Tourism, Culture and Recreation
December 14, 2009
The following statement was given today in the
House of Assembly by the Honourable Terry French,
Minister of Tourism Culture and Recreation:
Recent Discoveries in Cupids
Highlighted
Mr. Speaker, I rise in this Honourable House today to
update you on recent discoveries pertaining to the
archaeological dig in Cupids, and plans to celebrate
that community�s 400th anniversary in 2010.
Mr. Speaker, Cupids is the birthplace of English Canada;
the site of the oldest English colony established in
this country. In 1995, archaeologist Bill Gilbert and
his team from the Baccalieu Trail Heritage Corporation
discovered the original site of John Guy�s 1610 Cupers
Cove Plantation and, since that time, more than 145,000
artifacts have been unearthed and catalogued. The team
has discovered the remains of the dwelling house and
storehouse built by John Guy in 1610, three other early
17th century structures, evidence of a blacksmith�s
shop, a cemetery, a stone defensive wall and � just this
fall � what may be the remains of a gun battery.
There is also a will, Mr. Speaker, recently discovered
in the British National Archives, of a man named James
Hill, perhaps one of the first Cupers Cove colonists �
or most certainly a direct descendant. The will, written
at Cupids, and dated March 4, 1674, provides valuable
information about Cupids in the 17th century.
These discoveries have brought even more media attention
to Cupids, following last month�s visit of their Royal
Highnesses, the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of
Cornwall. All this bodes well for the planned Cupids400
celebration in 2010, which will include a number of
special events and activities, and culminate in
week-long festivities to be held August 17 to 22.
Mr. Speaker, the Cupids400 celebration is not just a
plan to mark an historic event. This will be a
significant milestone in the history of our province;
one that we expect will boost tourism and generate
future economic opportunities. This is a chance for us
to showcase to the world the rich history, heritage and
culture which exists in Cupids and throughout
Newfoundland and Labrador.
The province has, to date, budgeted more than $3.8
million towards this anniversary event and activities,
and in the construction of a Cupids Legacy Centre. The
centre will be the future home of the Cupids museum, the
archaeology lab, and interpretative exhibits focusing on
our early English history. It is an investment in
Cupids; an investment in the economic future of
surrounding areas, and an investment in ourselves.
Mr. Speaker, it is high time the true significance of
John Guy�s Plantation in Cupids was recognized
provincially, nationally and internationally, and I
invite all of my colleagues in this House to promote
this upcoming occasion at every opportunity, and to
celebrate with us in 2010.
2009 12 14
2:05 p.m.
