Placentia, On August 29, 2010 Placentia Doors Open will take place on Sunday, August 29th, 2010. Backland Trail Canadian Coast Guard Castle Hill National Historic Site of Canada Dancing Sky Photography Fleur de Sel Vacation Home Fort Louis & Archaeological Site and Laboratory Holy Rosary Church O’Reilly House Museum Orcan Art & Design Studio/Gallery Philip’s Café Rosedale Manor Bed and Breakfast and Inn Royal Canadian Mounted Police St. Luke's Anglican Church Three Sisters Pub & Belles Restaurant Backland Trail Take the opportunity to learn about and explore the Backland Trail. The Backland Trail was developed and started by the Argentia Management Authority Inc. in July, 1996. The land was previously under the control of the U.S. Navy and was returned to the Government of Canada when the United States closed its Naval Base at Argentia in October, 1994. Today, the Backland Trail includes 16 kilometres of prepared walking trails that provide breathtaking views of Placentia Bay, the woodland, wildlife and plants, kayaking and hiking. On your walk among the woods and marshes, watch for wildlife such as: eagles, osprey, moose, fox, ptarmigan, and grouse. In addition, you will find some excellent samples of plant life such as Bog Myrtle, Leatherleaf, Northern Rose, Northern Will Raisin, and Creeping Snowberry. (See http://www.argentia.ca/backland.html). Facilities: Wear appropriate clothes and footwear. Never set out on a hike alone. On any hiking rip, travel with at least one companion and let someone know where you are going and approximately when you plan to return. Make sure the walk can be completed in daylight hours. Be prepared to turn back if the weather worsens. TOP Canadian Coast Guard The Canadian Coast Guard – Placentia MCTS Centre is located in Building 5, on the Northside of Argentia. Placentia MCTS provides marine safety communications and regulates vessel traffic (similar to Air Traffic control) to ensure safety of life at sea; protection of the environment; efficient and safe movement of shipping and information for business and industry. The Operations Building was constructed as part of the US Naval Operations in the early 1940’s. It was used as a local radio station and also as a telephone exchange centre before the Canadian Coast Guard commenced Operations in the early 1970s when the Come By Chance Refinery was built. The Building has undergone several renovations but still has the original structure and reinforced concrete walls. Placentia MCTS monitors more than 9000 vessels annually of which 1500 are tankers and responds to more than 150 requests for assistance from mariners each year. The Centre is also responsible for providing safety related services to all of the South Coast from Cape Ballard in the East to Cape LaHune in the West and extending offshore to the St. Pierre and Grand Banks and beyond. TOP Castle Hill National Historic Site of Canada Castle Hill National Historic Site of Canada (NHSC) is located in Jerseyside-Placentia and was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1968. Alongside other fortifications such as Fort Louis (currently undergoing excavation), Castle Hill NHSC was constructed and garrisoned by France and then by England in Placentia during the 17th and 18th centuries. It was chosen as a National Historic Site of Canada due to its important role in defence of Placentia and in relation, its function in securing and protecting the economic and strategic interests of France and England in what is now Atlantic Canada. Castle Hill has a wheelchair accessible visitor centre, gift shop and bilingual guide service. It is open seven days a week from May 15 to October 15, from 10 am to 6 pm. http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/lhn-nhs/nl/castlehill/index.aspx TOP Dancing Sky Photography Open: 1:00pm-4:00pm Cyril's interest in photography began in the mid 1970s. After 30 years teaching, Cyril and his wife Rose retired from education in Newfoundland, and in 2002 moved to Yellowknife, NT for 5 years and became part of the educational system. The majestic beauty of the Yellowknife auroral activity quickly lured Cyril back to the world of photography. In 2007 when they returned back home to Placentia, Cyril continued to use the wide variety of local natural beauty to bolster his portfolio. Trips to other provinces and states in the U.S.A. provided the opportunity to attend seminars, workshops, and field trips. These have been major sources for additional wildlife and landscape photographic opportunities. Cyril completes his artwork from his home and studio in Placentia. For the last several years Cyril has shown his work at various craft fairs and displays around the Avalon