The Heritage Society
With its landmark island, its harbour and its streetscapes, Carbonear boasts beautiful vernacular architecture, so in 1979, when it appeared that possibly one of its historic properties was being sold and its fate undecided, a group of concerned citizens met and made a commitment to protect and preserve the heritage of their town. On February 19th, 1979, the Carbonear Heritage Society was formed with an affirmation to "protect and preserve Carbonear's natural and built heritage".
This small group would be responsible for raising the heritage consciousness of the community. As with any new group in the early stages of its development, a constitution, charitable organization status, membership and fund-raising projects would need to be put in place. These were planned, improvised, and undertaken with any and all available resources. The society became a member of other umbrella groups within the heritage sector and could therefore avail of numerous workshops on issues pertinent to heritage preservation.
The Society now has a permanent home in the "Old Post Office" at 182 Water Street. This building is open every summer during July and August. The Society meets here monthly and all persons interested in preserving the history of Carbonear are welcome to attend or become members.
This small group would be responsible for raising the heritage consciousness of the community. As with any new group in the early stages of its development, a constitution, charitable organization status, membership and fund-raising projects would need to be put in place. These were planned, improvised, and undertaken with any and all available resources. The society became a member of other umbrella groups within the heritage sector and could therefore avail of numerous workshops on issues pertinent to heritage preservation.
The Society now has a permanent home in the "Old Post Office" at 182 Water Street. This building is open every summer during July and August. The Society meets here monthly and all persons interested in preserving the history of Carbonear are welcome to attend or become members.
The symbol of the Carbonear Heritage Society is that of a schooner and its reflected negative image. The schooner represents the present and what we have. Its negative image represents the past and what we have lost. It was designed by Carbonear artist Sid Butt, a founding member of the society.
Carbonear
Carbonear is one of the oldest settlements in Newfoundland, being mentioned as early as 1550. Merchants from England, Ireland, and Wales began to flock to Carbonear in the 17th and 18th centuries. Carbonear quickly became the commercial center of Conception Bay, due partly to the immense fishing trade carried on here. In 1705 of Carbonear was one of the top five fishing centers on the island. Ships arrived from all over to trade cargo and supplies.
Carbonear Island was a natural defense for settlers in the days when pirates like Peter Easton regularly attacked coastal settlements. It also kept people safe from French invaders such as D'Iberville. Carbonear Island was the only location in Newfoundland that successfully defended against the invaders. Throughout many conflicts the Island was only captured once in its history, during a surprise attack in 1762. More recently the island was the home of a lighthouse that guided ships into the harbour, but today the only inhabitants of the island are gulls.
In addition to it's reputation as a center of trade and frequent location on conflict Carbonear was also the site of many other legends, including the story of Princess Sheila Na Geira, an Irish princess who fell in love with the lieutenant of privateer Peter Easton and settled around Carbonear. These stories and many others remain along with many of the buildings which have existed in the town for many years. Despite the ebb and flow of economic conditions, Carbonear will never lose its link to its rich and colourful past.
Carbonear Island was a natural defense for settlers in the days when pirates like Peter Easton regularly attacked coastal settlements. It also kept people safe from French invaders such as D'Iberville. Carbonear Island was the only location in Newfoundland that successfully defended against the invaders. Throughout many conflicts the Island was only captured once in its history, during a surprise attack in 1762. More recently the island was the home of a lighthouse that guided ships into the harbour, but today the only inhabitants of the island are gulls.
In addition to it's reputation as a center of trade and frequent location on conflict Carbonear was also the site of many other legends, including the story of Princess Sheila Na Geira, an Irish princess who fell in love with the lieutenant of privateer Peter Easton and settled around Carbonear. These stories and many others remain along with many of the buildings which have existed in the town for many years. Despite the ebb and flow of economic conditions, Carbonear will never lose its link to its rich and colourful past.
Carbonear Island
As early as 1614 Carbonear Island proved its spectacular defensive capability when the pirate Peter Easton raided. Later the island became the refuge of the townspeople during the attacks of the French and, even later, during the raids by American privateers.
The fortification of the island in 1679 was to play an important role in sustaining an English stronghold against the French sieges of 1697, 1705 and 1762.
In the spring of 1696, Pierre d'Iberville received orders to destroy the English settlements in Newfoundland and his soldiers set out pillaging and destroying each settlement in turn. As the French advanced, people from the surrounding area took refuge on Carbonear Island and prepared to defend their makeshift evacuation centre.
The fortification of the island in 1679 was to play an important role in sustaining an English stronghold against the French sieges of 1697, 1705 and 1762.
In the spring of 1696, Pierre d'Iberville received orders to destroy the English settlements in Newfoundland and his soldiers set out pillaging and destroying each settlement in turn. As the French advanced, people from the surrounding area took refuge on Carbonear Island and prepared to defend their makeshift evacuation centre.
Montigny was detached at daybreak with 90 men in three sloops to a little harbour called Mosquito between Havre de Grace and Carboniere... passing around Carbonear Island... we saw the enemy ranged in large numbers who fired cannons at us... There appeared to be 300 men lodged in barracks which thry had built... This same day we summoned the people of the island, who answered that they would fight for this island. I believe we cannot take it.
-Abbé Beaudoin's diary, January 24, 1697
When they failed to capture Carbonear Island, d'Iberville and his soldiers burned and pillaged Carbonear.
In 1705 the French, under the command of de Soubercasse, again attacked the island without success. The third major assault by the French on July 13th & 14th, 1762 was successful. Carbonear Island was captured and its buildings burned. The guns were spiked and toppled over the cliffs.
When peace was restored between France and Britain, the people of Carbonear continued to use the island. They were no longer under threat of attack and built homes and fishing stages there. They had gardens, hayfields and animals as late a 1928. A lighthouse was manned until it was replaced by an automated light. Sailors who died at sea of small pox were buried on the island, lest they bring infection into the town.
The island remains difficult of access. The cliffs are steep with only a couple places to beach a boat. The unwary have been stranded there when the wind changed and made launching a boat impossible and a number of schooners were wrecked there over the years. The island that once hosted noisy battles is now encased in isolated silence, except for the hundreds of sea birds which continue to nest in the tussocky grasses and the ever present waves which pound against its rocky shores.
In 1705 the French, under the command of de Soubercasse, again attacked the island without success. The third major assault by the French on July 13th & 14th, 1762 was successful. Carbonear Island was captured and its buildings burned. The guns were spiked and toppled over the cliffs.
When peace was restored between France and Britain, the people of Carbonear continued to use the island. They were no longer under threat of attack and built homes and fishing stages there. They had gardens, hayfields and animals as late a 1928. A lighthouse was manned until it was replaced by an automated light. Sailors who died at sea of small pox were buried on the island, lest they bring infection into the town.
The island remains difficult of access. The cliffs are steep with only a couple places to beach a boat. The unwary have been stranded there when the wind changed and made launching a boat impossible and a number of schooners were wrecked there over the years. The island that once hosted noisy battles is now encased in isolated silence, except for the hundreds of sea birds which continue to nest in the tussocky grasses and the ever present waves which pound against its rocky shores.