Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador

Abbreviation	HFNL
Established	1984
Type	Crown corporation
Legal status	active
Purpose	architectural and intangible cultural heritage conservation
Headquarters	St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
Region	Newfoundland and Labrador
Website	http://heritagenl.ca/

Heritage NL (also known as the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador) is a special group that helps protect old buildings and traditions in Newfoundland and Labrador. It's a non-profit organization that works with the government.

Heritage NL was started in 1984. Its main goal is to help people understand and value the amazing old buildings and living traditions of the province. In 2018, the group started using the shorter name "Heritage NL" for its public work.

What Heritage NL Does

Heritage NL works to save and celebrate the history and culture of Newfoundland and Labrador. They focus on two main areas: old buildings and living traditions. They want to make sure these important parts of the province's story are kept safe for everyone.

Protecting Old Buildings

Heritage NL helps to save and fix up buildings that are important because of their history or unique design. They can officially name certain buildings as "Registered Heritage Structures." This means the buildings are special and should be protected.

• Grants for Repairs: Heritage NL can give money to help people fix up these special buildings. This helps owners keep the buildings in good shape.
• Fishing Heritage: They also have a program to help preserve old fishing stages and other buildings linked to the province's fishing history. These buildings show how people lived and worked long ago.
• Historic Places: Heritage NL helps add important provincial and local heritage sites to the Canadian Register of Historic Places. This is a list of special places across Canada.

Special Heritage Districts

Heritage NL also recognizes "Registered Heritage Districts." These are whole areas or neighborhoods that are special because of their buildings, layout, or unique culture. These districts show important parts of the province's history and how people lived.

There are currently six Registered Heritage Districts in Newfoundland and Labrador:

• Harbour Grace Registered Heritage District, Harbour Grace (1992)
• Tilting Registered Heritage District, Tilting (2003)
• Port Union Registered Heritage District, Port Union (2007)
• Downtown Woody Point Registered Heritage District, Woody Point (2008)
• Cable Avenue Registered Heritage District, Bay Roberts (2013)
• Heart's Content Registered Heritage District, Heart's Content (2013)

Saving Living Traditions

Since 2008, Heritage NL has also worked to protect "Intangible Cultural Heritage" (ICH). This is sometimes called "Living Heritage." It includes traditions, practices, and customs that are passed down through generations.

• What is ICH? ICH includes things like:
  • Stories and family events
  • Community gatherings and celebrations
  • Languages and special ways of speaking
  • Songs, music, and dances
  • Knowledge about nature and healing
  • Traditional foods and holidays
  • Beliefs and cultural practices
• Examples: In Newfoundland and Labrador, this includes things like Christmas mummering, traditional boat building skills, Aboriginal languages, and unique regional dialects.
• Why it Matters: Protecting these living traditions helps communities keep their unique identity and creativity. It's a way to celebrate who Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are.

Heritage NL works to record, share, and promote these traditions. They want to make sure these valuable customs are kept alive for future generations.

See also

• Canadian Register of Historic Places
• History of Newfoundland and Labrador
• List of historic places in Newfoundland and Labrador
• Newfoundland and Labrador Heritage at Memorial University of Newfoundland