Table Of Contents

1. History
   • Quidi Vidi Battery
2. Accomodation
   • Christ Church Airbnb
   • The Inn by Mallard Cottage
3. What to Do
   • Exploring the Village
   • Hiking
   • Quidi Vidi Charters
   • Quidi Vidi Village Plantation
4. Where to Eat
   • Mallard Cottage
     • About Mallard Cottage Restaurant
   • The Wharf at Quidi Vidi
   • Sweet Spot
5. Where to Drink
   • Quidi Vidi Brewery
   • The Inne of Olde
     • Happy Travels, Adventurers

History

The name Quidi Vidi is a real mystery. Even locals can’t agree on where the name comes from. Some say it was named by the Portuguese, who called it “quey de video,” meaning, “what a beautiful sight.” Others claim it’s Latin, since…well it sounds like Latin. There is also a local legend that says it’s named after a hotel bar that once sat on the edge of the lake. The owner of said bar was named “Kitty Vitty” and they went about naming the whole area after her. Up until the 1900s, the area was even written as “Kitty Vitty” on local maps.

However you pronounce it (or spell it), everyone can agree that the history of Quidi Vidi revolves around fishing. In the 1600s, fishermen arrived every Spring to fish the rich sources of cod they found in the area. The fishermen liked to set up small fishing huts on the harbour until the cold weather arrived. They found the harbour at Quidi Vidi to be very inhabitable as its inlet enabled it to be sheltered from the harsh winds. Soon, men began to stay behind to face the cold winter. By staying behind there were able to set up in advance for the fishermen who would arrive come the Spring. These “overwinterers” were some of the first to build homes in the area. Many of these immigrants were from southeast Ireland. But instead of returning home in the spring, they remained forever. Calling Quidi Vidi their new home.

Quidi Vidi Battery

In 1762 the French built the Quidi Vidi Battery. The French were constantly at war with the English, and vice versa. They were in a heated battle over control of the rich fishing waters around Newfoundland. When the French finally departed once and for all, the Batteries all became occupied by the local Newfoundland army. Although it was once a National Historical Museum, the Battery closed in 2011.

Accomodation

Christ Church Airbnb

If you can book your stay months and months in advance, there is no better place to stay than at the old Christ Church. The old building has been restored and converted into a stylish Airbnb! The original church was built in 1834. It was designated as a combined church for the Anglicans, Methodists, and Congregationalists who lived in Quidi Vidi. It’s such a wonderful example of the ecclesiastical architecture of the time. The white siding is framed with bright red and green highlights. The stunning bell tower was added in 1890.

The building was sold to the Newfoundland Historic Trust in 1966. Over the years, it served as the town hall, antique store, furniture restorer, and theatrical rehearsal space. It was even used in the first feature film (with sound) made in Canada, called The Viking. It was recently purchased by Aiden and Elizabeth Duff who lovingly renovated to be a magical two-bedroom Airbnb. Is there anything better than staying inside a piece of Newfoundland history? I think not!

$359 / NIGHT

The Inn by Mallard Cottage

If the Christ Church is booked, consider staying in the charming Inn by Mallard Cottage. Run by the same owners as the famous Mallard Cottage restaurant, two original cottages have been renovated into this incredibly chic hotel. The building now contains seven king suites and one common area/meeting room. Each room is decorated with this perfect blend of bright modern colours and vintage Newfoundland cottage vibes.

$279 / NIGHT

What to Do

Exploring the Village

Honestly, my favourite part of visiting Quidi Vidi was simply wandering the harbour and hillsides. Soaking in the atmosphere and brightly coloured houses along the harbour is a journey of discovery. Houses on stilts popping out of the water surprise you around the water’s edge. Colourful fishing huts can be spotted a mile away. And old fishing equipment is strewn about like sprinkles on a cake, haphazard but seemingly a method to the madness

Still to this day, the people in the area make their living on the water fishing for cod. Almost any time of day as you explore the village you’ll see fishermen cleaning their lines, bringing in the catch of the day or repairing their boats for the winter.

