Newfoundlander makes major donation to The Rooms

Charles Furey, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, today accepted a donation of $50,000 from expatriate Newfoundlander Elinor Gill Ratcliffe for The Rooms, the $40 million provincial cultural facility which will open in the spring of 2003. Ratcliffe made the donation through her company, Arriscraft International, to honour her father, F. Burnham Gill who was the provincial archivist of Newfoundland and Labrador from 1969 to 1979. Mr. Gill was responsible for directing the early processes of collecting and protecting many of the historical records of the province�s past, and has been recognized for his contributions to preservation of Newfoundland and Labrador history.

"I am delighted to accept this gift on behalf of the province, in honor of a man who has contributed much of his life to preserving the documented history of Newfoundland and Labrador," said Furey. "The Rooms is a very special project which will properly preserve our historical resources and display our artistic talent and creativity, all in one very unique and culturally significant building which will be a legacy for future generations. In accepting this gift, we will ensure that the name of F. Burnham Gill is forever linked with that legacy."

The Rooms management are working with Ratcliffe to identify an appropriate use for the funds to recognize the work of her father. Upon the completion of construction of The Rooms, it is hoped that the Gill family will be able to return to St. John�s for an official commemoration ceremony.

Attached is a biography of F. Burnham Gill.

Media contact: Deborah Glassman, (709) 729-5002.

Frederick Burnham Gill was born and educated in Brigus, Newfoundland. During his early working life he was employed by Gannet Newspapers Corporation, Malone, New York. In 1935 he joined the Newfoundland Ranger Force and was honorably discharged in 1942. He was then appointed office manager of the Corner Brook branch of Clarke Trading. In 1944 he became editor of the Corner Brook Western Star, a position he held until 1950, and was city editor of the St. John�s Daily News until 1960. In 1960 he became senior editor of CJON Radio and Television, a position he held for nine years. In 1969, Gill succeeded Allan Fraser as provincial archivist of the Newfoundland Government and introduced the Records Management Program in that same year. In 1971, Gill founded and became first president of the Atlantic Association of Archivists. Retiring in 1979, Gill went on to form his own company Research Services Limited. He was engaged by the United Church to re-organize their Newfoundland Archives and 1982 was appointed the Newfoundland Conference representative to the National United Church Archives Committee. In that same year, in recognition of Gill�s contribution to Newfoundland, the provincial government named the Records Management Centre in Pleasantville the Burnham Gill Building. Gill was also the organizer of the Blackhead Methodist Church Historical Committee, founded in 1982. Mr Gill and his wife now live in Kingston, Ontario.

Source: Encyclopedia of Newfoundland and Labrador, J.R. Smallwood, Editor. Vol 2. (1988) pp. 523-4.

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