peninsula. Come to see his photographs at his studio and learn of the photographic process as well as the places that have inspired his work over the years. http://www.cyriloreillyphotography.com TOP Fleur de Sel Vacation Home Open: 1:00pm-4:00pm Arising from a rich history, Fleur de Sel was built around 1886. Protected from the elements by Mount Pleasant and nestled between the Orcan river and the Atlantic Ocean, it is a traditional Newfoundland two-storey house that was built in the ‘mansard’ style by Patrick O’Keefe. This cosy and unique home is characterised by the original wide planks garnered by Mr. O’Keefe, who in 1886 salvaged lumber from Fish store #7, a business that had been owned by Irish merchants Sweetman and Saunders and was being taken down. Fleur de Sel is a vacation home that has been restored to ensure this rich history remains intact. Facilities: Disabled access. Public washrooms. Free parking. Special Activities: Tours are available. TOP Fort Louis & Archaeological Site and Laboratory Open: 11:00am - 4:00pm Visit the sites of the French Fort Louis and the British New Fort where archaeologists have revealed massive military foundations and fascinating artifacts from French and English families. Fort Louis and the New Fort were fortifications that were constructed between the 1690s and the 1740s by the French and later by the English. Come to watch and learn of the rich history that archaeologists are continuing to uncover. TOP Holy Rosary Church Our Church was called after our Parish Church in Argentia and was built mostly of free labour. It was built in 1941 and First Mass was celebrated in it that December. Its beautiful windows were all donated by our parishioners. Facilities: Building has a wheelchair ramp and fire-exit doors. TOP O’Reilly House Museum Open: 10:00am-4:00pm 2 by W.J. Ellis for the William O’Reilly family of Placentia. William O’Reilly functioned as magistrate for Placentia from 1897 to 1923. After the tenure of William O’Reilly, the house was taken over by the government, providing a home for the Magistrates of Placentia. The O’Reilly House served in this capacity until the 1970s and the death of William Linegar who had asked if he could continue his residence in the home after he retired as Magistrate in 1972. Since 1989, the O’Reilly House has operated as a museum. Given its origins, it conveys the trappings of life and the wealth of the owners, from the kitchen and maid’s quarters to the master bedroom, dining room and parlour. The O’Reilly House Museum also showcases other parts of Placentia’s history including 17th century Basques headstones and also artefacts such as the Bailliff’s Tipstaff used by Prince William Henry while he was stationed at Placentia in 1786. Exhibits also touch on more recent history including the Resettlement of Inner Placentia Bay, 1950 – 1977 as well as model replicas built by Bernard Penney of the Placentia Cottage Hospital and Jerseyside Railway Station. Facilities: Facilities include disabled access and public washrooms. Special Activities: Tours are available. http://www.placentiahistory.ca TOP Orcan Art & Design Studio/Gallery Open: 10:00am – 4:00pm. The Orcan Art and Design Studio/Gallery is a working art studio owned by visual artist Christopher Newhook. Mr. Newhook began the expansion to his business in late 2008 by raising the roof of his garage, creating a rustic loft with a wonderful view of the ancient town of Placentia and wall space to display his work. With wrap around windows and hardwood floor, the area inspires Christopher to paint and design for both locals and visitors alike. Drop in for a chat and see some of his latest art projects. Facilities: Free parking Public washrooms Special Activities: Browse through a selection of cards, prints and original artwork Tours will be available http://www.christophernewhook.com TOP Philip’s Café Many houses in Placentia can lay claim to a long history. And the new home of Philip’s Café is no different. From the late 1940s to the early 1970s, it was the location of a general store with the owners living upstairs. This tradition remains intact and like the previous owners of the general store, Philip and Linda will also be taking up residence upstairs. As the photographs depicts, the former general store had been left to the hands of time. Thus, Philip and Linda had to invest a considerable amount of time, effort and commitment to transform the building into what will be soon be known as Philip’s Café. Without question, Philip and Linda are committed to uniting the past and present. They are also the owners of the successful Rosedale Manor Bed & Breakfast and Inn. This building can also lay claim to a rich history