Latest data from Statistics Canada indicates that 31 new titles were published in the province in 1998/99 and 30 books were reprinted. In addition, almost 760 titles were still available in the market from previous publication years.
Book publishing serves as a means of preserving the culture of Newfoundland and Labrador from generation to generation, formerly passed on by word of mouth. While the hallmark of the industry remains in cultural and literary works, expansion has also occurred into the educational market. Breakwater Books recently developed a language arts series featuring the work of local authors called
Land, Sea and Time for the provincial high school program. The company is also developing religious education resources for elementary grades. In the last decade, the publishing industry has also expanded into educational software and multimedia products as well as numerous travel guidebooks and children’s books.
The past decade has seen a substantial expansion of heritage attractions in the province. Heritage is becoming an increasing part of the province’s tourism product and an important contributor to regional economies. Heritage industries are generally linked to historic and archaeological sites, museums, archives and other unique sites and buildings that have been prominent in the province’s culture and history.
The number of community museums and archives has expanded considerably over the last decade, rising from about 63 operations in 1992 to over 130 today. The quality of these facilities has also improved mainly due to government support for conservation, interpretation and exhibit development. The expansion of “living history” initiatives complements these facilities. Many of these are closely linked to museum activities and serve to enrich a visitor’s experience. Over the past five years, 43 living interpretation projects have been offered in the province including, the “Faces of Fort Royal” at Castle Hill and the “Summer In The Bight” festival in Trinity Bight.
The province’s community museums receive almost 300,000 visitors a year. This is in addition to an average of over 250,000 visitors to provincially and federally operated heritage sites and attractions.
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Credit: (Tuckamore Books-Creative Book Publishing)
Sailor: The Hangashore Newfoundland Dog, a children’s story centred around the famous heroics of the Newfoundland Dog, is presently in its third printing. |
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| Heritage tourism infrastructure has expanded considerably due to the support of government, volunteers, development groups and historic societies, and through corporate sponsorships. Selected major investments are presented in the table below. In 2002, work will continue on “The Rooms”, an over $47 million cultural facility. This building, located in St. John’s, will be the permanent home for provincial artifacts, archival materials and local art (see
picture in construction). The facility is expected to open in 2004. In addition, the results of an industry study to value the contribution of heritage and the arts to the provincial economy will be released in Spring 2002. |
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Selected Heritage Infrastructure Developments
Over The Past Decade
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Colony of Avalon, archaeological site and centre (Ferryland)
Labrador Interpretation Centre (North West River)
Norstead Replica Viking Port ( L’Anse aux Meadows)
Matthew Replica and Interpretation Centre (Bonavista)
Barbour Living Heritage Village (Newtown)
Joseph R. Smallwood Centre (Gambo)
Banting Memorial Centre (Musgrave Harbour)
Hawthorne Cottage National Historic Site (Brigus)
Ryan Premises National Historic Site (Bonavista)
Red Bay National Historic Site Centres (Red Bay)
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