The Victoria Community Development Corporation

Cupids Museum And Archaeological Site
Cupids, Newfoundland

Contact Information:
Linda Kane
Main Road, Cupids, NF
Phone:(709) 528-3477
(709) 528-3500
e-mail: cupidshistorical@nf.sympatico.ca
www3.nf.sympatico.ca/cupidshistorical
Town of Cupids

* One hour from St. John's
* Open mid Jun-Sep 30
7 days a week, 10am-5pm
* Large guided tours by app.
Rates available on request

Site:

In 1610, John Guy and 39 colonists, under Royal Charter from James I of England, arrived in Cupers Cove (Cupids) to establish the first official English colony in Canada. This colony became the second English colony in North America after Jamestown, Virginia was founded in 1607. Cupids is equal in historic significance to Quebec City founded by the French in 1608.

Between 1621 and 1631, the formal colony failed to be as profitable as expected and went into decline. However, an archaeology program started in 1995 by Mr. William Gilbert and his team has uncovered 80,000 artifacts dating from 1600 to the present. These include glass and pottery fragments, trade beads, coins, cobblestone flooring, several cellars, and building structures. Many of these interesting artifacts are on display in the Museum and archaeology laboratory.

Cupids Museum is a community museum that interprets the town's history from 1610 to the present with exhibits from the kitchen, tool shed, and general store. The original 1910 Tercentenary Union Jack flag, second largest in the British Commonwealth, hangs from one wall. An excellent display in the hall shows the Postal History of Newfoundland with stamps, photographs, and postcards.

In the very popular 'Present, Miss' exhibit, visitors young and old take a step back to a classroom of years ago. Photos, stories, books and displays bring school memories to life in an entertaining manner.

Group tours can be arranged for the museum, archaeology dig site and lab. Town and church tours are also available.

To get to the town of Cupids from St. John's, take ramp #31 from the Trans Canada Highway. Turn off on Route 70A (Roaches Line) and turn right at Cupids sign onto Route 60; then follow the signs to Cupids Harbour.

Learning Resources for the Cupids Museum.