NLIS 10
July 7, 2000
(Tourism, Culture and Recreation)

Interpretive program at Fort Townshend underway

Guided interpretive archaeology tours will begin on July 7 at the Fort Townshend site for members of the general public. Archaeologists continue to excavate the site, which contains the historic ruins of the late 18th Century fort which played a pivotal role in Britain's control of the Newfoundland fishery. Visitors to the site will have a first-hand look at the remains of the Fort, possibly one of the largest such fortifications in the British North American defense network. This location will be the future site of The Rooms, the $40 million provincial cultural centre and home of the Newfoundland Museum, the Provincial Archives of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Art Gallery of Newfoundland and Labrador, scheduled to open in the spring of 2003. The tour schedule, which will take place throughout the summer months, follows in this release.

The tours are being offered in response to growing interest in the excavation and findings at Fort Townshend. The archaeological process, which has been underway for several months, has uncovered parts of the original barracks, casemates, stores and the outstanding features of the Grand Battery Wall. Conservators are working full time to catalog the variety of fascinating artifacts which have been recovered. Archaeology will continue until the Grand Battery Wall and its surrounding features are fully exposed and recorded. Collectively, both the ruins and artifacts provide insights into life at Fort Townshend over its 200-year history, with outstanding opportunities for the interpretive program under development for The Rooms.

Guided tours this summer are the first step in the comprehensive interpretive program which is being developed to tell the story of Fort Townshend. Longer term concepts for the archaeology level of the new facility are now being developed (concept illustration attached).

Information extracted from the archaeological excavation has contributed significantly to the design of The Rooms structure which will begin construction this fall. Modifications have been made to respond to the historic features of the Fort remnants as they have emerged, in order to maximize the interpretive possibilities in the new facility. The finished structure will not only provide an outstanding visual experience for visitors, but will also protect forever the remains of key features of the Fort. In order to meet construction timelines, the tenders for the first phases in the process will be issued for bidding later this week.

Interpretive guides will be available to lead tours Wednesdays and Thursdays from 1:00 to 9:00 p.m., and Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The site is closed to the public on Mondays and Tuesdays. Those wishing to take a tour should meet with guide at the entrance on the northwest corner of the site. Parking is available in the lot adjacent to the Fire Hall.

Media contact:

Deborah Glassman, (709) 729-5002
Elizabeth Matthews, (709) 729-0928.

2000 07 07                 4:00 p.m.