Showing posts with label collective memories. Show all posts
Showing posts with label collective memories. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 24, 2021

Engaging Seniors in Heritage Projects - notes from Heritage NL's Intangible Cultural Heritage office




The current COVID-19 crisis is difficult for seniors on many fronts.  In addition to creating serious health risks, it has further isolated many.  Heritage NL has been working with seniors for a number of years to capture their stories and offer validation of their lives and experiences.  While engaging seniors in a time of social isolation is challenging, telephone conversations and video interviews can serve as a useful way to connect.

As a guiding principle, Newfoundland and Labrador’s provincial Intangible Cultural Heritage strategy recognises that incorporating multiple voices, including those of seniors, is important in all work relating to ICH. ICH is kept alive and is relevant to a culture when it is regularly practised and learned within communities and between generations. In many instances, elders in our communities are the bearers of many of our traditions and customs and have an important role in setting priorities for community-based research and being valuable information sources for documenting traditional knowledge. We strive to celebrate the voices of seniors by keeping them involved in the various levels and types of work we do and by documenting their knowledge in the process.

In 2016, Heritage NL launched its Collective Memories Project - an initiative which invites seniors to record their stories and memories for archiving and sharing. It was established as a joint project of Heritage NL, the Provincial Advisory Council on Aging and Seniors, the Interdepartmental Working Group on Aging and Seniors, and the Department of Seniors Wellness and Social Development.  

The Collective Memories Project is an umbrella for a number of initiatives designed to create venues for community members to come together to share ideas, experiences, memories, and traditional knowledge. One of our tools is the “Memory Mug Up” program, initially developed by Dr. Martha McDonald at the Labrador Institute. As she describes it, “A mug-up is a snack that people have when they're in the woods,” and the idea behind the Memory Mug Up is easy to apply anywhere.

“One thing we wanted to do was community outreach,” McDonald says, “and so we thought it would be a good idea to just go visit people in their communities and talk to them about days gone by, a very simple idea.” The goal is to help participants share and preserve their stories: a personal story, a story about a family member, or a story about the community as a whole.

Often, the Memory Mug Up is the start of a longer conversation. Community storytelling sessions help identify tradition bearers and knowledge keepers. We record their names, and follow up with one-on-one oral history interviews. All of these are archived in partnership with a local university. Then, we develop online content, short digital storytelling videos, or community history booklets from some of these collected stories.  An important part of keeping stories alive is to make sure that collected materials get back out to the community, and ensuring people’s memories don’t languish on a shelf in an archive. One of the first booklets in our Collective Memories Series featured the experience of five City of St. John’s volunteers and their reflections and advice on volunteering in the community.



Stories of our elders are an important part of understanding our historic places.  The Historic Places Initiative defined heritage value as: “the aesthetic, historic, scientific, cultural, social or spiritual importance or significance for past, present or future generations.”  All of these are related to our collective memories, and the knowledge of those who came before us.  You can’t save historic places without also collecting the stories associated with them, so Heritage NL assists to make existing oral history collections more accessible to the general public, and can help communities start up new oral history projects to interview local seniors. 

Over the course of several years, we’ve come to realize that these projects benefit more than just us as a heritage organization.  Event organizers in particular stressed how beneficial the project was for the seniors of their community, and for community pride. Several people noted the importance of capturing seniors’ stories. A recurring theme was a call to continue to make sure seniors are involved in safeguarding their heritage.

Heritage projects that involve seniors in all parts of the process validate and recognize the contributions of seniors to our communities. They reduce isolation of seniors at risk, and support mental and emotional health and well-being. They also can support mentorship of younger people by their elders through intergenerational exchange.


For more information on how Heritage NL engages seniors in heritage work, email folklorist Dale Jarvis at dale@heritagenl.ca. To see publications resulting from this work go to:  https://heritagefoundation.ca/discover/publications-ich/






Wednesday, February 20, 2019

Torbay Memory Mug Up


On Monday, February 18, 2019, Dale and I attended a Memory Mug Up organized by the Torbay Public library and the Torbay Folk Arts Council. We were invited out to host the session which saw community members sharing stories about their school days. The Mug Up focused on the students and staff of the Old Northside School and St. Michael's Convent School in Torbay.

