Signal Hill Heritage Shop Season Opening Delayed
Cabot Tower Closure Impacts Provincial Non-Profit Organization
Due to the temporary closure of Cabot Tower for essential repairs, the Signal Hill Heritage Shop will have a delayed season opening. The Historic Sites Association of Newfoundland and Labrador (HSA) has operated a gift shop inside of Cabot Tower since 1981, providing tourists and residents with souvenirs, collectibles, local art, crafts, books and more. The closure of their highest-volume store will impact the pan-provincial organization, its customers, employees and local crafts people. However, HSA Executive Director, Andrea MacDonald, says that is the reality of operating inside of a heritage structure.
“Both of our organizations are committed to sharing solutions to today’s challenges and collaborating on culturally significant, innovative projects for the benefit of future generations“
The operating season for the Signal Hill Heritage Shop is April 1st to November 15th. In spite of the delayed opening of Cabot Tower, Parks Canada staff have volunteered to administer the HSA’s 2015 Puffin Passport Program at the Signal Hill Visitor Centre. Once the repairs on Cabot Tower are complete, the Heritage Shop within will reopen. Until the gift shop reopens, Signal Hill and Cabot Tower souvenirs and products can be found as of June 1st at the nearby Heritage Shop located at 158 Duckworth Street.
The Signal Hill Heritage Shop is one of nine Heritage Shops operated across the province by the Historic Sites Association of Newfoundland and Labrador (HSA). The HSA is a non-profit committed to the presentation of Newfoundland and Labrador’s unique culture and heritage. Some of the organization’s projects include: the Manning Awards, the Heritage Fairs, and the Dr. Paul O’Neill Scholarship. Through a close partner with Parks Canada, HSA has made lasting contributions to our province’s National Historic Sites.
HSA's contributions to the Signal Hill National Historic Site of Canada include: $43,000 towards uniforms for the Signal Hill Tattoo along with annual funding of $22,000, $300,000 towards the exhibitions inside the visitor’s centre, $270,000 towards the refurbishment of the interior of Cabot Tower and $350,000 towards the reconstruction of the Queens Battery barracks. To learn more about the work of the HSA please visit the website historicsites.ca.