's

We've had a few inquiries about the history of the S.O. Steele Building; interested researchers can find more information here:

• Heritage experts ponder future of crumbling building near Newfoundland National War Memorial (CBC article)
• Infrastructure minister says something needs to be done with 'eyesore' building next to war memorial (CBC article)
• S.O. Steele Building Registered Heritage Structure (Heritage NL website)
• Heritage NL Fieldnotes Series, 036, May 2024 - S.O. Steele Building, 100 Water Street, St. John’s
• 2024 - Abbott Floats Museum/Library Combo For National War Memorial.
• 2022 - James Harris STEELE Obituary
• 2011 interview with Margaret Hitchens
• 2011 interview with Paula McDonald
• 2000 - What a Newfoundland Soldier Wrote About the War (Bert Riggs, MUN Website)
• 1996 Article - From Steele to Roses 
• 1991 Agenda Paper - Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada
• 1987 Designation Letter from Heritage Foundation of NL (Heritage NL)
• Biography of Owen William Steele
• STEELE, Owen William Service Documents (The Rooms)
• STEELE, James Robert Service Documents (The Rooms)

Down by the Salley Gardens: Willow Planting Workshop and Picnic

Are you curious about growing willow for privacy, living fences, or basketry? This workshop will offer hands on training for sourcing, preparing, and planting willow cuttings. We’ll talk site selection, planting techniques, and proper care of cuttings and then we’ll work together to expand the farm’s Salley Garden!

A few suggestions for this workshop: wear comfortable gardening clothing, and dress appropriately for the weather! Gardening or work gloves suggested, and bring a kneeling pad if you need.

Willow planting will be taught by Lori McCarthy and Dale Jarvis.  

Lunch and tea at Thimble Cottage is included in the price!

Lori McCarthy is a chef, forager, hunter, educator, basket weaver, and enthusiastic outdoors person. She regularly teaches basketry courses through her business Food Culture Place - a folk school for craft, culture, and belonging. Dale is an author, folklorist, and Executive Director of Heritage NL, where he works to safeguard the historic places and living history of the province. He is passionate about forging links between communities, and is an aspiring basket maker. 

Tickets available through Eventbrite

Death on the Ice: Call for Volunteers

Fishing for Success is again hosting our continuous, live reading of Death on the Ice coming up on April 25, 2026 and is looking for volunteers. 

Want to hang out in traditional sealers garb? Help serve seal treats? Maybe play a musical selection if you’re musically inclined? Please, help Fishing for Sucess make this another successful event! For more information contact Liam at Liam@fishingforsuccess.org.