NLIS 1
August 21, 2002
(Tourism, Culture and Recreation)
(Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs)
 

Exhibit on Moravian presence in Labrador opens in St. John�s

Julie Bettney, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, and Ernest McLean, Minister of Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs, announced today the opening of the travelling exhibit, Labrador Through Moravian Eyes - 250 years of Art, Photographs and Records, at the Provincial Museum of Newfoundland and Labrador in St. John�s. The exhibit was established to mark the anniversary of the arrival of the Moravian Church on the north coast of Labrador and is part of the Access North - Labrador 2002 celebrations.

"The exhibit provides tremendous insight into what life was like in Labrador for the Inuit and Europeans when the Moravians first arrived," said Minister Bettney. "The Moravians were meticulous record keepers and, through their records, maps, art and photography, we are told the 250-year story that is part of the great history of Labrador."

Access to the vast historical records held by the Moravian Archives became possible following the reunification of Germany. Housed at the Archives is a unique collection of approximately 1000 glass-plate photo negatives which were taken by the Moravian Missionaries in Labrador from the 1870s to the 1930s. Also preserved are rare manuscript maps of northern Labrador and architects� drawings, plans, and paintings of missionary settlements in Labrador. The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador was instrumental in copying and preserving these rare images.

"When the Moravians arrived on the coast of Labrador in 1752 to explore the possibilities of settling and establishing a permanent mission, little did they know what impact they would have in this part of the world," said Minister McLean. "While other Europeans had visited before, the Moravians were the first to stay. This traveling exhibit highlights their important contribution to the people of northern Labrador."

Approximately 250 of the photographs and art will be displayed through an exhibit. It is accompanied by a historical narrative which places these images into a Labrador historical context. Accompanying the photographic exhibit is a photo album containing a full set of all 1000 photographs in the Moravian collection. Related products are also a coffee table book and a CD-ROM version of the exhibit.

"Several hundred residents and visitors to this province have already viewed the exhibit in Labrador and in St. Anthony. I encourage all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to visit the exhibit when it stops in their area," said Minister Bettney. "The Moravian presence is another important part of the history and culture of this province."

The exhibit will be in St. John�s until September 8. It will be on display at the Mary March Regional Museum in Grand Falls-Windsor September 11-15 and then at Corner Brook Museum and Archives September 18-23. Following the tour on the island, the exhibit will return to Labrador and the schedule will be:

Labrador Straits                September 25 - September 29
Mary's Harbour                 October 1 - October 3
Port Hope Simpson           October 5 - October 6
Charlottetown                    October 8 - October 10
Cartwright                         October 12 - October 13
Labrador City                    October 16 - October 20
Happy Valley/Goose Bay   October 23 - November 3

Media contact:

Carmel Turpin, Communications, Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, (709) 729-0928

Bert Pomeroy, Communications, Department of Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs, (709) 896-8668

NOTE TO EDITORS: The official opening of the exhibit will be held 7 p.m. Wednesday, August 21, 3rd Floor, Provincial Museum of Newfoundland and Labrador. All media are welcome to attend.

2002 08 21                                 10:10 a.m.


SearchHomeBack to GovernmentContact Us


All material copyright the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. No unauthorized copying or redeployment permitted. The Government assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of any material deployed on an unauthorized server.
Disclaimer/Copyright/Privacy Statement