Currently at Commemorations

PHCP Board Meeting

Nominations Reviewed

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Board meeting in October

The Provincial Historic Commemorations Board will review June submissions at their next meeting in October.

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Next Nomination Deadline Approaching

June 15 is the next deadline for new nominations!

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Frequently Asked Questions

 

Still have questions? Contact the program administrator.

 

How do I nominate something for commemoration?
Complete a nomination form and mail or email it to the program administrator by one of our two deadlines: February 15 or June 15.

When can I send in my nomination?
You can send in a nomination anytime. However, if sent by the February 15 deadline, it will be reviewed at the February/March Board meeting. If sent by the June 15 deadline, it will be reviewed at the September/October Board meeting.

Can I email my nomination?
Yes, email is actually preferred as a paper-saving measure, but submissions by mail are fine too. See the contact page for more information about where to send nominations.

How detailed does a nomination have to be?
Some nominations that have been successful were as short as 5-10 pages. The key is to address each heading on the nomination form, and especially to address how your nomination meets the criteria for the category you've selected. As long as the nomination meets the criteria, the Board will review it. Citations of research are fine; you don't need to send a copy of every article listed. If the Board thinks that the nomination has promise, they will commission further research to support it.

When will I hear if my nomination was successful?
 If you submit your nomination by February 15, you will be notified of the status of your nomination by the end of April. If you submit your nomination by June 15, you will be notified of the status of your nomination by the end of November. Often the Board will commission a research paper to support a nomination that they feel has promise. They may not make the final recommendation about a nomination until they have had the chance to review this research. The overall process from nomination to public announcement of a commemoration by the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation can take 12-18 months.

My nomination was successful. When will it be announced publicly?
 Commemorations are confidential until they are publicly announced by the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, generally at an annual ceremony held in the fall.

My nomination was successful. When will I be able to qualify for a grant to do legacy activities?
You can apply for funding to complete legacy activities as soon as the commemoration is announced publicly.

I'm just a regular person - not an organization or town. Can I nominate something?
Yes, nominations from the general public are welcomed. It's a good idea, however, to have suitable support letters if your nomination impacts a municipality, organization, etc.

 Can I nominate something that already has a plaque from the federal government?
Yes, you can nominate something that already has a Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada plaque, but we'd like to encourage the nomination of aspects of Newfoundland and Labrador's heritage and culture that have not yet been recognized.

Can I nominate someone who is still alive?
Someone nominated under the "person" category must be deceased for at least 10 years. However, living people can be nominated if they qualify under the "tradition bearer" category.

My community has what I think is a significant historical person/place/event/tradition/tradition bearer. Can I nominate them?
Yes, but read the criteria carefully for each category. Generally a nominated subject is deemed to be provincially significant only if it can be proven to be singularly outstanding and/or exceptional, AND it has historic/cultural importance to the province as a whole AND it is an outstanding example of an enduring theme, pattern, or tradition in the province's history and heritage. Claims to historic significance must be supported by references such as academic articles, oral histories, etc. Before making a nomination, it's a good idea to contact the program administrator for guidance.

I want to nominate a district/cultural landscape as a "place" of provincial significance. Do I need to get consent forms from every property owner in the area?
No, property owner consent forms are only required for nominations of structures or groups of specific buildings. For more information, see the criteria for "places".

I want to nominate an architecturally distinct heritage building. Will it qualify as a place of provincial significance under this program?
Probably not. Historic structures and districts that would normally be considered for designation by the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador will not be considered under the Provincial Historic Commemorations Program. Check the criteria for "places" of significance and also the guidelines for the Heritage Foundation to see which program makes the best fit.

I know about an archeology site/building/district that is in bad shape. Will a commemoration under this program help to protect it?
No, a commemoration may help to raise awareness about a site, but it does not afford any more protection than exists under current law. For more information about protection see the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador's Historic Resources Act. Under this act, people are not allowed to damage provincial historic sites, significant palaeontology (archeology) sites, and registered provincial cultural resources.

Will I get a plaque if my nomination is successful?
 No, the program does not issue plaques. However, successful nominees can apply for up to $2500 in one-time funding to do activities that help to raise awareness about their commemoration. See the list of suggested legacy activities on the Nominating Process page.

Will I get a grant if my nomination is successful?
Maybe. After the commemoration is announced, the nominator can apply for up to $2500 in one-time funding to conduct legacy activities related to raising awareness about the commemoration. See the list of suggested legacy activities on the Nominating Process page.

Will my museum/building/archeology site become a provincial historic site if my nomination is successful?
No, it will become a "place" of provincial significance, but not a provincial historic site. No annual/operational/staffing funding accompanies a commemoration.

Our museum has a unique collection and needs funding. Can I nominate it as a place of provincial significance to get a grant?
No, museums are institutions and therefore qualify under the "person" category. A museum must therefore must be inactive for at least 10 years and meet the other criteria for this category in order to be considered as a person (institution) of significance. Check the other categories. There may be someone in your community that you can nominate as a "tradition bearer", or someone in your community's past you can nominate as a "person" of significance, or perhaps the museum is located in a district, structure or cultural landscape that could be deemed a "place" of provincial significance. Check the criteria for "cultural traditions and practices" and "events" too. If your nomination is successful, you may qualify for up to $2500 to help raise awareness about what you are commemorating.

I know someone who would be an excellent board member for this program. How do I recommend them?
Board members are appointed by the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation as vacancies on the Board arise. If you have a suggestion for a board member, contact the program administrator.

I'm a professional researcher. Can I get my name on a list of people available to do research about commemorations?
Yes, contact the program administrator. Send your contact information, CV, sample of your writing, and list the area(s) of research that you specialize in (ex: 19th century military history, history of Newfoundland rughooking, women in 17th century Labrador, etc).