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Cupids
Conception Bay |
Cupids is one of the most significant historic sites in North America. Cupids was settled in 1610 by John Guy. It is the oldest official English colony in Canada and the second oldest English colony in North America. Over the past 10 years, the Baccalieu Trail Heritage Corporation has hired archaeologist William Gilbert to supervise archaeological exploration of Cupids. As a result of the archaeological exploration, it now seems clear that structures unearthed at Cupids to date are the remains of a dwelling and storage house which were completed by John Guy and his colonists by December 1, 1610, making these two buildings two of the oldest European buildings in North America. The artifacts found at the Cupids dig provide the most compelling evidence that the site is John Guy's colony. A number items and fragments come from the late sixteenth and early seventeen century.
In 1612, an additional group of colonists, including women, arrived. Colonist Henry Crout recorded the birth (March 27, 1613) of a child to Nicholas Guie and his wife. This birth is the first recorded birth of an English child in Canada. John Guy built two ships to explore in order to establish relations with the Native Beothuk population. He established contact with Beothuks in 1612. The Cupids Museum and Archaeology Lab display some artifacts found at the ongoing archaeological project and guided tours are available. In addition, the Cupids Museum displays items from life in a fishing and farming community. Exhibits include a postal history of Newfoundland and an exhibit of school-days in Cupids and Newfoundland called 'Present, Miss'. To celebrate Cupids' 300th anniversary in 1910 the second largest Union Jack in the British Empire flew for the first time. The original flag site has been restored and a replacement flag flies on weekends and special occasions. The original flag is on display at the museum. A fascinating link between Cupids and the Pilgrim Fathers is provided by the Patuxet Indian, Squanto. Squanto, who lived in the Cupids colony in 1618, later went back to New England. He was one of two Indian who met the Pilgrim Fathers when they arrived at Plymouth Rock in 1621. Imagine the surprise of the Pilgrim Fathers when Squanto spoke to them in clear English! Cupids has spectacular walking and hiking trails. One trail takes you to the abandoned communities. of "Deep Gulch" and "Greenland". Another trail takes you to the abandoned community of "Rip Raps" and to the top of Spectacle Head. The Cuper’s Cove Soiree takes place each year on the 3rd weekend of July. During July 2003 the residents will hold the 10th annual festival. The Cupids Museum is a multi-faceted museum which displays items from life in a rural Newfoundland fishing and farming community. Artifacts are displayed from the ongoing Archaeology of the first official English colony in Canada established at Cupids in 1610. Contact: Lloyd Kane Seaforest Road, PO Box 64 Cupids NL A0A 2B0 Tel (709) 528-3500 After Hours (709) 528-3477 Emily's Country Store & Coffee Shop is a quality gift store, specializing in gifts for all occasions. While browsing visit the coffee shop and enjoy a snack or lunch. Contact: Elizabeth Pilgrim Route 60 PO Box 14, Site 9 Cupids Crossing NL A0A 1W0 Tel/Fax (709) 528-1098 Guy
View Manor B&B Contact:
Brigus
/ Cupids Tourism Development |
has
4 rooms with private bath/shower. Situated on a Cupids hillside,
it offers a breath taking view of Cupids and Bay de Grave. Contact: