 |
| Tourism |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
| CAPE SPEAR NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE |
| Telephone #: |
(709) 772-5367 |
| Fax #: |
(709) 772-6302 |
| Email: |
cape.spear@pc.gc.ca |
| Website: |
www.pc.gc.ca |
| Just 11 kilometres from St. John's, Cape Spear National Historic Site is situated at the most easterly point in North America. The cultural and natural history of this point is rich and continues to develop. Here, overlooking the North Atlantic, stands the oldest surviving lighthouse in Newfoundland, a Second World War coastal defence battery and the place where the Millennium first saw the light of dawn in North America. Because of its location on the approaches to St. John's, Cape Spear was the site for the first lighthouse built by the Representative Government in Newfoundland. The original lighthouse, constructed in 1835-36, was replaced with a modern concrete structure in the mid-1950s. The old light station has been restored by Parks Canada to help visitors gain an appreciation for the tradition of lightkeeping in Newfoundland maritime history.
Cape Spear National Historic Site offers the visitor an opportunity to experience the tradition of lightkeeping from the 19th century. Restored and furnished to the 1840's period, a visit to the lighthouse enables the visitor to relive the daily routines of the lightkeeping family. The visitor centre at Cape Spear has exhibits on the history of lighthouses and their technology as well as a gift shop which carries a wide selection of souvenirs. Walking trails take the visitor along the coast to the most easterly point and Fort Cape Spear, a Second World War coastal defence battery and link with other coastal trails outside the site. The rugged, coastal scenery in this area is breathtaking. Icebergs, seabirds and whales are frequently seen during the summer with whale watching especially popular from mid-June to August. Although beautiful, the coastline is very hazardous and safety signs posted at the site should be strictly observed. |
| COURT HOUSE |
| Street: |
Duckworth Street |
| Opened in 1901, the Court House on Duckworth Street is an impressive Victorian-era stone building made with local granite and sandstone. The stonework was cleaned in 1988 and the neo-Romanesque Court House today looks very much as it did in 1901. The so-called Court House Steps, which lie adjacent to the Court House on its eastern side and provide a pedestrian connection between Water Street and Duckworth Street, are on a site that in the 19th century was a produce market and public gallows. Newfoundland's last public hanging occurred there in January 1835, when John Flood was hung for robbing the St. John's-Portugal Cove stagecoach. |
| COLONIAL BUILDING |
| Telephone #: |
(709) 729-0862 |
| Fax #: |
(709) 729-0870 |
| Email: |
tcrinfo@gov.nl.ca |
| Website: |
www.tcr.gov.nl.ca/tcr/historicsites/colonial%20B.htm |
| The first home of the Legislature was a tavern and lodging house owned and operated by a Mrs. Travers. The Legislature's stay with Mrs. Travers turned out to be a short-lived misadventure. The Legislature, in their haste and inexperience, forgot to vote approval for the funds to pay Mrs. Travers her rent. The result was a very irate landlady who seized all the property of the Legislature, not to be released until she was paid what they owed her.
The Legislature was to endure many other temporary homes before they would finally get a building of their own. The Government made its first significant steps toward this when they passed an act in 1836 for the construction of a Colonial Building to serve the dual function of a home for the legislature and a public market house for the people of St. John's. After much debate, and the rejection of numerous other proposed sites, the current site of the Colonial Building was decided upon, with the assistance of the contractor James Purcell and the builder, Patrick Keough.