Three teachers, and a group of students outside the Northside School, Torbary. 1953-1954

Over 30 people came out to share stories about their school days. These included stories about the long trek to the outhouse and learning about indoor plumbing, bringing splits to school for the fire, dance demonstrations and recollections of school plays at the Parish Hall, and school field trips all the way to Bowring Park in St. John's.
School concert.

As part of the event we also digitized a number of photographs the community members had brought to show the group. There were photographs of playground games, field trips and picnics, classrooms, and school concerts and graduation ceremonies.

Class photo.

If you want to learn more about how to run a Memory Mug Up in your community check out our easy how-to-guide or contact Dale Jarvis at 739-1892 ex. 2 or dale@heritagenl.ca

Monday, March 12, 2018

#CollectiveMemories Monday - Gardening in Keels with Joseph "June" Fitzgerald

Ann and Joseph "June" Fitzgerald in their garden in Keels. Photo by Kristin Catherwood. 2012.
Photo courtesy of Memorial University of Newfoundland's Digital Archives Initiative.
As part of the Collective Memories project the ICH office is showcasing community material which has been placed on Memorial University's Digital Archives Initiative. This interview with Joseph "June" Fitzgerald of Keels was conducted by Kristin Catherwood as part of the 2012 Folklore Field School. In the interview Joseph "June" discusses gardening in Keels, past and present. This includes reasons for gardening; garden locations; vegetables grown; necessity of gardening; enjoyment of gardening; gardening as a hobby; fertilization of gardens; soil preparation; cultivation methods; garden pests; and the gardening season. If you want to learn more about gardening click here.

The ICH office is helping communities place previously recorded materials online. If your community has material you would like to make publicly accessible reach out to the Heritage Foundation at 1-888-739-1892 ex.2 or ich@heritagefoundation.ca

Monday, March 5, 2018

#CollectiveMemories Monday - Memories of Cavendish with Gladys Jackson

Horse in Cavendish, NL. 1994.
Baccalieu Trail Heritage Corporation slide collection. # 017.13.010
Photo courtesy of Memorial University's Digital Archives Initiative.
As part of the Collective Memories project the ICH office is showcasing community material which has been placed on Memorial University's Digital Archives Initiative. Check out this interview which is part of a series of filmed oral histories, collected in 2005 by the Baccalieu Trail Heritage Corporation, from over 40 elders who grew up in the area. The Baccalieu Trail HeritageCorporation is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to preserving, promoting and protecting the heritage of the Baccalieu Trail Region. This project includes memories of living and working in the area, going to school, children’s games, home remedies, the first modes of transportation, supernatural beliefs, traditional industries and calendar customs and celebrations. This interview is with Gladys Jackson of Cavendish, NL. The interviewer is Linda Reid. The camera was operated by Linda Cooper. The video was edited by Darrell Barrett.

The ICH office is helping communities place previously recorded materials online. If your community has material you would like to make publicly accessible reach out to the Heritage Foundation at 1-888-739-1892 ex.2 or ich@heritagefoundation.ca

Monday, February 26, 2018

#CollectiveMemories Monday - Wonderful Woody Point with Jack and Sue Parsons

View of Woody Point 5, from the water. Colour photograph. Photo of Woody Point (1950) showing schooner.
Collected and donated to HFNL as visual documentation for the Woody Point Registered Heritage District.
Photo courtesy of Memorial University's Digital Archives Initiative.
As part of the Collective Memories project the ICH office is showcasing community material which has been placed on Memorial University's Digital Archives Initiative. This interview with Jack and Sue Parsons was conducted by Lisa Wilson in 2014 and is about their experience of growing up and staying in Woody Point. It includes information on family history, the school system, local businesses and events, and what it is like to live in a National Park. This interview was conducted as part of the documentation around designating Woody Point a Registered Heritage District.