that Philip and Linda have re-built and reinvented, a reflection of the continuity threading from the past into the present and future. TOP Rosedale Manor Bed and Breakfast and Inn Open: Open for tours from 10am - 4pm In 1789 the Placentia was one of the most prosperous communities in Newfoundland. The local firm of Saunders and Sweetman had nineteen shallops at sea, and the firm was transporting dried cod to France, Spain and Portugal. The close link between the Sweetmans and the Verrans began when Harry Verran, a mining engineer from England, married Mary Josephine Sweetman. The Verran House was built in 1893 and remained in the Verran family until 1972. It had a series of owners before being sold to the Town of Placentia. It was bought and renovated in 1989, at which time it opened its doors as Rosedale Manor Bed and Breakfast and Inn. Rosedale Manor is an example of a Second Empire style house, with finely crafted exterior trim and three nicely detailed dormers projecting from its mansard roof. The beautiful old roses on the property came from soil transported as ballast in the ships from Ireland. The gardens have recently been updated with a pond and seating areas, so that visitors can sit and enjoy a cup of tea while watching boats pass by the front gate. Facilities: Facilities include disabled access (for main floor), public washrooms, gift shop Refreshments will also be available. http://www.rosedalemanor.ca/ TOP Royal Canadian Mounted Police In 1997, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) detachment in Placentia amalgamated with the Whitbourne detachment to form the Placentia-Whitbourne District. The RCMP detachment in Placentia is part of the rich history that defines the RCMP and includes close to 28,000 people across Canada. The institution stems from a decision in 1873 by the Parliament of Canada to establish a central police force. The RCMP in the Placentia-Whitbourne District covers a wide-ranging area that includes most of the southwestern portion of the Avalon Peninsula, the western coastline of St. Mary’s Bay and extends northward to the head of Trinity Bay and its southeastern coastline. As a part of their work, the members of the RCMP offer a host of services and are involved with various activities that contribute to the people in the communities of the Placentia-Whitbourne District. The Doors Open event offers visitors and local residents a chance to take a look within the the walls of the RCMP detachment building. Take the opportunity to ask an RCMP officer about the work that is diligently done there. TOP St. Luke's Anglican Church Built in 1905, St. Luke’s Anglican Church is over 100 years old. However, it emerges from an even deeper history, having been built on the site of the oldest Catholic church in Newfoundland. This original church was built in 1689 by the Récollets (Recollects) friars. In 1786, when Prince William Henry came to Placentia, he presented the church with a silver Communion Service and a Coat of Arms. While the Service is now at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in St. John’s, the Coat of Arms is still to be found hanging in St. Luke's Anglican church. The surrounding graveyard contains headstones that are testaments to the long history of Placentia. Owing to this history, St. Luke’s Anglican Church is a Registered Heritage Structure. Coming full circle, today, this well-kept church holds services every Sunday. TOP Three Sisters Pub & Belles Restaurant Three Sisters Pub & Belle’s Restaurant arises from an interesting and intriguing history that is richly interwoven with the lives that have shaped Placentia. In the 19th century, the land on which Three Sisters Pub & Belle’s Restaurant is located was owned by merchant James E. Croucher who later sold it to a William Siteman. Eventually, Mr. Siteman sold the property in 1923 to Michael J. Murphy and following the death of Mr. Murphy, his wife, Elizabeth, sold the building to Alfred Bonia. The story of Belle’s Restaurant comes closer to the present when in the middle of the last century, Mr. Bonia sold the house to Isabel Byrne. It was Isabel Byrne who lived in the house and operated a store. Soon after, Belle helped to usher in what came to be known as Belle Byrne’s Store. In 1997, the house was purchased by Ernest and Geraldine Kelly who, after extensive renovations, re-opened as Belle’s Restaurant. And the latest incarnation of this building closely follows this tradition. Over the past year, the building has changed hands and following significant renovations that altered the interior, it has yet again been reinvented as the Three Sisters Pub and Belles Restaurant. http://site.thethreesisters.org/Home.php TOP