ReportonPeople,Places&CultureWorkshopComebyChance

June19-20,2019

2

CoverPhoto:Cooper’sCove,ComebyChance

3

Introduction:HeritageNL’sprogram,“People,Places&Culture”isdesignedtoassistcommunitiestoidentifytheirculturalassetsandtoconsiderwaystoprotectanddevelopthem.Itisbasedonarecognitionthatheritage/culturalassetsaresomeofthestrongestelementsthatacommunityhasto:defineitsuniquecharacter;createneweconomicopportunitiesand;enhancethequalityoflifeforresidentsandinstilllocalpride.Thesenotesrepresenttheoutcomeofa“People,Places&Culture“Workshop,facilitatedbyHeritageNLinComebyChanceonJune18-19,2019whichwasattendedby16individualsfromthecommunityonthefirstnightandasmallergroupincludingsomepartnerorganizationsforthestrategysession.Theworkshopcomprisedtwoparts:I)aculturalmappingactivitythatconsideredthecommunity’stangibleandintangibleculturalassetsattendedbyaround16individualsand;II)asessiontoexploreopportunitiesforprotecting,safeguardinganddevelopingtheseassetsthatincludedrepresentationfromstakeholders(LegacyCoastDMO;ACOA;TCII).Thelatteractivityinvolvedidentifyingthemesandclustersofculturalassetsthatemergedfromthemappingsession.

ParticipantsinPeople,Places&CultureStrategySession

4

WhatParticipantsWantfromWorkshop:

• buildtourism• preserveandpromotecommunityheritageassets• supportinter-generationalconnectionsinthecommunity• supporttheeffortsoftheheritagecommittee

I.Themes/Clusters1.WhatPeopledidforWork(andlinkagetostrategiclocationontheisthmusthatsupportedtheseactivities)

• Fishery:barrelmaking;lobsterfactories;schooner;• Sawmilling:formakingbarrelcomponentsandfortherailway(ties)• Farming• CottageHospital• Railway• OilRefinery

ComebyChanceOilRefinery,atnearlyahalfcenturyold,hashadamajoreconomicandsocialimpactonComebyChanceandtheregion.

5

2.EarlySettlement&FamilyHistories

• TheGut(firstsettledareaincommunity,nowabandoned,Adamsfamily)andavailabilityofresourcesthatsupportedsettlement(riverwithitsfish(salmon)andbirds);ferryserviceprovidedacrosstheGut(JimmyGilbertprovidingteaandabun)

• OldestCemeteryattheGut• Cooper’sCovesettledbytheGilbertFamily–fishing;siteofacooper’sshop;4WWI

servicemen)

CemeteryattheGut HistoricphotoofresidentsoftheGut(photoscourtesyofRonWhite)

3.SpecialPlacesintheLandscape

• PowderHornHill(AboriginalandColonialHistory)withgoodviewsoftheisthmusandneighbouringcommunities;popularhikingandhuntingarea)

• Glenview(peopleusedtorowacrosstheriver;icefloods;homeoftheHoldensandbeforethantheHardings;lotsofHoldenfamilystoriesthat“Nan”knows;farmingthathappenedheresuchasdairythatsuppliedthecottagehospitalalongwithhorsesandgardens;rootcellars;Dr.Kennedy

• GlenviewRiver(naturalheritage;guardianoftheriverandbirds)

6

• Jonathan’sLookout• Watson’sPond(popularcabinandfishingarea)• ComebyChanceRiver(salmonriverwithasalmoncounterbackinthe1970s,

swimming/camping,pumphousestosupplywatertothesubdivision)• Placesassociatedwiththerailway:RailwayMileageMarkers(stillusedtoidentify

specificareasinandoutsideofthecommunity);theformerrailwaybed(theTrack)whichisusedbypeopletoaccessthelandscape(e.g.,pickberries,ATVs,walking,goingtoGlenview);formerstructures(station,tracks,speedershack)

• Cooper’sCove:siteofformercoopershopthatmadebarrelsforthefishery;placetotieupboats;placetofishforConnors(children);siteofformerlobsterfactory