Hiking

One of the best ways to get in touch with nature around the village is to go on a hike. The nearby Cuckold’s Cove and Signal Hill Loop is a great introductory trail. It spans 6.9 kilometres and loops up into the hillside and around the Quidi Vidi Lake. It will take about 2-3 hours, depending on your fitness level or how often you stop to take scenic pictures! During the late summer and early fall, there are many berries to be picked along the trail. And in the springtime, it’s a great place to collect wildflowers.

Quidi Vidi Charters

Since Quidi Vidi’s history is steeped in the fishing industry, there is no better way to get acquainted with the waters than on a boat. Where you can try your hand at fishing for yourself! Quidi Vidi Charters takes small groups of people out on the water to teach them the time-old traditions of cod fishing. While out there you’ll also hear charming historical stories and local legends. They run tours from January to September when cod is in season. The tours last about three hours and cost $150 per person. Keep your eyes peeled for whales and seabirds on your journey out on the Atlantic. After bringing in your catch of the day, the guide will even show you how to clean and gut a fish! Plus, you’ll be able to eat your catch right there on the wharf. Nothing could be fresher!

Quidi Vidi Village Plantation

The large yellow trimmed building facing the harbour is the Quidi Vidi Village Plantation. Inside is a collection of local artists who are hard at work on their craft. You can just wander around the halls, watching the amazing creations in progress. But you also can buy some of these awesome handmade creations directly from the artists. It’s a great way to see what local creators are being inspired by here in Newfoundland.

You’ll notice rocks covered in crochet blankets all over the town. They are so adorable to spot along your journey and all the knitting is done right here! As a means to bring visitors into the plantation.

Where to Eat

Mallard Cottage

One of the best ways to start or end your day is with a visit to Mallard Cottage. The historic green and white cottage was built in the 1840s by the Mallard family. They had immigrated from southeast Ireland to make a new life here in Newfoundland. The cottage’s style was typical of the period, inspired by Irish cottages, with low hipped-roof and a large central chimney.

The Mallard’s passed the house down from generation to generation, eventually selling it off in 1950. Because it was so well cared for, it remained in pristine historic condition. Today, it is one of the oldest wooden buildings that remain in North America. It changed hands multiple times over the years and in 2013 was purchased and restored to become a five-star restaurant. This is no doubt the finest restaurant in all of St. John’s, let alone Quidi Vidi.

About Mallard Cottage Restaurant

Walking into Mallard Cottage is what I imagine an old-fashioned inn from the middle ages would have felt like. Furs hang on the walls along with taxidermied moose and deer heads. Plus seems to grow out of the woodwork giving the room a breath of fresh air. The room is dim, lit throughout with candles and chandeliers. The kitchen is open to the room. Guests can sit at the bar to watch the chefs at work. The flames roar in the background, and the sound of excited chatted simmers in the air. Mallard Cottage is open Wednesday to Saturday for dinner, and an exclusive reservation is available for Sunday Brunch.

Their dinner menu consists of seasonal fare sourced in Newfoundland and Labrador. The menu changes along with the months, so there is always something fresh and delicious on the stove. The dinner menu features a Family Style option of $90 per person. It is a multi-course meal and includes one alcoholic drink.

The Family Style meal comprises a myriad of their favourite menu items. It is served “family style” on large platters brought to the table to share amongst your party. I would go with this option every time. We couldn’t decide what we wanted and figured this was the best way to sample a bit of everything. And it was A TON of food! Come hungry!

Their brunch menu is just as impressive! And the $45 prix-fix includes one main, two sides, a non-alcoholic drink and access to their breakfast cake table. You can grab whatever you want from their incredible dessert table, whatever can fit into your cake box!

The Wharf at Quidi Vidi

The old wharf in Quidi Vidi Harbour has been reinvented into an incredible, modern event space! The Wharf is a new pop-up event featuring food vendors, artists and locally brewed Landwash craft beers. It’s a Newfoundlander beer garden by the water. The company is a non-profit helping Stella’s Circle‘s Clean Start program. Since Quidi Vidi is such a small village without much parking, they even offer a free shuttle to help with congestion.