The ICH office is helping communities place previously recorded materials online. If your community has material you would like to make publicly accessible reach out to the Heritage Foundation at 1-888-739-1892 ex.2 or ich@heritagefoundation.ca

Monday, February 19, 2018

#CollectiveMemories Monday - Stories of Hant's Harbour with Lester Mitchell and Gordon Rogers

Stages on rock in Hant's Harbour. 1993.
Baccalieu Trail Heritage Corporation slide collection. # 017.19.025.
Photo courtesy of Memorial University's Digital Archives Initiative.
As part of the Collective Memories project the ICH office is showcasing community material which has been placed on Memorial University's Digital Archives Initiative. Check out this interview which is part of a series of filmed oral histories, collected in 2005 by the Baccalieu Trail Heritage Corporation, from over 40 elders who grew up in the area. The Baccalieu Trail HeritageCorporation is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to preserving, promoting and protecting the heritage of the Baccalieu Trail Region. This project includes memories of living and working in the area, going to school, children’s games, home remedies, the first modes of transportation, supernatural beliefs, traditional industries and calendar customs and celebrations. This interview is with Lester Mitchell and Gordon Rogers of Hant's Harbour, NL. The interviewer is Linda Cooper. The camera was operated by Linda Reid. The video was edited by Mike Ryan and Darrell Barrett.

The ICH office is helping communities place previously recorded materials online. If your community has material you would like to make publicly accessible reach out to the Heritage Foundation at 1-888-739-1892 ex.2 or ich@heritagefoundation.ca

Monday, February 12, 2018

#CollectiveMemories Monday - Moravian Memories with Reverend Lawrence Junek

Nain church and building, Nain, Labrador. 1995-26-07.
Moravian Architecture of Labrador - Dale Jarvis collection.
Scanned from colour slide number CF18.
Courtesy of Memorial University's DAI. 
As part of the Collective Memories project the ICH office is showcasing community material which has been placed on Memorial University's Digital Archives Initiative. Check out this interview with Reverend Lawrence Junek at his home, the Moravian manse, in Nain, Labrador, conducted by Dale Gilbert Jarvis as part of his thesis research in 1995. This interview is primarily about the Moravian system of dividing the congregation into age and sex based groups called "choirs" dead houses, funeral rituals, and the role of chapel servants.

The ICH office is helping communities place previously recorded materials online. If your community has material you would like to make publicly accessible reach out to the Heritage Foundation at 1-888-739-1892 ex.2 or ich@heritagefoundation.ca

Monday, February 5, 2018

#CollectiveMemories Monday - Recollections of Hopeall with Lillian Smith

Walter Edward Davidson fonds. Three girls on see-saw.
Series, Item A 51-124. Between 1915-1917.
Photo courtesy of The Rooms.
As part of the Collective Memories project the ICH office is showcasing community material which has been placed on Memorial University's Digital Archives Initiative. Check out this interview which is part of a series of filmed oral histories, collected in 2005 by the Baccalieu Trail Heritage Corporation, from over 40 elders who grew up in the area. The Baccalieu Trail HeritageCorporation is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to preserving, promoting and protecting the heritage of the Baccalieu Trail Region. This project includes memories of living and working in the area, going to school, children’s games, home remedies, the first modes of transportation, supernatural beliefs, traditional industries and calendar customs and celebrations. This interview is with Lillian Smith of Hopeall, NL. The interviewer is Linda Reid. The camera was operated by Linda Cooper. The video was edited by Darrell Barrett.

The ICH office is helping communities place previously recorded materials online. If your community has material you would like to make publicly accessible reach out to the Heritage Foundation at 1-888-739-1892 ex.2 or ich@heritagefoundation.ca

Monday, January 29, 2018

#CollectiveMemories Monday - Knitting in Conche with Gertrude Hunt

Gert Hunt demonstrating her knitting skills in Conche, Newfoundland.
Photo by Lisa Wilson. 2010. Photo courtesy of MUN's DAI.
As part of the Collective Memories project the ICH office is showcasing community material which has been placed on Memorial University's Digital Archives Initiative. Check out this interview from May 17, 2010, Lisa Wilson interviews Gertrude Hunt of Conche, Newfoundland. Gertrude discusses knitting, life in Conche, her family, making quilts, working in the Conche fish plant, working in Alberta, and social change in Conche.

The ICH office is helping communities place previously recorded materials online. If your community has material you would like to make publicly accessible reach out to the Heritage Foundation at 1-888-739-1892 ex.2 or ich@heritagefoundation.ca
Traditional snowflake pattern mittens with the cuff.
Made by Gertrude Hunt, Conche, Newfoundland.
Photo by Lisa Wilson. 2010. Photo courtesy of MUN's DAI.

