War Memorial Anniversary
June 3 is the 100th Anniversary of the unveiling of the Sacred Heart World War I Memorial located in front of the Catholic Church in the Town Square in Placentia.
In lieu of a public gathering to commemorate the anniversary, because of Covid-19. a few members of the Royal Canadian Legion attended the Memorial in the morning of June 3 to place a wreath and observe a moment of silence.
2019 Tea Party
Maryanne Counsel cuts cake Award to PADA
Museum staff with president Tom O'Keefe (left)
The Annual Tea Party of the Placentia Area Historical Society was held August 10, 2019. As usual there was a good turnout with some ladies coming dressed in their fancy hats and long dresses. The museum staff were all in costumes from an earlier period; Music was provided by The Milley Family and Bill Carroll. Sara Hickey of Dunville who is a member of the world renowned Shallaway Youth Choir also sang a couple of songs. Young Maryanne Counsel cut the cake in preparations for the serving of refreshments. The Heritage Award this year was presented to the Placentia Area Development Association for their support of history and assistance to the historical society. President John Maher accepted the award.
2018 Tea Party
On August 11 the Placentia Area Historical Society held another successful tea party on the lawn of the O'Reilly House Museum. Heritage Awards this year were presented to Marine Atlantic for installing an exhibit of the Argentia at War display in their terminal building at Argrentia and to the Placentia Rowing Club for their recognition and celebration of the Placentia Lions Crew on the 40 anniversary of their walk to St. John's carrying their boat to the Royal St. John's Regatta.
Changes to Museum
2017 Tea Party held
2017 Tea Party
Plans are being made for the holding of the 2017 Tea Party and presentation of Heritage Awards by the Placentia Area Historical Society.
AGM and election
The historical society held it's Annual General Meeting on Sunday, March 5 in the PATH building. Returned to the executive were President Tom O'Keefe, Treasurer Ann Devereaux and Secretary Winnie Barry. Anita O'Keefe replaced Helen Griffin as vice-president.
The President gave a review of activities for the past year and said it was a very successful one with the outstanding event being repairs to the outside of the O'Reilly House Museum. The treasurer's financial report indicated the committee is in a healthy financial position. It was agreed to spearhead the setting up of a community committee to encourage further archaeological digs in the area. Ann Devereaux will spearhead that effort and anyone interested in joining should contact her. PAHS looks forward to the visit of a Basque cruise ship in June and the visit of a group from St. Pierre in July when a group will start rowing a Basque chaloupe back to St. P:ierre from Placentia.
Award for promoting French
A member of PAHS has received an award for the promotion of French language and culture. Rachelle Connors has received the Roger Champagne Award for her efforts that including teaching French, intreprtation, culture promotion by organizing French meals and displays and setting up a local French organization to assist known as the La Association francophone de Plaiasance. She was also recognized for here protest when the Town removed French from its logo and entrance signs. The award was presented by president Cyrilda Poirer of La Fédération des francophones de Terre-Neuve et du Labrador and is for people who have shown involvement in the development of the provincve's French community. Rachelle is the first non-member of that association to have received the award. (Photo: Rachelle on right)