Tourism, Culture and Recreation
August 10, 2007

Provincial Historic Sites Launches New Live History Program

As part of ongoing efforts to enhance its system of provincial historic sites, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has collaborated with Corner Boys Productions to launch two exciting new live history programs at the Quidi Vidi Battery and Commissariat House.

Beginning this weekend and continuing during weekends throughout August, these provincial historic sites will be presenting the following: Garden Party, written and directed by Mary Walsh, an invitation to the public to take part in a party circa 1830 at Commissariat House where visitors will have the opportunity to meet a number of historical characters and learn about life in St. John�s in that era; and The Mutiny of 1800, written and directed by Rick Boland, in which the audience will take part in a plot by the United Irishmen at the Quidi Vidi Battery to overthrow the civil and military administration.

"This exciting new programming will give visitors the opportunity to experience some of our provincial historic sites in a whole new fashion, to learn about out history, and to be entertained at the same time," said the Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation. "These two live history presentations will help make history come to life for people and draw still more visitors to our sites. I am extremely pleased to be collaborating with Mary Walsh and Rick Boland and Corner Boys Productions who bring such a high level of creativity and professionalism to this project."

The two programs are scheduled for weekends during the month of August: Saturdays at Quidi Vidi Battery and Sundays at Commissariat House, with show times at 5:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Prices: Adults $12 and children $8. For information and reservations, contact (709) 729-6730. Tickets are available at Commissariat House on Kings Bridge Road.

The $25,000 that will fund this new historical programming is part of a three-year investment of $2.2 million the Provincial Government is investing into 11 Provincial Historic sites across Newfoundland and Labrador. This will see preservation work at several sites as well as the development of new interpretive programs.

During the 2006 season, in excess of 67,800 visitors explored the province�s provincial historic sites, walking where the Beothuk people once walked, visiting the site of the first trans-Atlantic telegraph communication system, and experiencing nineteenth century living in several historic houses and military structures.

Under Budget 2006, government announced an investment of $17.6 million over three years to implement the province�s first cultural plan. Entitled Creative Newfoundland and Labrador: The Blueprint for Development and Investment in Culture, the plan outlines major policies and directions to preserve, support and develop our province�s rich cultural resources. For example, $3.8 million was earmarked for the improvement and revitalization of the province�s arts and culture centres, provincial historic sites, regional museums and other cultural institutions. Budget 2007 includes $675,000 for the continued revitalization of provincial historic sites.

For further information on the provincial historic sites of Newfoundland and Labrador, please call 1-800-563-6353 or visit the Web site at www.gov.nl.ca/tcr/historicsites.

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Media contact:
John Tompkins
Director of Communications
Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation
709 729-0928, 709 728-7762
jtompkins@gov.nl.ca

2007 08 10                                                      2:10 p.m.


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