The Historic Sites Association has published or helped fund local books that are significant to the culture and history of Newfoundland and Labrador. Many are available for purchase at the Heritage Shops or through our online store.
Publications
The New Land With The Green Meadows By Anne Stine Ingestad
Anne Stine Ingstad takes us on a fascinating journey of discovery, connections, and change. This book begins with an expedition to the Norse settlements in Greenland and then onward by boat to the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador. Ingstad recounts the challenging and delightful journey and the many magical moments of discovery. In many ways, her diary is also a tribute to the people of L’Anse aux Meadows whom she grew to love and depend on during her summers (1961-1968) excavating the only known Viking settlement in North America.
Westward Vikings, The saga of L’Anse aux Meadows By Brigitta Linderoth Wallace
For a brief period, around the year 1000 AD, a sizable Norse settlement existed at L’Anse aux Meadows in northern Newfoundland. Lavishly illustrated with artifacts, photographs, and up-to-date maps, archaeologist Birgitta Wallace tells the story of how the site was discovered, excavated, and interpreted.
Adventures in Archaeology Newfoundland and Labrador By Historic Sites Association of NL
This is a workbook for children to explore archaeology in Newfoundland and Labrador. It features word searches, crossword puzzles, mazes, matching and more activities. Additionally, it includes information on: Newfoundland and Labrador's ancient history, artifacts, archaeological tools, dig sites, prehistoric, historic, and marine archaeology, and conservation and protection of artifacts.
Vinland Revisited: The Norse World at the Turn of the First Millennium Edited By Shannon Lewis-Simpson
Selected papers from the Viking Millennium International Symposium held in Newfoundland and Labrador. In September 2000, more than 300 Norse experts and enthusiasts gathered for a symposium to celebrate the Viking millennium and revisit Vinland. The ten-day symposium traveled from St. John's to L'Anse aux Meadows and the Labrador Straits. Although the magic and camaraderie of those two weeks cannot be recreated, this volume gathers together some of the papers that were presented.
Vinland Revisited: The Norse World at the Turn of the First Millennium Edited By Shannon Lewis-Simpson
Selected papers from the Viking Millennium International Symposium held in Newfoundland and Labrador. In September 2000, more than 300 Norse experts and enthusiasts gathered for a symposium to celebrate the Viking millennium and revisit Vinland. The ten-day symposium traveled from St. John's to L'Anse aux Meadows and the Labrador Straits. Although the magic and camaraderie of those two weeks cannot be recreated, this volume gathers together some of the papers that were presented.
Ancient Cultures, Bountiful Seas The Story of Port au Choix By M.A.P Renouf
Renouf draws upon a formidable body of archaeological and historical research to tell the story of 4,500 years of habitation at Port au Choix. Beautifully illustrated, Ancient Cultures, Bountiful Seas makes this remarkable history both accessible and enjoyable.
Newfoundland: A Place Called Home Special Memories of Joan Parson Woods
Photographs of Joan Parson Woods' clay sculptures depicting memories of Newfoundland. Each photographed sculpture is accompanied by the artist’s own words. For more information about the Newfoundland: A Place Called Home collection, which was purchased and displayed by the HSA
But Summer Will Come: A Structural History of Hawthorne Cottage By James E. Candow
Explores the structural history of the Brigus, Newfoundland, home of Arctic explorer, Captain Bob Bartlett. Hawthorne Cottage is known as one of the finest remaining examples of the cottage orné building type in the architectural tradition known as picturesque. This booklet focuses on the history of Brigus, the Bartlett’s, and the history, design and layout of the cottage itself.
Wineland Voyages: Location of Helluland, Maryland & Vinland By W. A. Munn
Reprint of 1946 6th edition of Wineland Voyages with added preface by Michael Harrington. In 1914, W. A. Munn of Harbour Grace, Newfoundland, published a booklet in which he predicted L'Anse aux Meadows as a site visited by the Vikings. He based his suggestion on careful reading of Icelandic Sagas. As he stated in his pamphlet, "I am pointing out the localities where I believe some of these old records are most likely to be found and the man that does find them will make a name for himself..."
Of Men and Seals: A History of the Newfoundland Seal Hunt By James E. Candow
The Newfoundland seal hunt was based on the harp and, to a lesser extent, hood seal species. The harp and hood are hair seals valued for their skin, fat, and hair. This document presents information on the harps and hoods. It examines the origins and early development of the hunt among Native peoples and the Europeans. It looks at the seal hunts of 1793-1861 and 1862-1939; the vessel-based hunts of 1862-1939; the seal hunt since 1939; and the vessel-based hunt since 1939. It also provides an update to January 1988.
Viking Discovery: L’Anse aux Meadows By Joan Horwood
Describes the discovery and colonization of North America by the Vikings using supporting evidence uncovered at L'Anse aux Meadows, a site in northern Newfoundland that is, "the first authenticated Norse site in North America."
Fish Stages By Shannon Ryan
An informative booklet on the history of the Newfoundland fishery and the method and tools which were used.
Signal Hill: An Illustrated History By Amy Zierier and Cam Mustard
Contains information on Newfoundland topics such as its discovery, military history, and fishing industry. Signal Hill-specific information includes its past uses as a signaling location, hospitals located there, military history and fortifications, Marconi's transatlantic transmissions, Cabot Tower, and its current status as a National Historic Site of Canada.
HSA - Supported Publications
Cantwells’ Way: A Natural History of the Cape Spear Lighthouse By James E. Candow
In Cantwells’ Way, James E. Candow examines the relationship between people, place, and technology at the Cape Spear Lighthouse in Newfoundland and Labrador. Modern lighthouses and fog alarms were products of the new understandings of light and sound that emerged from the Scientific Revolution, making lighthouse keepers and their families the vanguard of technological change in their communities.
The HSA has contributed $6,500 to the publishing and indexing of Cantwells’ Way. James Candow is a huge supporter and has generously donated all royalties from these books to the HSA.
The Lookout: A History of Signal Hill By James E. Candow
The Lookout: A History of Signal Hill provides a meticulous chronicle of this Newfoundland icon, its colorful military history, its seminal role as a signaling station and a center of international communication, and the politics of building Cabot Tower.
The HSA has contributed $7,000 to the publishing and indexing towards The Lookout. James Candow is a huge supporter and has generously donated all royalties from these books to the HSA.
The Lookout: A History of Signal Hill By James E. Candow
In 1978, Parks Canada underwater archaeologists discovered the wreck of a 16th-century Basque whaling vessel in Red Bay, Labrador. This five-volume publication is the culmination of over 25 years of research by associates and members of Parks Canada’s Underwater Archaeology Service. It describes not only the underwater archaeology as practiced at Red Bay but also 16th-century ship construction, whaling and material cultural studies.
The HSA contributed $25,000 towards the translation of these volumes.