Experience

THE

EXPERIENCE

The great sealing disasters of 1914 contributed greatly to the loss of a generation soon to be devastated by World War I. In remembering these men, Home from The Sea presents the historic and cultural context of sealing in Newfoundland and Labrador through seven captivating visitor experiences.  For details on the experiences, please scroll through the slider below.  Click on the slider to pause the scrolling.

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JOHN C. CROSBIE
SEALERS INTERPRETATION CENTRE
This is the first facility in the world to focus exclusively on the story of sealing and sealers. The Centre became a reality thanks to the vision of the people of Elliston, the contributions of many and the commitment of the Hon. John C. Crosbie, Patron. John’s commitment to the industry, recognition of the need to commemorate lost lives and passion for telling an authentic story inspired our efforts.
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NALCOR
SEALERS MUSEUM
Sealing has been important to both the survival and success of our rural economy. From hoping for a good season to going to the ice and returning home, the Sealers Museum takes you on an emotional journey of risk, loss and reward, from past to present. An immersive experience provides a sense of what it’s like on moving pack ice miles from land, rising and falling with the swell of the ocean.
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ELLIOT
ART GALLERY
The Elliott Gallery was designed to feature John MacDonald’s Trilogy: three giant paintings that illuminate the story of his great-grandfather’s struggle to survive on the ice during the 1914 SS Newfoundland tragedy. The words, “you’ve never known cold” echo in the gallery as interpreters share with you John Donovan’s story of survival, a chilling recollection of a struggle faced by many.
NFPower
NF POWER DONOR RECOGNITION
& GIFT BOUTIQUE AREA
The contributions of many made the Sealers Interpretation Centre and the Memorial Site a reality. Featuring a Donor Wall with recognition panels, the main lobby of the Interpretation Centre underscores this groundswell of support. Every dollar spent in the Gift Boutique enables our Foundation to maintain exhibits and illuminate more of the many stories brought forward during the project.
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INTERPRETATIVE
PATHWAY
Linking the Sealers Interpretation Centre to two remarkable seaside memorials is an Interpretive Pathway with descriptive panels, each sharing a snippet of the many stories upon which Elliston’s rich history is built. Visitors are encouraged to opt for the guided Walk to the Sea which takes you through the town and provides more historical context for what awaits you at Porter’s Point. End your walk with a Picnic by the Sea.
monument
MEMORIAL
MONUMENT
Erected beside the Statue of Ruben and Albert John Crew, ensuring that these men are brought back together for eternity and never forgotten. It is a two-metre high, granite wall etched with the names, ages and communities of every sealer who sailed on the SS Southern Cross and the SS Newfoundland that fateful year. After 100 years, the unfinished business of creating a fitting memorial is now complete. As Newfoundlanders and Labradorians we can rest easy, knowing we’ve done the right thing.
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MEMORIAL
STATUE
Situated on Porter’s Point, facing the sea and looking back toward home, rests the bronze statue of father and son Reuben and Albert John Crewe, residents of Elliston who perished out on the ice in the 1914 SS Newfoundland sealing disaster. Created by acclaimed sculptor Morgan MacDonald, it sits as a poignant reminder not only of great loss but of the remarkable ties that bind families together in places where going to work and coming Home from the Sea is never a guarantee. It stands to represent all sealers who have risked and lost their lives in their efforts to support their families and communities.

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