Colonial Building opened in the 1850s, almost two decades after Newfoundland obtained self-government in 1832. Constructed of white limestone brought from Cork, Ireland, the neoclassical building housed Newfoundland's legislature until 1959, a decade after union with Canada.. Much of Newfoundland's most important political history occurred in and around this building. The Colonial Building now houses the Provincial Archives of Newfoundland & Labrador, the Newfoundland Historical Society, and the Association of Newfoundland & Labrador Archivists. Reference room is open to the public year round. |
| COMMISSARIAT HOUSE |
| Street: |
Kings Bridge Road |
| Telephone #: |
(709) 729-6730/0592 |
| Fax #: |
(709) 729-7989 |
| Email: |
commissariat@nf.aibn.com or tourisminfo@gov.nl.ca |
| Website: |
www.tcr.gov.nl.ca/tcr/historicsites/commissariat%20house.htm |
| This provincial historic site was constructed in 1818 -1821. This gracious Georgian structure is located in the east end and served as the home and office of the Assistant Commissary General. Guides in period costumes are on hand to show visitors through the site which is restored, furnished and decorated to the 1830 time period. |
| CONFEDERATION BUILDING |
| Street: |
Prince Philip Drive |
| Telephone #: |
(709) 729-2300 |
| Website: |
www.gov.nl.ca/aboutnl/confed.htm |
| Standing on a hill overlooking historic St. John's, Confederation Building houses the Legislative Assembly. The 12 storey East Block was opened in 1960 and, at that time, housed all Provincial Government departments, boards and commissions. The main floor lobby contains a mural by Newfoundland artist Harold B. Goodridge, which represents Newfoundland before and after confederation. The grounds also contain a number of sculptures. The six-storey West Block accommodates more than 2,000 Provincial Government employees.
Season: Year Round |
| FORT AMHERST |
| The first lighthouse in Newfoundland was built by the British Military Garrison in 1810 and is located at the base of the Southside Hills at the entrance to St. John's Harbour Narrows opposite Signal Hill. |
| GOVERNMENT HOUSE |
| Street: |
Military Road, St. John's |
| Telephone #: |
(709) 729-4494 |
| Fax #: |
(709) 729-2234 |
| Email: |
governmenthouse@gov.nl.ca |
| Website: |
www.mun.ca/govhouse/government_house.html |
| This building is one of only a few in North America to have a moat surrounding it. It was commissioned by Governor Cochrane in 1824 and now serves as the private residence of the Lieutenant Governor as well as the guest home for visiting members of the Royal family.
Season: Open Year Round |
| JOHNSON GEO CENTRE |
| Street: |
175 Signal Hill Road |
| Telephone #: |
(709) 724-7625 |
| Toll Free #: |
1-866-868-ROCK (7625) |
| Email: |
info@geocentre.ca |
| Website: |
www.geocentre.ca |
| The GEO Centre shows the amazing life-story of our planet, through the remarkable geology of Newfoundland and Labrador. One of the most distinctive buildings in the province, the GEO Centre is located within a beautiful 7 hectare (18 acre) site on world-famous Signal Hill, next to Signal Hill National Historic Park.
The Johnson GEO Centre tells the story of "Our Earth and Our People" by making great use of the geology of our province. The large, glass-encased entry is the only part of the building above ground. Most of the 33,600 sq. ft. of floor space is underground, inside of solid rock walls, which for more than 550 million years have witnessed the story of our Earth. Those walls are there to see and touch, and reveal the secrets of the creation of lands and seas, mountains and rivers, and the causes of earthquakes, volcanoes, tidal waves, and the ice ages. |
| NEWMAN WINE VAULTS PROVINCIAL HISTORIC SITE |
| Street: |
436 Water Street |
| Mailing Address: |
P.O. Box 2403
St. John's, NL
A1C 6E7 |
| Telephone #: |
(709) 739-7870 |
| Fax #: |
(709) 739-5413 |
| Email: |
historictrust@yahoo.ca |
| Website: |
www.historictrust.com/newman.shtml |
| Visit the only historic wine vaults in Newfoundland. |
| QUIDI VIDI BATTERY PROVINCIAL HISTORIC SITE |
| Street: |
Cuckold's Cove Rd., Quidi Vidi Village |
| Telephone #: |
(709) 729-2977/0592 |
| Fax #: |
(709) 729-6745/7989 |
| Email: |
comissariat@nf.aibn.com or tourisminfo@gov.nl.ca |
| Quidi Vidi Battery, overlooking scenic Quidi Vidi Village, was originally erected by the French during their capture of St. John's in 1762. Later rebuilt by the British, it was occupied until well into the 19th century. Restored to the 1812 period, this battery is now staffed by guides dressed in period uniforms of the Royal Artillery. |
| QUIDI VIDI VILLAGE |
| Quidi Vidi Village is a picturesque fishing village within the City of St. John's. While wandering through the narrow winding roads you can visit Mallard Cottage or you can walk the Quidi Vidi Rennies River Trail. |
| SIGNAL HILL NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE |
| Telephone #: |
(709) 772-5367/4444 |
| Fax #: |
(709) 772-6302 |
| Email: |
signal.hill@pc.gc.ca |
| Website: |
www.parkscanada.gc.ca |
| Signal Hill rises above the entrance of St. John's harbour and because of its strategic location, was a natural site for a signal station and fortifications protecting the harbour and city below.
