Historic Sites of the Avalon Peninsula
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| City of St. John's1 |
ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES
The formation of Newfoundland as we know it today is attributed to its early abundance of cod fish, which lured Europeans to the Grand Banks fishing grounds at the end of the 15th century. Migrant Basque fishermen and European merchants created fishing and commercial outposts along the coasts, which they were often forced to abandon during military raids and other unforeseen disasters. Long forgotten, some of these sites have been resurrected through careful archaeological excavation, allowing the public an exceptional view of the past.
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| 17th-century Ruins at the Colony of Avalon Archaeological Site2 |
Cupids Archaeology Dig, located in the historic village of Cupids, is the site of the oldest British colony in North America, settled in 1610 by John Guy. The active archaeological dig provides a distinctive look into the past, including evidence of two of the oldest European-made structures in North America and over 100,000 unearthed items and fragments from the late 16th and early 17th centuries. Artifacts from the dig along with historical regional information are on display at the nearby Cupids Museum, open from mid-June to mid-October.
NATIONAL HISTORIC SITES
Four of the nine National Historic Sites of Canada in Newfoundland and Labrador can be found on the Avalon Peninsula. In addition to helping shape the island's history, these sites have significant importance for the heritage of the nation as a whole.
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| Cape Spear Lighthouse3 |
In operation from May to October, the Hawthorne Cottage National Historic Site of Canada, located in Brigus, provides a glimpse into outport life and was the home of world explorer, Captain Bob Bartlett. The cottage, built in 1830, features vernacular design mixed with unique architectural details and showcases an array of exhibits. Guided tours and live theatrical performances are also offered.
Overlooking the town of Placentia, the Castle Hill Historic Site features the preserved remains of a 17th-century military fortification built by the French and overtaken by the British following amendments to international fishing laws. The site, known as Fort Royal, offers a visitors' interpretive centre, tours and impressive historical re-enactments from mid-May to mid-October.
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| Signal Hill National Historic Site4 |
PROVINCIAL HISTORIC SITES
Throughout the Avalon, sites of historical and architectural significance are granted special designation for their role in preserving provincial heritage and providing glimpses into an area's characterful past. The Newman Wine Vaults Provincial Historic Site and Quidi Vidi Battery Provincial Historic Site in St. John's are two such sites which offer interpretive opportunities and interesting perspectives on the city's colourful history. The vaults, located on historic Water Street, were used to age Newman's ruby port from 1679 to the early 20th century and for an array of purposes thereafter. Incepted as a historic site in 1974, the vaults are the only ones of their kind province-wide. In addition to running guided tours, the site offers theatrical performances, wine tastings and storytelling events.
Located east of downtown and just minutes from Signal Hill, the Quidi Vidi Battery Provincial Historic Site is a reconstructed 19th-century military fortification that features live historical interpretations of how life would have been for soldiers and their families in 1812. The battery, built by the French following their capture of territory along the Avalon Peninsula, was recaptured by the British and used to defend the adjacent fishing harbour of Quidi Vidi Village. In operation from mid-May to early October, the site offers guided tours and is an ideal location for iceberg and whale viewing in early summer.
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| Quidi Vidi Battery Provincial Historic Site5 |
MUSEUMS & INTERPRETIVE CENTRES
While the Avalon Peninsula boasts an abundance of community museums and interpretive centres, a few distinctive locations stand out for their significance to the economic history of southeast Newfoundland. The fisheries industry has long been considered the heart of Newfoundland's foundation and the ensuing tradition of boat building. The boat builders of Winterton, located along the Baccalieu Trail in north central Avalon, have a well-known reputation as ingenious craftsmen. Their skills are celebrated at the Winterton Boat Building and Community Museum, an interactive exhibit of boat building demonstrations, pictorial displays of the area's boat-building history, and historic artifacts. Visitors to the museum have the opportunity to view boat designs unique to the area, including punts, trap skiffs and Baccalieu bullies.
Located on Bell Island, accessible by ferry via Portugal Cove, the Bell Island Mine Museum and Underground Tour offers a unique look into the once prosperous mining history of the Avalon Peninsula. Known formerly as the No. 2 Mine, this submarine operation mined iron ore from 1902 to 1949 and extended over 4 km (2.5 mi) under Conception Bay. In addition to offering an interpretive centre showcasing the rise and fall of mining exploration on the island, the site also offers underground mine tours daily from June to September.
If you enjoyed this feature, take a look at these great WorldWeb.com articles:
• Newfoundland & Labrador: Discover the Past
• Historic Sites in the Northwest Territories
PHOTOS COURTESY OF:
- The City of St. John's; St. John's, NL, CAN
- Colony of Avalon Archaeological Site; Ferryland, NL, CAN
- The Lighthouse at the Cape Spear National Historic Site; Avalon Peninsula, NL, CAN
- Signal Hill National Historic Site; St. John's, NL, CAN
- Quidi Vidi Battery Provincial Historic Site; St. John's, NL, CAN
