| Cupids, Site of Cupers Cove
Canada's Oldest British Colony
Founded in 1610
Cupids
Harbour
Photo: Baccalieu Trail Heritage Corporation
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
British colony in Canada and the second oldest British colony in
North America.
Cupids Harbour
The municipality of Cupids is located near Brigus, Makinsons and South River in Conception Bay about 85km from downtown St. John's. According to the 2006 census, the population is 790, an increase of 1.9% from 2001.
Archaeology in Cupids
In July 2006, The Beaver, Canada’s History Magazine, named the Cupid archaeological site one of “the top ten active archaeology sites in Canada”. The national recognition is due to a great deal of hard work. Over
the past decade years, the Baccalieu Trail Heritage Corporation has
hired archaeologist William Gilbert to supervise archaeological
exploration of Cupids. As a result,
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.
Unearthed Structure at Cupids
The
over 110,000 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.
Fragments
of Werra Slipware
Manufactured in Germany
Between 1590 and 1625
Silver half crown.(1660-1662) The Silver half crown was minted in the Tower of London sometime between 1660 and 1662 and found among the burnt timbers that collapsed when the dwelling house at Cupids burned down sometime in the 1660s.
www.baccalieudigs.ca
Website of the Baccalieu Trail Heritage Corporation
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 the Beothuk
in 1612.
Click here for "Baccalieu: Crossroads for Cultures," which details about Cupers Cove Colony in Cupids from its founding in 1610.
Cupids Museum and Archaeology Lab
The
Cupids Museum and Archaeology Lab display some of the artifacts found at
the ongoing archaeological project and guided tours are available.
Cupids Museum
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'.
"Present Miss" Exhibit
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.
Cupids and Squanto
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! More from Crossroads for Cultures >>
Walking Trails
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.
Cupids Cannon
Pointing to Spectacle Head
The Cupers Cove Soiree
The
Cupers Cove Soiree takes place each year on the 3rd weekend
of July. During July 2008 the residents will hold the 15th Annual
Soiree.
Cupers Cove Soiree
Welcome to Colony by John Guy
Photo: Baccalieu Trail Ambassadors
Cupers Cove Soiree
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Old Fashioned Concert - Fall, 2007
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Members of the Tourism Association
Cupids 400 Formed to develop plans for the 400th Anniversary of the Cupers Cove Colony in 1610.
Contact:
Lloyd
Kane 368 Seaforest Road Cupids NL A0A 2B0 Tel: (709) 528-1610 Web Site: www.cupids400.ca
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 Web Site: www3.nf.sympatico.ca/cupidshistorical/
Cupids
Haven
 opened in Summer 2005, this new four bedroom bed &
breakfast is housed in the former St. Augustine's Church.
Extensive renovations create comfortable, modern rooms
with private baths while maintaining much of the charm
of the church structure.
Contact: Cupids
Haven, P.O. Box 256 Cupids NL A0A 2B0 Tel:
(709) 528-1258 or (709) 528-15 55 Fax: 709 528-1347 Web Site: www.cupidshaven.ca
Guy
View Manor B&B  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: Bernice
Clarke First Colony Dr. Cupids
NL A0A 2B0 Tel/Fax: (709) 528-4248 Toll Free 1-877-728-4248. Web Site:
www.bbcanada.com/5438.html
Contact:
Brigus
/ Cupids Tourism Development
Box 106, Brigus NF A0A 1K0
Tel: (709) 528-3206, Fax: (709) 528-4544
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