• Ponds(SidingPond;SwitchPond;HalfMoonPond)• BarachoisBrook–sawmillbefore1901• ConcretebuildingconstructedasalinerboardmillundertheSmallwood

industrializationprogramthatneveropened.• Anumberoflocalstores/shopsthatclosedwiththeMoratorium(mostprovided

credittofishermenwhichendedwhenthecodfisherywasclosed)• BerryPickingGrounds–peoplestoppedusingthembecauseofthe

environmentalimpactsoftherefinery• Otter/AlderPool–aplaceofgentlewaterwherepeoplewentswimming• UncleJackie’sMill• Siteoftheoldschoolandallofitsmemories• ClearyHikingTrail

4.People(e.g.,whohavetraditionalknowledge)&Traditions

• BettyGilbert–folkhero,shopowner,operatedthemail,BettyGilbert’sPond• Storyofthe“Jacko-Lantern”–greenlightthatcouldbeseenatComebyChance

Point• signingtosnails:“Snail,snail,comeoutofyourhole,yourmudderandfadderis

blackascoal,thecowscomehomeinthemorning.”• KittyPaul:excellentbaker,cook,storytellerwhohadafarm,• AlexanderGilbert(WWIWarmemorial)• BigSantaClausparade• “BytheOtterPool”RexBenson

7

II.RecommendationsforProtecting,Sharing,andDevelopingComebyChance’sHeritageAssetsComebyChancehasasettledhistoryextendingbackapproximately200yearswithanearlierhistorymarkedbythepresenceoftheBeothukandtheFrench,andbyFrench-Englishconflictsfromthelate17th–early18thcenturyperiod.ThecommunityisprobablybestknownfortheestablishmentoftheComebyChancerefinerynearlyahalfcenturyagowhichsawasignificantinfluxofresidentswhowenttoworkthere.TodayitisaprosperouscommunitywithmanyofitsresidentsemployedattheComebyChanceRefineryandotherindustrialenterprisesalongwithretireeswhoworkedinthoseindustries.RecentlythecommunityestablishedanactiveheritagecommitteedevotedtocollectingandpreservingthehistoryandheritageofComebyChance.Inmanyways,themostcompellingstories–andthosethatmakeComebyChanceunique–arethoserelatedtoitsindustrialhistory.Asanexample,theRefineryislikelywhatthecommunityisbestknownforaroundtheprovinceyetfewlikelyknowthestoryofitsdevelopment,itshistory,itseconomic,socialandenvironmentalimpacts,andthewayoflifethatitsupported.Preservingandpresentingheritageissomethingthatacommunitydoesfirstandforemostforitself:toencourageandsupportcommunityprideandidentity;toprotectimportantheritageassets;toenhancethequalityoflifeforresidents.Whenacommunityissuccessfulatdoingthesethings,visitorswillnaturallybeattractedtothatcommunityanddevelopmentopportunitiesmayemerge.HeritageNLrecommendsthatthefocusofthecommunity’sheritageeffortsshouldbeongatheringandsharingitsheritagewithlocalresidents.Whenacommunityprotectsandvaluesitsheritage,opportunitiesemergeforlocalresidentstodeveloplocalenterprisesbethatintheformofcraftsbasedontraditionalskillsorculturaltourism.1.OralHistoryInitiativesComebyChanceisarelativelyyoungcommunityandmanypeoplearestillalivewhoremembersomeoftheimportantmilestonesinitseconomichistory.Itwouldbeusefultoundertakeasystematicoralhistorygatheringinitiativethatcapturessomeofthekeyaspectsofthishistory:

i. TheRefinery–itsfounding;historyofownership;labourhistory;localimpactsii. TheCottageHospital–historyofwhoworkedthere;communityimpacts

iii. HistoryofLocalBusinesses–storiesaboutthebusinessesthatsupportedthe

communityinthepastandwhytheyeventuallycloseddowniv. Seniorresidents–capturingthestoriesandmemoriesofolderresidents

