The Witless Bay Heritage Committee has won another provincial award for its work.
This past June, the committee captured the Manning Award for its book, Bygone Days of Witless Bay. The latest accolade is for all its work in the town since the committee formed in 2004.
The Museum Association of NL said it accorded the Heritage Committee its Award of Merit for the significant contributions it has made to the practice of museum and heritage work in Newfoundland and Labrador. The Award of Merit was presented to co-chairs Maureen Walsh and Bonnie Johnstone at MANL’s Annual General Meeting on October 15.
Among the committee’s work noted by MANL was the publication of Bygone Days of Witless Bay; an inventory of houses built before 1930 that was compiled in 2011 by member Barry Norris and used as the basis for a celebration of the architecture of the community, which included providing plaques for the Historic Homes Project; the designation of the old cemetery as a registered municipal heritage site and one of Canada’s historic places; the collection and scanning of old photographs to ensure the preservation of the images; the hosting of events such as the ringing of the bells to celebrate the Armistice in 1918; collaboration with graduate Folklore students from MUN during field schools in the community; the organization of a heritage walk; provision of storyboards; visits to Alderwood Retirement Centre to display artifacts; design of an information brochure and bookmark for tourists; organization of the annual Remembrance Day ceremony at the cemetery; the hosting of a Heritage Day for Come Home Year; participation in the annual Puffin Festival; the participation of members in Heritage NL workshops; teaching Girl Guides how to perform traditional dances; the sale of old photographs of postcards and note cards; and the hosting of a contest to identify older artifacts which was enjoyed by young and old alike.
The Award of Merit is based on outstanding, innovative, or creative achievement in the museum, gallery, or heritage field, or in any area related to the preservation and development of the province’s cultural heritage, including research, collection, documentation, exhibition, public programming, and management.
“We are pleased to have this award to acknowledge all the work that has been undertaken by current and past members, some of whom have passed,” said Johnstone.
“While we have accomplished a lot, there is much left to do,” added Walsh. “We are planning our projects for the coming year, so stay tuned.”
Anyone interested in purchasing a copy of Bygone Days of Witless Bay, can contact Walsh at 689-5087 or Lucy Carew at 725-9533.