Monday, January 22, 2018

#CollectiveMemories Monday - Whitbourne recollections with Winnie Gear

32.04.002: Whitbourne. "Whitbourne 1937" a view of Whitbourne.
Geography Collection - Historical Photographs of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Memorial University of Newfoundland. Libraries. Archives and Special Collections Division.
As part of the Collective Memories project the ICH office is showcasing community material which has been placed on Memorial University's Digital Archives Initiative. Check out this interview which is part of a series of filmed oral histories, collected in 2005 by the Baccalieu Trail Heritage Corporation, from over 40 elders who grew up in the area. The Baccalieu Trail HeritageCorporation is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to preserving, promoting and protecting the heritage of the Baccalieu Trail Region. This project includes memories of living and working in the area, going to school, children’s games, home remedies, the first modes of transportation, supernatural beliefs, traditional industries and calendar customs and celebrations. This interview is with Winnie Gear of Whitbourne, NL. The interviewer is Linda Cooper. The camera was operated by Robin Baker. The video was edited by Mike Ryan and Darrell Barrett.

The ICH office is helping communities place previously recorded materials online. If your community has material you would like to make publicly accessible reach out to the Heritage Foundation at 1-888-739-1892 ex.2 or ich@heritagefoundation.ca

Monday, January 15, 2018

#CollectiveMemories Monday - Boat Building in Joe Batt's Arm with Aiden Penton

Fishing stage in Joe Batt's Arm. 1997. Photo by Gerald Pocius.
Memorial University of Newfoundland. Folklore and Language Archive.
Fogo Island Collection 2017-225.
Photo courtesy of MUN's DAI. 
As part of the Collective Memories project the ICH office is showcasing community material which has been placed on Memorial University's Digital Archives Initiative. This interview with Aiden Penton of Joe Batt's Arm was recorded on May 16, 2009 by Dale Jarvis at the Marine Institute of Memorial University as part of a boatbuilding fieldwork documentation course. In the interview Aiden discusses his life as a boat builder, his family history, and boat building in Joe Batt's Arm.

The ICH office is helping communities place previously recorded materials online. If your community has material you would like to make publicly accessible reach out to the Heritage Foundation at 1-888-739-1892 ex.2 or ich@heritagefoundation.ca

Monday, January 8, 2018

#CollectiveMemories Monday - Stories of Spaniard's Bay with Frank Brazil

Spaniard's Bay. 30-E. Rev. Edwin Hunt photographs. Geography Collection of historical photographs of Newfoundland and Labrador. Courtesy of Memorial University's Digital Archives Initiative.
As part of the Collective Memories project the ICH office is showcasing community material which has been placed on Memorial University's Digital Archives Initiative. Check out this interview which is part of a series of filmed oral histories, collected in 2005 by the Baccalieu Trail Heritage Corporation, from over 40 elders who grew up in the area. The Baccalieu Trail HeritageCorporation is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to preserving, promoting and protecting the heritage of the Baccalieu Trail Region. This project includes memories of living and working in the area, going to school, children’s games, home remedies, the first modes of transportation, supernatural beliefs, traditional industries and calendar customs and celebrations. This interview is with Frank Brazil of Spaniard's Bay, NL. The interviewer is Kelly Snow. The camera was operated by Linda Cooper. The video was edited by Mike Ryan and Darrell Barrett.

The ICH office is helping communities place previously recorded materials online. If your community has material you would like to make publicly accessible reach out to the Heritage Foundation at 1-888-739-1892 ex.2 or ich@heritagefoundation.ca

Monday, January 1, 2018

#CollectiveMemories Monday - Shops of St. John's and Port Blandford with Linda Bennett

Sarah Greening (L) and Linda Bennett (R) in the basement of the Anglican Church in Port Blandford following a public memory mug up. Photo by Katie Harvey. 2017. 
On August 10, 2017, as part of the Collective Memories project, I interviewed Linda Bennett of St. John’s about growing up in town, convenience stores, shopping in downtown St. John’s, visiting Port Blandford, the shops of Port Blandford, and moving out from St. John’s to Port Blandford. This interview was also part of our Oral History Roadshow and sections of the interview were used in the booklet “Everything Was Wrapped in Brown Paper: The Old Shops of Port Blandford”.