8

HeritageNL’sIntangibleCulturalHeritage(ICH)Officecanprovideassistancewithplanningoralhistoryprojectsandprovidingtrainingtoconductthem. Onlineoralhistoryresourcesareavailableatwww.ichblog.ca2.ProtectionforTheGutandCooper’sCoveThesetwoareas,representingtheearliestsettledpartsofthecommunity,representculturallandscapeswithmeaningforthecommunity.Whilelittleinthewayofinfrastructureremains(asmallcemeteryinthecaseofTheGutandremainsofawharfandaboathouseinCooper’sCove)theyareplacesofmemoryandlikelyalsoarchaeologicalremains.BotharelocatedalongtheClearyHikingTrail.Thereiscurrentlynodevelopmentinthisareawhichallowspublicaccesstothesescenicareasofshoreline.TheareaispresentlyprotectedunderaMunicipalWetlandStewardshipAreaagreementwhichaddressesnaturalfeaturesandqualities.Considerationmaybegiventoreviewingthetownplanand/ortheStewardshipAgreementto:

• expandprotectedshorelineareasifdeemednecessary;• tolistculturalassetstobeprotected;• toensurethatdevelopmentcontrolsaresufficienttoguardagainstdevelopmentthat

negativelyimpactsthenaturalandculturalheritageassetsoftheareaandthatpotentiallyimpactspublicaccess.

PublicinvolvementtoreviewtheStewardshipAreaandMunicipalPlanwillalsohelptobuildbuy-inforexistingandfutureconservationandprotectionmeasures.AsthecemeteryisnoteasilyaccessibleexceptbyboatpassageovertheGut,thereislikelylittlevalueinundertakingafullrestoration.Allowingoldcemeteriestonaturalizeispartofthestoryofsettledplacesthatarenowabandoned.ThebestoptionwouldbetoensurethattheinscriptionsoftheexistinggravemarkersarefullyrecordedandtheresultssharedwiththeNLFamilyHistorySocietyifthishasnotalreadybeendone.Aswell,periodiceffortsmaybemadetokeepthemarkerssomewhatclearofvegetation.HeritageNLcanprovidedirectiononthis.3.SharingComebyChance’shistoryandstorieswiththeCommunitySharinglocalhistory,storiesandtraditionswithresidentsisagoodwayto:keepthemalive;buildcommunityidentityandpride;groundpeopleinaparticularplace;encouragethemtobegoodstewardsoftheirnaturalandculturalheritageresources.Doingthisinanengagingwaythatappealstoallgenerationsisthechallenge.Traditionalapproacheslikemuseumdisplaysoftendon’tconnectinasignificantwaywithlocals,particularlyyouth.Iftheydovisit,theycomeonce,rarelytoreturnifdisplaysarenotchangedfairlyfrequently.SomesuggestionsforsharingthehistoryandtraditionsofComebyChancewithresidentsinclude:

9

1)Presentationofartifacts–periodicrotating,themedexhibitsinoneormorespaceswhereresidentsregularlycongregatecanbeagoodwaytoshareartifacts.Ideally,thesewillbeaccompaniedbytext(inaprintedordigitalformat)toprovidethecontextforartifacts.Flexibledisplaycasesandpanelscouldbeconstructedtoaccommodatethesedisplays.VirtualMuseumexhibitscanalsobedevelopedtosharelocalstorieswithabroaderaudience(providecontactinfo).2)LectureSeries–periodictalksondifferenttopicsrelatedtolocalheritageandhistorycanbescheduled3)Mug-upSessions–residentsareinvitedtocometogetheroverteatosharewhattheyknowaboutaparticulartopicofcommunityhistoryortraditions.Forinformationonorganizinga“mugupsession”see:https://www.mun.ca/ich/resources/MUG_UP.pdf4)EncouragingyouthfromthecommunitytodoHeritageFairprojectsonlocaltopics5)WalkingTours–theHeritageCommitteeand/orknowledgeableindividualsfromComebyChancecouldoffertoursindifferentpartsofthecommunity.Thesecouldtaketheformofwalkingtours(eitherself-guidedwithabrochureorapporguided)thathighlightthenaturalandculturalheritageofthecommunity.TheconceptpresentedbyRonWhiteofahistorytouroftheGutandboil-upledbythehistoriccharacterofJimmyGilbertcouldbeofferedonatrialbasistogaugethelevelofinterest.Basedonitssuccess,theremaybeopportunitiestoofferitonamoreregularbasisandtopromoteittooutsiders.ConsiderationmightalsobegiventoprovidingatourofComebyChanceandtheWhiffenHeadfacilitytovisitors,perhapsintheformofaboattour