As early as 1704, flag signals were flown from the summit of Signal Hill to inform St. John's of approaching ships, both friendly and hostile. In 1762, English and French forces fought the last North American battle of the Seven Years' War on Signal Hill. When the military withdrew in 1870, the Newfoundland government turned the vacant barracks into hospitals. It was in one of these, on the summit of Signal Hill, that Guglielmo Marconi made communications history when he received the first transatlantic wireless signal in 1901. Cabot Tower was built to commemorate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee and the 400th anniversary of John Cabot's voyage of discovery. It is the location of the last signal station in Canada. Signal Hill stands today as one of the province's best known landmarks. Cabot Tower offers a spectacular panorama from its viewing platform..
Along the perimeter of the 19th-century fortification, the Lookout Trail offers an interpretive walkway featuring display panels on the rich history of Signal Hill, St. John's and Newfoundland.
The site also features walking trails and picnic facilities.
Signal Hill offers a panoramic view of St. John's, the harbour, the ocean and the coastline. Cape Spear, North America's most easterly point, is visible to the southeast. Located atop Signal Hill is Cabot Tower, St. John's most visible landmark. Cabot Tower is open to the public and features historical exhibits and a gift shop.
Signal Hill Tattoo, a 19th-century reenactment, takes place in July and August. The Tattoo with its colour, pageantry, military drills and cannon firings have been a major summer tourist attraction in St. Johns since 1967. A Canadian Heritage Award winner, the Signal Hill Tattoo is an entertaining, historically accurate representation of the Royal Newfoundland Companies, a British Veteran's Regiment that was garrisoned in St. John's from 1824 to 1880.
The Interpretation Centre at Signal Hill features an audiovisual presentation on the history of Newfoundland |
| ST. JOHN'S WATERFRONT |
| Street: |
Harbour Drive |
| To get a real sense of St. John's, a walk along the waterfront is a must. The harbour, located in historic downtown, has provided shelter to explorers, merchants, soldiers, pirates and mariners of all kinds over the last 500 years. Historic buildings, coves, plaques and parks along the route help depict the history of St. John's since discovery by John Cabot in 1497. |
| THE UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES MONUMENT |
| Street: |
Former Pepperrell Air Force Base, Property, North Bank of Quidi Vidi Lake |
| Erected and dedicated in August, 1991. Located on the former Pepperrell Air Force Base property on the north bank of Quidi Vidi Lake. The concrete monument is the original one constructed by the United States Marines after they landed at Argentia Naval Station, Placentia Bay, on January 25, 1941. Here they raised the first American flag on Newfoundland soil on February 13, 1941. The setting, located in the area overlooking Pepperrell and Quidi Vidi Lake, is beautifully landscaped. The flags of the United States, Canada and Newfoundland fly continuously. |
| WAR MEMORIAL |
| Street: |
Water Street |
| The Newfoundland War Memorial was unveiled between Duckworth Street and Water Street on July 1, 1924 - exactly eight years after the Newfoundland Regiment was decimated at Beaumont Hamel, France, during the Battle of the Somme. Situated at Queen's Beach where Sir Humphry Gilbert took possession of the island in 1583. Its bronze figures represent Liberty, the Merchant Marine, the Army, the Navy and the Forestry Corps. |
|
|
|
|
