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NLIS 1 June 27, 2002 (Tourism, Culture and Recreation) Minister officially opens the newest Provincial Historic Site Julie Bettney, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, today officially opened the Newman Wine Vaults Provincial Historic Site. The Wine Vaults are the 11th provincial historic site for Newfoundland and Labrador. The Province of Newfoundland and Labrador designated the Wine Vaults as a provincial historic site in 1974. In 1997, the Newfoundland Historic Trust approached the Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation to explore the possibility of having the Wine Vaults open for public benefit and enjoyment. "We were very pleased to initiate this partnership as government cannot protect and present our provincially significant heritage alone," said Minister Bettney. "Partners such as the Newfoundland Historic Trust are critical players for raising awareness of the importance of our heritage, raising funds and operating provincial historic sites." Newman and Company, which was based in Devon County, England, was first granted fishing rights in1601. Offices for this company were located in England and the company�s head office in Newfoundland was located at Harbour Breton in 1784 and operated until 1907. The outport offices dealt with the fish trade and the St. John�s office carried out the wine trade. The Wine Vaults, which are the only vaults of this kind in the province, were long used to mature Newman�s Port. The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, through the Comprehensive Economic Development Agreement (CEDA), along with such corporate sponsors as the Newfoundland and Labrador Liquor Corporation, provided funding for the planning, design and fabrication of the exhibits for this new provincial historic site. Interpretative displays, an identifying sign and structural improvements have also been added. "We are really pleased with the changes to the Wine Vaults," said Dale Jarvis, Chair of the Newman Wine Vaults Committee. "They keep the historical integrity of the site while offering an interesting and pleasurable experience to visitors." Today, Newman�s Port has become an icon and a tradition in this province. "We are pleased as a government to honour this family, the people who worked for this company and the long-standing contribution this enterprise made to the economic life of this province for over 400 years," said Minister Bettney. "Newman and Company was the longest operating business in Newfoundland and Labrador�s history. I encourage everyone to visit the Newman Wine Vaults Provincial Historic Site this summer and learn about this part of our history." Media contacts:
2002 06 27 3:35 p.m. |
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