In this interview Linda discusses Harvey’s Convenience which was owned and operated by her father who had a close connection with the Portuguese fisherman who docked in St. John’s harbour. Linda explains how her father became fluent in Portuguese and helped translate for the fishermen. She also describes heading to Port Blandford as a child and the old shops that were in the community at the time. She particularly remembered Hayley’s movie theatre and Pelley’s store where she could try on high heel shoes.

If you would like to listen to the full interview on Memorial University's Digital Archives Initiative click here or you can check out the pdf of our booklet on Port Blandford’s old shops click here.

~Terra Barrett

Monday, December 25, 2017

#CollectiveMemories Monday - Christmas Memories with Joan Keating

Ron and Joan Keating.
On October 23, 2017, as part of the Collective Memories project, I interviewed Joan Keating of St. John’s. Joan was born in the 1940s and grew up on Cookstown Road and Kent Place in St. John’s. In this interview we discuss children’s games, local shops and stores, and of course Christmas memories. Listen to the clips below to hear Joan describe how her family would deliver Christmas present to family members by slide, and hear some of her recollections of the Water Street Christmas raffle.

If you would like to listen to the full clip click here to visit Memorial University’s Digital Archives Initiative.

How did you celebrate Christmas? Did you deliver presents by slide? Do you recall the Christmas raffle?

~Terra Barrett

Monday, December 18, 2017

#CollectiveMemories Monday - Stories of Port Blandford's Old Shops and Former Schools

Reg Penney in the Anglican Church in Port Blandford. 2017. Photo by Terra Barrett.
On August 10, 2017, as part of the Collective Memories project, I interviewed Reg Penney about growing up in Hant’s Harbour, moving to Port Blandford, his teaching career, the stores and shops of Port Blandford, and his time as mayor. This interview was also part of our Oral History Roadshow and sections of the interview were used in the booklet “Everything Was Wrapped in Brown Paper: The Old Shops of Port Blandford”. 

If you would like to listen to the full interview on Memorial University's Digital Archives Initiative click here or you can check out the pdf of our booklet on Port Blandford’s old shops here.


~Terra Barrett

Monday, December 11, 2017

#CollectiveMemories Monday - Spaniard's Bay Folk Cures with Jeanette Russell

Spaniard's Bay. 30-E. Rev. Edwin Hunt photographs. Geography Collection of historical photographs of Newfoundland and Labrador. Courtesy of Memorial University's Digital Archives Initiative.
On August 8th, 2017, as part of the Collective Memories project and our work with the Spaniard's Bay Heritage Society, I interviewed Jeanette Russell about growing up in Spaniard’s Bay and her recollections of folk cures and home remedies including memories of midwives and the health benefits of May snow.

Jeanette grew up with four siblings in the 1950s and 1960s on Bishop’s Cove Shore in Spaniard’s Bay. She described children’s games like tiddley and red rover and how she would would play and create a cobbyhouses [copyhouses or cubbies]. Jeannette also discusses the folk cures from her childhood and remedies she learned from her in-laws. She even describes having the warts charmed off her hands and explains how to make bread poultices.

If you would like to listen to the full interview on Memorial University's Digital Archives Initiative click here or you can check out the pdf of our folk cures booklet here.

~Terra Barrett

Wednesday, December 6, 2017

"Down in the Sands: Boyhood Memories of Salmon Cove" Booklet Launch


Please join the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador, in partnership with the Salmon Cove Future Development Association, in launching Down in the Sands: Boyhood Memories of Salmon Cove on Tuesday, December 12 at 2:00pm at the Salmon Cove Community Centre (SCPC Fire Department) on Main Road. Copies of the booklet will be available at the event. We hope to see you there!

Monday, December 4, 2017

#CollectiveMemories Monday - Memories of McMurdo's with Claudia Earle and Nancy Knight


Claudia Earle and Nancy Knight
On October 23, 2017, as part of the Collective Memories project, I interviewed Nancy Knight and Claudia Earle. Nancy attended our Townie Childhood Memory Mug Up with the Marjorie Mews Library and was interested in being interviewed about her memories of growing up in St. John’s. Nancy invited her longtime friend and schoolmate Claudia to join in on the interview. The two discuss growing up in different neighbourhoods in St. John’s, attending Bishop Spencer School, celebrating holidays such as Christmas, Valentine’s, and Easter, and playing children’s games. The pair also describe some of the changes they have seen over the years and remember the shops of downtown St. John’s.