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Sweet Spot

The Sweet Spot is one of the popular spots on the Wharf. They serve delicious ice cream, baked goods, and hot coffee right off the dock. Their elaborate sundaes are the real star of the show. Such a perfect cool treat for a hot day near the water.

Where to Drink

Quidi Vidi Brewery

In a huge green building dominating the harbour is the Quidi Vidi Brewery. This old fish plant was transformed into a local brewery in 1996 by David Fong. Over the years, he has created one of the most beloved breweries all over Newfoundland. They brew over 25 different kinds of beer, including the infamous blue-bottled Iceberg Beer. The Iceberg Beer is made with 20,000-year-old iceberg water, harvested from icebergs off the coast of Newfoundland. Walk into any restaurant, grocery store or liquor store in Newfoundland, and you’ll find their brightly coloured cans.

But if you are looking to sample a bunch of their different brews, then head over to their taproom. You can get a flight sampler made to your preferred taste. Their fantastic beer hall and outdoor patio is brimming with energy. Live music is usually on every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. There is nothing better to pair your beer with than a gaunty tune played by some local Newfoundlanders.

Although there is no food on offer at the brewery, not to fear! If you’re looking for something to eat, you can head outside to the Quidi Vidi Fish Company truck. This is parked outside the brewery and acts as their defacto restaurant. There are a small set of tables outside where you can eat on the water.

The Inne of Olde

Tucked away on Old Quidi Vidi Road is one of the mainstays of village life, the pub. The Inne of Olde is better to know just as “Linda’s.” Linda is the owner and heart of the establishment. Walking in the door, you are immediately struck with the waves of personality that Linda has decorated the pub with. There are families photos all over the walls, trinkets, keepsakes and of course, seasonal decor. If you are looking to chat with a local, there is no better place than the Inne of Olde. You can find some real characters in here and the later the night gets the more stories they are prone to tell!

Quidi Vidi really makes for the perfect escape and feels like a village out of time, just minutes away from the centre of downtown St. John’s. Hopefully, this guide enlightened you into the incredible things to see and do here. You make a point of visiting on your next trip to the Maritimes.

Happy Travels, Adventurers

The post The Ultimate Quidi Vidi Newfoundland Travel Guide: See, Do & Eat first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

On our more recent trip to Newfoundland, we made it a point to seek out as many lighthouses as we could find along the way! This guide will help you find the perfect hiking location to suit your needs! We’ve compiled a list of the ten best lighthouse hikes in Newfoundland. There are hikes to get you started no matter what your skill or fitness level. Trust me, I’d not been hiking in ages and even I managed to do them all! And it was worth every step of the journey to see these incredible lighthouses up-close and take in all the fantastic scenery.

Table Of Contents

1. History of the Lighthouse
   • How Lighthouses Work
   • Lighthouse Keepers
2. Best Lighthouses in Newfoundland and Labrador
   • Ferryland Lighthouse
   • Twillingate Long Point Lighthouse
   • Cape Bonavista Lighthouse
   • Cape Spear Lighthouse
   • Cape Spear Hike
   • Fort Amherst Lighthouse
   • King Cove Lighthouse
   • Lobster Cove Head Lighthouse
   • Rose Blanche Lighthouse
   • Point Amour Lighthouse
   • Raleigh Trail
   • Fox Point Lighthouse

History of the Lighthouse

The very first known lighthouse was built in Egypt 2,000 years ago! While it took a few more thousand years for lighthouses to arrive in Newfoundland, today they feel like an essential part of the province. From the dawn of life in Newfoundland, the people’s connection to the sea has been of utmost importance. In the 1800s, there was a rise of Europeans migrating to the shores of Newfoundland in the Spring and Summer for fishing opportunities. Their quiet coastlines soon became a cluster of sailing ships.

