In November of this year (2014) physical construction began on an exhibit to celebrate the Voices of Placentia Bay. This will be a highly interactive multimedia exhibition for which research and development has been going on for several months.
Placentia Bay has always been well known for its singers, poets, musicians and story tellers and this unique display will celebrate that history in a special way. Static displays and multimedia, including iPads with special applications, television and computer located in the Cultural Interpretation Building next to the Town Hall in Placentia will remind visitors of these voices that have echoed through the ages. Using the interactive elements visitors will have a chance to sing their own songs, tell stories, recite poems or solve a riddle. It is expected to be one of the best examples of Intangible Cultural Heritage in the province.
The Placentia Area Historical Society has received funding for this project from the provincial Department of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development and the federal Department of Canadian Heritage. PAHS is partnering in the project with the Town of Placentia who will provide the space for the display and have its staff assist in running it. It is hoped to use the Canada Summer Jobs program to have students staff it in July and August.
Marilyn Mahle who also did the Resettlement Exhibition in the O’Reilly House Museum is developing this exhibition. It is based on the work of farsighted people who recorded and preserved these cultural treasures, especially that of Eric West. A Facebook page, “Voices of Placentia Bay”, has been posted for those who want to keep track of the project and a website is being developed by Memorial University’s Research Centre for Music, Media and Place to compliment the exhibition.
Mayor Wayne Power has this to say about the project that will be open this coming summer, “The Voices of Placentia Bay exhibit will be a great opportunity to showcase the impact that the traditions of music and culture of the communities of Placentia Bay have had on our region and province. The Town is pleased to be a partner in this project that will highlight and share this important part of our cultural heritage.”