Listen to the clip below to hear more about McMurdo’s Drug Store on Water Street or click here to listen to the full interview on Memorial University’s Digital Archives Initiative.


~Terra Barrett

Friday, November 10, 2017

Call for Photographs and Memories of St. George's Church in Petty Harbour

Rear view of St. George's Church in Petty Harbour. October 2017. Photo by Terra Barrett. 
Do you have photographs, stories, or anything related to the history of St. George’s Church or School? Did you attend ACW garden parties or Fall sales, concerts or dances at St. George’s Hall? Were you or any of your family a member of the ACW (formerly the Church of England Women’s Association), the Society of United Fishermen (SUF), the Girl’s Friendly Society (GFS), the Church Lad’s Brigade (CLB) or the Select Vestry? Do you have any memories of the Church Wardens or the Church bell ringers?

The Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador in conjunction with members of St. George’s Church are hosting a photo sharing and oral history event on Sunday, November 12, 2017 from 2 to 4 PM at St. George’s Church. Please come and share your stories and bring any photos or other items related to the church or school. The Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador is recording the history of St. George’s and is looking for the help of local community members to gather the information. Please come on November 12 between 2 and 4 PM and share your memories, photos and other moments.

If you are unable to attend on November 12 and have memories about St. George’s please contact Terra Barrett with the Heritage Foundation at 739-1892, extension 5 or toll free 1-888-739-1892 or by email terra@heritagefoundation.ca

Friday, October 20, 2017

Old Shops of Port Blandford and Folk Cures and Practical Magic Booklet Launches

Katie Harvey discussing "Everything was Wrapped in Brown Paper" in Port Blandford.
The past few weeks have been busy ones at the ICH Office. We've been working on several projects including our two latest booklets which have recently launched. On Thursday, October 12th, Katie and I hit the road to Port Blandford with one of the latest booklets in the Oral History Roadshow series. “Everything Was Wrapped in Brown Paper: The Old Shops of Port Blandford” is the third booklet in the Oral History Roadshow Series produced by the Heritage Foundation. This booklet focuses on the old shops of Port Blandford, and people’s memories associated with these places.
Participants Sarah Greening and Linda Bennett reading the book. 
The booklet developed as a result of conversations with Calvin Efford of the Port Blandford Heritage Society and a public event held in August 2017. This event focused on the shops in the community. There were over forty shops in the town from the late 1800s to the early 2000s. Over the course of a couple of days in August we did some interviews with community members who worked or shopped in the stores. These interviews were combined with background research done by the Port Blandford Heritage Society and the community's summer Green Team as well as photos from the community.

On Tuesday October 17th, Dale and I along with our summer student Andrea McGuire headed out to Spaniard's Bay for the launch of the second booklet in the Oral History Roadshow series, "Folk Cures and Practical Magic". This booklet was focused in Spaniard's Bay but also includes a couple of stories from seniors who were interviewed during the summer as part of the Collective Memories project. It includes sections of charming warts, and curing toothaches as well as memories of the midwives and doctors in the 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s.

Andrea McGuire and Terra Barrett with some of the participants interviewed for the Folk Cures and Practical Magic book.
This booklet was the result of a roadshow event held in Spaniard's Bay in July 2017 that focused on home remedies like poultices for infections or practical magic such as removing a stye with a gold ring. Andrea McGuire and I completed interviews with community members who attended this Oral History Night and the Spaniard's Bay Heritage Society's summer student, Thomas Lane, completed a series of interviews with identified community members.

Judy Symonds reading one of her excerpts from the book.
Both launches were quite successful and the popular booklets are being sold by each Heritage Society. The Heritage Foundation will also place a PDF version online in the next few weeks which can be accessed and downloaded for free. 


If you would like to know more information about how your community can get involved in the Oral History Roadshow call Terra at 1-888-739-1892 ex. 5 or email terra@heritagefoundation.ca or Dale ex. 2 and ich@heritagefoundation.ca

~Terra Barrett