Day Tours Lesson Plans and Resources

Bay Roberts Cable Building
Water Street, Bay Roberts, Newfoundland

Contact Information:
Elizabeth Jerrett
P.O. Box 760
Water Street, Bay Roberts, NF
Phone:(709) 786-3482 / 2005
Off season - (709) 786-2126

* 60 minutes from St. John's
* Open year round
* Large guided tours by appt.
* Rates available on request

Site:

The Bay Roberts Cable Building was built in 1913 as a Western Union Telegraph Station. The station operated as a link between North America to Europe for 50 years . Today the second floor of the building houses a large Museum with exhibits depicting the mercantile and communications history of Bay Roberts. There is also an Art Gallery where works of Christopher Pratt and other Newfoundland artists are displayed.

The Bay Roberts telegraph station was one of three on the Baccalieu Trail that was part of a trans-Atlantic telegraph system that linked the continents. During World War Two the station was placed under constant military guard because it was used by Churchill and Roosevelt to exchange top-secret war correspondence. The station eventually closed when under water telephone systems began providing faster trans-Atlantic service.

For over 200 years the entrepreneurial spirit of Bay Roberts residents has made their town a mercantile centre serving surrounding communities. The exhibits at the Road to Yesterday Museum recreate a time when general merchants sold dry-goods, furniture, groceries and everything from an anchor to a sewing needle. There are also exhibits of the tools and equipment used by local coopers, printers, farmers, blacksmiths, and other artisans and professionals. Each owned his or her own business and was called "uncle" or "aunt" by local unrelated children as a sign of respect, long before large supermarkets and department stores hired greeters to try and make people feel welcome.

The Christopher Pratt Galley is the only space on the Baccalieu trail showing the work of Local, Canadian and International artists.

The Bay Roberts Building is located in Bay Roberts, Conception Bay. From the TCH take exit 31 to route 75 and follow signs to Bay Roberts. Turn onto Water Street at Powell's Supermarket and travel approximately 3 km to the Cable Building.

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