Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development
June 27, 2016
Celebrating Our Heritage
Federal and Provincial Governments Recognize 150th Anniversary of the Laying of the First Transatlantic Cable
In recognition of the 150th anniversary of the first successful transatlantic cable landing on July 27 and to ensure the milestone is appropriately recognized for years to come, the Government of Canada and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador are investing in the Town of Heart's Content event celebrations. The announcement was made in Heart's Content today by the Honourable Steve Crocker, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, in behalf of the Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development, and the Honourable Judy Foote, federal Minister of Public Services and Procurement and Member of Parliament for Bonavista - Burin - Trinity, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA).
The Heart's Content 150 Celebration is a week of events from July 25 to 31 co-hosted by the Town of Heart's Content, the Heart's Content Mizzen Heritage Society, and Provincial Historic Sites. On July 27, special activities will take place at the Cable Station including a historical re-enactment of the cable landing. The Heart's Content 150 Celebrations will build on the community's rich heritage assets and lay the foundation for building a stronger tourism product in Heart's Content and the surrounding area for the future.
The Government of Canada is investing $33,590 through ACOA for the celebrations while the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is investing $34,700.
The first transatlantic cable was laid between Valencia Island, Ireland, and Heart's Content on July 27, 1866, instantly transforming global communications and establishing Heart's Content as an international communication centre up until the closure of the facility in 1965. The cable station building (which consisted of an 1875 office building and 1918 extension) was subsequently purchased by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and was designated a Provincial Historic Site in 1974.
Several initiatives have been undertaken for the 150th celebrations, some of which include:
- Enhancements to the Heart's Content Cable Station Provincial Historic Site;
- Heart's Content 150 Celebrations - July 25-31, 2016; and,
- Development of the former Heart's Content United Church into a Community Arts Centre.
The Provincial Government has invested a total of $375,000 to make enhancements to the Heart's Content Cable Station Provincial Historic Site. The funding supported a multi-year exterior building refurbishment project which began in 2014. Phase 1 was for extensive masonry restoration of the building. Phase II completed repairs to the slate roof and also included interior enhancements to improve visitor experiences, including new permanent exhibits.
In addition to investments in the Town of Heart's Content, the Government of Canada and Government of Newfoundland and Labrador's previous investments in the Heart's Content Mizzen Heritage Society Inc. will also benefit these celebrations. Through an investment of $335,000 for this initiative ($188,092 from ACOA and $182,227 from Business, Tourism, Culture and Recreation), the society is undertaking the redevelopment of the former Hayfield Memorial United Church (circa 1887) into the community arts centre incorporating a 150-seat performance area, gallery and workshop space and a social/tea room.
Quotes
"The transatlantic cable revolutionized global communications and pioneered the internet as we know it today. This historic anniversary provides a special opportunity to highlight one of the province's significant stories by profiling the Heart's Content Cable Station Provincial Historic Site and the community of Heart's Content. The cable station opened the world to those who lived and worked here and remains a landmark time capsule of the communications technology that connected us all right up to the 1960s. As a government, we are pleased to be working with the Town of Heart's Content and the Heart's Content Mizzen Heritage Society to recognize the 150th anniversary of the first successful transatlantic cable."
- The Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development
"Our Government believes that public investment is the best way to spur economic growth, job creation and broad-based prosperity. This investment positions Heart's Content as a focal point of Newfoundland and Labrador's historic role in Trans-Atlantic communications, builds on the community's assets and strengths and showcases the town as part of a regional and provincial tourism destination."
- The Honourable Judy Foote, Minister of Public Services and Procurement and MP for Bonavista - Burin - Trinity on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA
"The laying of the transatlantic telegraph cable in Heart's Content in 1866 is a significant event in the history of Newfoundland and Labrador. The cable made the impossible possible, connecting North America and Europe, and revolutionizing our ability to communicate. This summer marks 150 years since the cable was landed. The funding announced today, through a partnership with BTCRD and ACOA, provides the opportunity to commemorate and celebrate this momentous occasion. I encourage everyone to join us this summer in beautiful Heart's Content."
- The Honourable Steve Crocker, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture and MHA for Carbonear - Trinity -Bay de Verde
"The Transatlantic Cable was successfully landed at Heart's Content on July 27, 1866. The dawning of a new era in global communications, it was an event that changed the world and our community of Heart's Content. For the next 100 years, our community was a hub in the worldwide communications network. One hundred and fifty years later, we are extremely proud of the vital and historic role that our town has played in global communications. Today, the Heart's Content Cable Station still plays an important role as a museum of early communications and a major visitor attraction. We invite you to come help us celebrate 150 years of making history!"
- Fred Cumby, Mayor of Heart's Content
"In 1866, Heart's Content was the site of a revolution in communications which transformed the world. However this transformation was twofold. This vibrant fishing village would see a building boom, a fulltime doctor and a new school. A cricket field and a tennis court would be constructed. Curling and football matches would be held. Though advancing technology has seen the termination of cable communications in Heart's Content, the physical remnants remain. The legacy left behind has been a catalyst for a growing tourist industry."
- John Warren, Vice President of the Heart's Content Mizzen Heritage Society
QUICK FACTS
- 2016 marks the 150th anniversary of the first successful transatlantic cable landing.
- The Town of Heart's Content is receiving $68,290 for celebrations from the Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador for the celebrations.
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Media contacts:
Tansy Mundon
Director of Communications Department of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development 709-729-4570, 693-1865 tansymundon@gov.nl.ca |
Paul McGrath
Director, Communications ACOA NL 709-772-2984 paul.mcgrath@canada.ca |
Alice Cumby
Town Clerk Town of Heart's Content 709-583-2491 heartscontent@persona.ca |
2016 06 27 3:45 p.m.