Historic Buildings Designated

[Heritage Foundation of NF and Lab]

PRESS RELEASE

Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador
1 Springdale Street
St. John's, NF A1C 5V5
739-1892
Fax: 739-5413
http://www.avalon.nf.ca/heritage

For Immediate Release

Date: April 30th, 1998
Contact: Victoria Collins
Phone: 737-8662
Fax: 737-8699

Five Buildings Awarded Heritage Designation

The Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador has designated
another five buildings as Registered Heritage Structures. These include
a church, two halls, a commercial building, and a historic courthouse.
The five buildings, situated in Grand Falls, Trinity, St. John's and
Twillingate, were designated as heritage structures at a recent meeting
of the Heritage Foundation's board of Directors on Saturday, April 19.

"Culture and heritage play a very important role in all societies, and
the Heritage Foundation is the sole organization in the province
mandated to preserve one of the most visible dimensions of Newfoundland
and Labrador culture... our architectural heritage," said Victoria
Collins, chairperson of the foundation. She said that one way in which
the Foundation does this is to designate buildings as Registered
Heritage Structures. The benefits of designation include provincial
recognition of the structure, eligibility for grants and installation of
a plaque to indicate the building's significance. She noted that
previously designated structures have been used as bed and breakfasts,
homes, restaurants, public buildings, museums and churches.

Harmsworth Hall, one of Grand Falls-Windsor's outstanding architectural
landmarks, was designated in recognition of its architectural and
historical significance. The building was designed c. 1929 by the
architect Douglas Wood, and built by the Anglo Newfoundland Development
Company. Currently the Grand Falls-Windsor Town Hall, Harmsworth Hall
was originally constructed as a theatre, playhouse and meeting hall.

The Trinity Court House, Gaol and General Building was recognized as
being exceptional in the provincial context by virtue of its
architectural and historical significance. Designed by architect
William Henry Churchill, the structure was probably erected by local
craftsmen. The building contained the magistrate's offices, court
room, jail, constable's residence and Postal Telegraph office. In June
1615 a court of the Admiralty was held near where the Court House now
stands. Presided over by Sir Richard Whitbourne, it was the first such
court held in North America.

The Tobin Building, located at 214 Duckworth Street in St. John's, was
also designated because of its architectural significance. Erected in
1894, the building is the best preserved wooden post-fire
commercial/residential building in St. John's, and started life as the
James J. Tobin Wines, Spirits, Cigars and Grocery Store. It is
distinctive for is use of decorative wood shingle work and wrought iron
cresting. The interior boasts particularly fine pressed ornamental tin
work.

Two buildings were designated in Twillingate. The Twillingate Masonic
Temple, built in 1906, is the finest wooden lodge on the north-east
coast and is noteworthy for its fine exterior detail and its interior
pressed tin work and arched ceiling. St. Peter's Anglican Church, also
in Twillingate, is one of the oldest churches still in existence in
Newfoundland. The church was recognized for its strong historical
associations, as well as its well-preserved interior. While the main
portion of St. Peter's was erected in 1842, it was not until 2 years
later, in 1844, that the tower was completed. The church was consecrated
by Bishop Feild in the summer of 1845.

Since its inception in 1984, the Heritage Foundation has designated
over 160 buildings -- from modest cottages to provincial landmarks -- as
Registered Heritage Structures and disbursed 126 restoration grants
totalling close to $700,000, resulting in a spin-off economic effect of
close to eight times that amount. Established by the provincial
government in 1984, the Foundation operates with a government-appointed
volunteer board of directors who have historical and architectural
expertise and are drawn from the regions of the province.

The mandate of the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador is
to stimulate an understanding of and an appreciation for the
architectural heritage of the province, and to support and contribute to
the preservation and restoration of buildings of architectural or
historical significance in the province. The foundation has the power
to designate buildings and other structures as Registered Heritage
Structures and may make grants for the purpose of the preservation or
restoration of the Registered Heritage Structures.

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Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador

"To protect, preserve and promote the architectural heritage of
Newfoundland and Labrador."

PO Box 5171, St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada A1C 2T3
http://www.avalon.nf.ca/heritage
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