RonWhiteassumingtheroleofJohnGilbert(photocourtesyofRonWhite)

10

6)AdigitalheritagemapofComebyChancethatallowspeopletoexplorethedifferentplacesandstoriesinthecommunitycanbeagoodwaytosharewhatisspecialaboutthecommunitywithawideraudience.Forasamplesee:http://www.arcgis.com/apps/Shortlist/index.html?appid=311a7a61299c463bae05001f21babf2e4.DevelopingTourismTourismdevelopmentinacommunityrequiresdevelopedattractionsandsupportingvisitorservicessuchasfoodandaccommodationalongwithindividualswillingandinterestedtooffertheseservices.ComebyChanceisnotcurrentlypositionedtoofferthese.Asindicated,itisrecommendedthatthecommunitypreserveandshareitsheritageforandwithitsownresidents.Thismayinspiresomelocalstoexploretourism-relatedbusinessesdowntheroad.Thatbeingsaid,effortstodevelopandpromotetourismarebestconsideredonaregionalbasis.Whileasinglecommunitymaynothavesignificantdevelopedtourismassetsoramenities,aclusterofcommunitiesmaybeabletocreateatourismdraw.ItisrecommendedthattheTownofComebyChancemeetwithneighbouringcommunitiessuchasSunnysideandArnold’sCovetodiscusswhateachmay,potentially,bringtothetableintermsofencouragingtourismvisitationtotheregion.

11

AppendixI–ResourcesforCommunity-basedHeritageInitiatives:Thereisawidevarietyofprogramsandresourcesthatcansupportinitiativestoprotect,safeguard,anddevelopcommunityheritageassets.Theseinclude:HeritageNLOffersprogramsandservicestopreservehistoricplacesandsafeguardintangibleculturalheritage:

• thedesignationofRegisteredHeritageStructuresandRegisteredHeritageDistrictswhichcanhelpprotecthistoricplacesandstructures

• fundingprogramsforthepreservationofdesignatedproperties• assistancewithmunicipaldesignationprogramsandheritageprotectionmeasures• technicalassistanceonheritagepreservation• assistancewithinventoryingtangibleandintangibleheritageresources• assistancewithdevelopingandimplementingoralhistoryprojectsandprojectsthat

celebrate,transmitanddevelopintangibleculturalheritageresources• theProvincialHistoricalCommemorationsProgramthatrecognizeshistoricplaces,

persons,andeventsofprovincialsignificancealongwithculturaltraditionsandtraditionbearers

• Formoreinformationonourprogramssee:www.heritagenl.caorcontactusattel.709-739-1892

GovernmentofNewfoundland&LabradorThereareavarietyofprovincialprogramsthatcansupportculturalprojectsandinitiatives:CulturalEconomicDevelopmentProgram(CEDP)–offersfundingfortheplanningandimplementationofheritageprojectsinareassuchasinventorying,conservation,andinterpretationFormoreinformationsee:https://www.tcii.gov.nl.ca/heritage/cedp/index.htmlRegionalDevelopmentPrograms-TheDepartmentofTourism,Culture,IndustryandInnovationprovidessupporttoorganizationsbywayofnon-repayablecontributionsforprojectsaimedatsupportingeconomicdevelopment,innovationandcapacitybuildinginallregionsoftheprovince.TheRegionalDevelopmentFundiscomprisedoftwocomponents:theRegionalDevelopmentProgram(RDF)andCommunityCapacityBuilding.RDFcansupportculturalheritageprojectsthatwillsupportlong-termeconomicdevelopmentinacommunity.TheCommunityCapacityBuildingfundcanprovidefundingforprojectplanningandbuildinglocalcapacitytoundertakedevelopmentwork.Formoreinformationsee:https://www.tcii.gov.nl.ca/regionaldev/RDF.html

