The Basilica Museum was officially opened for another season
in early June and all the volunteer committee that operates the Museum are
hoping that this will be one of the best seasons yet.
The museum will be housed in the Basilica Residence, this year all displays
are located in Episcopal Library.
Mr. Tom Doyle the Chair of the Basilica Museum Committee said that the
Library is a wonderful space for the collection and that he anticipates that
parishioners, guests and tourists will be as impressed with the library as
they will be with the extensive collection of church artifacts that will be
on display.
The residence and the library have an extensive history.
The old Residence, built by Bishop Mullock in 1856, was destroyed by fire in
February 1921. The Episcopal Library, which remains today attached to the
residence, survived the fire. The new Episcopal Residence, the present
building, was built by Archbishop E.P. Roche and officially opened in
December 1924. It was designed by the noted New York architectural firm of
Delano and Aldrich, and was modeled in the Beaux-Arts style. Pidgeon and
Murphy of St. John's were the general contractors, and the supervising
architect was John E. Hoskins of St. John's. The exterior work was
constructed of bluestone, quarried at Signal Hill, St. John's, backed with
concrete with trim of freestone, imported from the Wallace quarries in Nova
Scotia. All freestone from the old residence was redressed and used again.
Originally, the Archbishop's office, drawing room, and dining room were in
the first floor, in addition to a kitchen and servant's quarters. The second
floor provided rooms for the archbishop and vicar general, and a private
guest room, while the third floor was occupied by priests on Cathedral
staff.
This year the collection on display has grown even larger with some very
interesting artifacts being donated and loaned for display this year.
The display as in the past includes sacred
vessels from the Basilica Sacristy, and pictures of the bishops and
archbishops of St. John's, from the first pastor and Perfect Apostolic James
Louis O'Donel in 1784 through Bishops' Fleming and Mullock standing in a
gateway to the cathedral year in 1861. A sculpture, The Infant Jesus by
renowned Irish sculptor John Edward Carew, designer of the base relief The
Death of Nelson on Nelson's Column in Trafalgar Square, London, may be found
among the exhibits. Archbishop Roche's ermine Cappa Magna, or great cape,
and the Episcopal.
A Throne carved by Bishop Mullock's father Thomas, a cabinetmaker, recall
the liturgy of the Church before the Second Vatican Council.
The Archbishop's Dining Room is restored to look as it would have in the
1920's.
A massive late 19th century reproduction oak table with eighteen chairs, in
the "Jacobethan" style. The large oak sideboard is said to have been removed
from the Old Palace as it burned in 1921 by firemen, at risk of their lives.
Visitors will also find themselves surrounded by over six thousand books in
six languages; the oldest dates from 1524.
This year the Museum Committee is also pleased to present a special display
that focuses on the academic, sports and spiritual history of St.
Bonaventure's College.
The school that was opened in 187 closed in 1998 but will reopen as a
private Catholic School in September 1999.
A gift shop was opened in 1997, offering publications and souvenirs of the
Basilica-Cathedral, and selected items from the Basilica-Cathedral book
store.
The Basilica-Cathedral Museum was opened in 1991 in the Sacristy Annex in
the Basilica-Cathedral, and in 1997, was re-opened by Archbishop James H.
MacDonald, C.S.C. in the Basilica Residence.
Manning Award for Excellence Presented to Basilica Museum Committee
(St. John's) The Basilica Museum Committee was awarded the
prestigious
Manning Award for Excellence in the Public Presentation of Historic
Places
during the 7th Annual Manning Awards Ceremony held at the Hotel
Newfoundland
on March 7th, 2000.
The Manning Awards are presented each year by the Historic Sites
Association
of Newfoundland and Labrador to groups and organizations who have
developed
a project which presents the history of their communities in original,
interesting and effective ways.
The Basilica Museum Committee received their award for integrating
the
extensive Basilica Museum collection of art and artifacts for display
in the
Episcopal (or Palace) Library. The artifacts are now displayed in a
grand
room that adds further dignity to the collection. The collection was
previously displayed in a small room at the rear of the Basilica.
Mr. Tom Doyle, Chair of the Basilica Museum Committee said that having
the
library made available for this collection of church art and
artifacts
shows the esteem that both the Basilica Parish and its staff and the
Archdiocese of St. John's have for its history. Prior to being made
available to the Basilica Museum Committee the library served as a
reception
area and occasional meeting area for both the parish and the
archdiocese.
Both parties had to agree to the Committee using the library.
The Manning Award was established as a tribute to Bill Manning a man
deeply
committed to the municipal politics of the town of Torbay and Area
Superintendent of Historic Parks. He brought boundless energy to his
position at Historic Parks (1974-1978) at a crucial time in the
growth and
expansion of sites at Castle Hill, Port au Choix and Cape Spear and
Signal
Hill. He died in a tragic plane crash in June 1978.
Other individuals
and
Museums that were recognized were Ms. Evelyn Grondin Bailey for her
contribution in the town of Burin, the Nurse Myra Bennett Foundation,
the
Bell island Heritage Society, the Corner Brook Museum and Archives
Society
and Dr. James Tuck for his work on a number of archaeological digs in
the
province including Ferryland.
A reception for recipients of the awards followed the presentations
hosted
by His Honour, Dr. A.M. House and Mrs. House at Government House.
