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NLIS 4 November 3, 2005 (Tourism, Culture and Recreation)   The following is being distributed at the request of The Rooms Corporation: The Rooms and Portrait Gallery unveil the portraits of one of  Newfoundland and Labrador�s �Founding Fathers� Dr. Priscilla Renouf, chair of the Board of Directors of The Rooms Corporation, along with Library and Archives Canada, today announced the unveiling, for the first time in Canada and to the public, of the portraits, dating to circa 1689, of Rear-Admiral Sir John Berry and his wife, Lady Berry. The prominent acquisition represents the earliest oil portraits housed in the Library and Archives Canada collection. The portraits, until now, have remained with the Berry family in England. �This major addition to Canada�s Portrait Gallery symbolizes our commitment to collecting past works that strengthen our cultural landscape,� said Liza Frulla, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Minister responsible for Status of Women. �The Government of Canada, through the Canadian Cultural Property Export Review Board, is pleased to support the acquisition of this historical record.� �The partnership between The Portrait Gallery of Canada and The Rooms has made it possible for the Berry portraits to be available to Canadians for the first time,� said Dr. Renouf. �And, they are accompanied by rare artifacts dating to the seventeenth century from the collections of The Rooms Provincial Museum.� The unveiling highlighted the important role Rear-Admiral Sir John Berry played in the shaping of Newfoundland and Labrador. As a Captain in the British Royal Navy in 1675, Berry conducted the earliest surviving systematic census of Newfoundland and Labrador�s English shore, known as �Berry�s List�. He then recommended that settlers be allowed to stay on the island, despite plans at the time to have them evicted. �This prestigious acquisition is a significant one for the Library and Archives Canada collection and would not have been possible without the help of a number of donors,� stated the Librarian and Archivist of Canada, Ian E. Wilson. �It is with deep appreciation that we recognize the Government of Canada, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Estate of the Honourable Fabian O�Dea, Craig L. Dobbin, O.C., Jeanne d�Arc Sharp, as well as an anonymous donor for their important contributions.� Authenticated oil portraits of such prominent historical figures who have actually walked on Canadian soil and who have made such immense contributions to Canadian history very rarely come onto the market for sale. This portrait, painted by well-established Swedish portrait painter Michael Dahl, serves as the only portrait from the seventeenth century in the national portrait collection. �The significance of adding this portrait of Sir John Berry to Canada�s national portrait collection cannot be overestimated,� said the Director of the Portrait Gallery of Canada, Dr. Lilly Koltun. �We are honoured to have the opportunity to share this legacy with the people of Newfoundland and Labrador and with Canadians across the country.� The Portrait Gallery of Canada, announced by the federal government in 2001 as part of Library and Archives Canada, is dedicated to showcasing the many men and women from all walks of life who have helped to shape and continue to shape the country. Through exhibitions and collections, the Portrait Gallery promotes the values which define Canada and which continue to provide an enduring basis for our country's vision of nationhood now and into the future. The portraits and exhibition can be viewed from November 3, 2005, until January 6, 2006, at The Rooms. For specific dates and times, please visit www.therooms.ca. For more information about the Portrait Gallery of Canada or to find out more about this landmark acquisition, please visit: www.portraits.gc.ca. NOTE TO EDITORS: Photos of the Berry Portraits can be taken during The Rooms normal hours of operation. Media representatives are asked to check in at the service desk for further instructions. Media contact: Deanne Hayward, The Rooms Corporation, (709) 757-8070, 691-5681, deannehayward@therooms.ca Eva Major-Marothy, Portrait Gallery of Canada, (613) 995-9577, Eva.Major-Marothy@lac-bac.gc.ca 2005 11 03          11 :45 a.m.

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