12

TourismProductDevelopment - The2017-20ProvincialTourismProductDevelopmentPlanreflectsthecollectiveprivate-publictourismdevelopmentprioritiesfortheprovincialtourismindustry,alongwithintegratingtheregionalDestinationDevelopmentPlansforSt.John’s/NortheastAvalon,Eastern,Central,WesternandLabrador.TheProvincialTourismProductDevelopmentPlancanbefoundhere:https://www.tcii.gov.nl.ca/tourism/tourism_development/pdf/17-20_prov_prod_dev_plan.pdfTheWesternDestinationDevelopmentPlancanbefoundhere:https://www.tcii.gov.nl.ca/tourism/tourism_development/pdf/TDVAA-Western-Sept-2015.pdf TheonlinetoolkitCreatingExperiencesprovidesinformationaboutthebusinessopportunitiesthatsurroundexperientialtravel.Itcanbefoundhere:https://www.tcii.gov.nl.ca/tourism/tourism_development/pdf/creat_exp_toolkit.pdf TheLegendaryCoastsofEasternNewfoundlandDestinationManagementOrganization(DMO)isamembershiporganizationrepresentingtourismoperatorsintheregion(https://legendarycoasts.com)OtherProvincialDepartmentPrograms:Employment-relatedprograms:TheDepartmentofAdvancedEducation,SkillsandLabouroffersprogramssuchasJCPwhichhavebeenusedforawidevarietyofheritageinitiativesincluding:restorationofhistoricbuildings;constructionofinfrastructure;oralhistoryandinventoryingprojects.TheSelf-Employmentprogramprovidesfinancialsupporttoeligibleparticipantswhiletheyarestartingupabusiness.Youthemploymentprogramscansupportthehiringofstudentsandinternsforculturalprojects.Formoreinformationsee: https://www.aesl.gov.nl.ca/forcommunitypartners/default.html.TheDepartmentofMunicipalAffairsandEnvironmentofferstheCommunityEnhancementEmploymentProgramwhichhasbeenusedtoprovidelabourforvariousheritageinitiatives.Formoreinformationsee:https://www.mae.gov.nl.ca/emp_support/ceep.htmlGovernmentofCanadaThefederalgovernmenthasanumberofprograms,invariousdepartments,thatcansupportculturalinitiatives:ACOAsupportscommunityeconomicdevelopmentthroughsuchprogramsastheInnovativeCommunitiesFund(ICF)andtheBusinessDevelopmentPartnership(BDP).Ithasbeenusedbyvariouscommunitiesintheprovincetosupportenhancementsandinfrastructureinitiativesthatwillsupporteconomicdevelopment(e.g.,adaptivereuseofheritagebuildings,culturalinfrastructure,publicimprovements)http://www.acoa-apeca.gc.ca/eng/ImLookingFor/ProgramInformation/Pages/Home.aspx

13

NewHorizonsoffersgrantprogramstocommunityorganizationsthatsupportseniorsinanumberofways:empowerment;encouragingthemtosharetheirknowledge,skillsandexperiencewithothersinthecommunity;andenhancingseniors'socialwell-beingandcommunityvitality.Grantshavebeenusedtosupportinitiativessuchasoralhistoryprojectsandsharingknowledgewithyoungergenerations.https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/programs/new-horizons-seniors.htmlTheCanadaCulturalSpacesFund(CCSF)offeredbytheDepartmentofCanadianHeritagesupportstheimprovementofphysicalconditionsforarts,heritage,cultureandcreativeinnovation.TheFundsupportsrenovationandconstructionprojects,theacquisitionofspecializedequipmentandfeasibilitystudiesrelatedtoculturalspaces.Ithasbeenusedtosupporttheadaptivereuseofheritagepropertiesforthepresentationoftheartsandheritage(e.g.,performanceandinterpretivespaces).https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/services/funding/cultural-spaces-fund.htmlYoungCanadaWorksadministeredbySharedServicesCanadaoffersemploymentgrantsandinternshipstoeligibleemployerstohirestudentsandrecentgraduates.Itcanbeusedinavarietyofwaystosupportheritageinitiativesuchas(inventorying,research,interpretation).https://young-canada-works.canada.ca/Account/LoginStaffatHeritageNLandintheArtsandHeritagedivisionoftheDepartmentofTourism,Culture,IndustryandInnovationcanprovideadditionalinformationonprojectplanningandaccessingresourcesforcommunityculturalheritageprojects.