Historic Sites Association
Other Projects

Other Projects

Other Projects of the Historical Sites Association

“Newfoundland – A Place Called Home” collection

The Historic Sites Association of Newfoundland and Labrador celebrated the 500th Anniversary of Cabot’s arrival at Cape Bonavista by purchasing a collection of 30 unique clay sculptures by Joan Parsons Woods.

Woods, a Newfoundland-born artist, created these colourful vignettes as a way to show her children and grandchildren aspects of life in Newfoundland. Each sculpture is approximately 1 foot to 2 feet square in size, and depicts memories from her family’s experiences.

Sea Captains, mummers, the old grocery store, the Garden Party at Government House, blueberry picking and family boil-ups are all depicted.

The collection, called Newfoundland – A Place Called Home; Special Memories of Joan Parsons Woods, has travelled across the province.

Canadian Art Print Portfolio celebrating Parks Canada’s 100th anniversary

In 1985 the Historic Sites Association commissioned twelve of Canada’s outstanding landscape print-makers, one from each province and territory, to create original prints in a variety of mediums; silkscreen, etching, lithograph, serigraph, and woodblock. Each artist chose a subject reflecting a national park or historic site in the artistic medium they felt best suited the image.

These twelve prints became a limited edition of 100 portfolios, whose common element celebrates Canadians’ affection for our wilderness, cultural and historic heritage. 1985 marked Parks Canada’s centenary, and the portfolio became the legacy project that commemorated this event.

The Canadian Art Print Portfolio was launched in October 1985 at a ceremony at Rideau Hall. The first portfolio was presented to Governor General of Canada Madame Jeanne Sauvé.

The collection of prints is as richly varied as the artists that produced them. It ranges from abstracts to high realism and traditional Dorset style, and the brooding Norse spirit of the Blackwood and the luminous surrealism of the Eyre.

The portfolios were sold by the Historic Sites Association. The profits were placed in a trust fund to support the Signal Hill Tattoo, a living history program at Signal Hill National Historic Site of Canada.

Organized the Viking Millennium International Symposium

Held in 2000, the Viking Millennium International Symposium attracted over 300 historians, archaeologists, and enthusiasts from around the world. The conference started in St. John’s, moved to L’anse aux Meadows, over to the Labrador Straits, and ended in Corner Brook. Selections from the papers presented were later published in Vinland Revisited, the Norse World at the Turn of the First Millennium.

“Meeting of Two Worlds” bronze sculpture at L’Anse Aux Meadows

Created by Luben Boykov and Richard Brixel, this sculpture symbolizes the meeting of human migration from the east through Asia to North America and from the west through Europe to North America. The two groups met when the Norse landed at L’anse Aux Meadows.

Hosted the pan-provincial Celebrating Bartlett 2009

In 2009 the Historic Sites Association, in partnership with many organizations, hosted Celebrating Bartlett to Commemorate the life of the remarkable explorer and Newfoundlander Captain Robert Bartlett. Marking Bartlett’s role in Admiral Robert Peary’s famous “dash to the north” in 1909 the celebrations included shows, lectures, exhibits, and more and travelled across Newfoundland and Labrador.

Provided Funding For:

  • Annual financial support for the Signal Hill Tattoo since 2000
  • Restoration of the Cape Spear Lighthouse dome
  • Reconstruction of the Queen’s Battery Barracks
  • Refurbishment of the interior of Cabot Tower
  • Provided $300,000 over five years for the new exhibition in the Visitor Centre at Signal -Hill National Historic Site
  • Translation of the Red Bay underwater archaeological report
  • Financial support for Theatre d’Heritage at Castle Hill
  • Interpretive signage for Port au Choix, National Historic Site

Commissioned internationally renowned artist David Blackwood to create a limited edition etching of Cape Spear, one of which was presented to Prince Charles and Princess Diana.