During foggy and stormy weather, shipwrecks were prevalent. With over 29,000 kilometres of coastline, there was a need for lighthouses to guide boats into shore. It wasn’t just the weather sailors needed to be warry of; the coastline was dotted with dangerous rocky outcrops, hidden inlets, icebergs and rough shores. The first lighthouse to be built in Newfoundland was at Fort Amherst in 1810 to help boats into St. John‘s harbour through the narrows. It was the first of what would go onto be 55 lighthouses erected in Newfoundland over the years.

How Lighthouses Work

Lighthouses implement the Fresnel lens to cast their beacons of light across miles of stormy waters. The Fresnel lens has been called “the invention that saved a million ships.” The lens is made up of a series of prisms mounted onto a large steel frame. Then lenses reflect the flame/light inside, created in Newfoundland by burning seal oil. The refractions create one intense beam of light that can be seen miles away.

Later on, Lighthouses were given huge foghorns to help communicate with ships in the water before modern communication was possible. The cries of the foghorn echoing across the coastline became the background music heard by hundreds of Newfoundlanders over the years.

The first lighthouses in Newfoundland were painted with red and white stripes. These colours were chosen to help mariners see the lighthouse against the sky, even when it was foggy and grey. But the lighthouses located in lush forests or behind rocky cliffsides were painted all white to ensure they can be spotted against this dark forest backdrop.

Lighthouse Keepers

The job of the lighthouse keeper was one of the most important ones and one of the most solitary. Many of these lighthouses were first located in very remote locations. When transport was in its infancy, lighthouse keepers would live on the property instead of in the nearby villages. Sometimes a house would be built adjacent to the lighthouse where the keeper could live with their family. Often the weather conditions near these lighthouses were severe. Resources like food and fuel were limited as they were brought in only during the summer months.

The job of the lighthouse keeper was to ensure the light was always light. Without the light, ships would be lost at sea. Once foghorns were installed they were required to wind up the horns to blow on extremely foggy days. They were also responsible for reporting icebergs in the area and sending out flares if they saw any boats in trouble. Famously, the lighthouse keeper at Cape Race was the first to receive the Titanic’s distress signals. It was 400 miles off the coast of Newfoundland but alas, too far to make it in time to save those doomed passengers.

Best Lighthouses in Newfoundland and Labrador

Ferryland Lighthouse

The Ferryland Lighthouse is a quaint, historic spot along the Coast of Avalon with many stories to tell. One of the most beloved buildings in this small Newfoundland community, the Lighthouse has guided ships into shore since 1870. The grand, bright red Lighthouse looks out over the vast Atlantic Ocean. The sound of crashing waves against the rocks echoing across the hillsides. During certain times of the year, whales can even be spotted right off the coast.

Lighthouse Picnics

But what makes visiting this particular lighthouse so exciting is the Lighthouse Picnics. These incredible picnics are such unique experiences and so popular they even have been featured on Oprah’s Instagram! Picnics MUST be booked in advance as reservations are limited. Once you arrive at the Lighthouse, you will go to the main building to pick up your bespoke meal. You get to choose your favourite sandwich, dessert and drink and it also comes with a delicious salad! Then it’s up to your to find the perfect place nearby to enjoy it for yourself. There is genuinely nothing more perfect than a picnic by the sea. Especially when you don’t need to worry about packing or cooking anything yourself! We sat right in front of the amazing lighthouse to absorb all that majesty it provided.

The Ferryland Lighthouse Hike

The lighthouse is only accessible by hiking along a very flat pathway towards the edge of the coastline. The hike takes about 25-minutes to reach the peak of the Lighthouse. As you begin from the parking lot, take note of the small island to the North. Look closely, and you might spot a herd of sheep grazing on the grass. You might be thinking, “how on earth did those sheep get into that island?!” Local sheep farmers have been bringing their herds over the island for years, as it is free of predators. It is a wonderful place where the sheep can relax all summer. Just another little slice of magic that this hike provides. As you go, you’ll be able to listen to the seabirds flying overhead and keep an eye out for sea creatures bobbing up and down along the shore.

Twillingate Long Point Lighthouse

At the peak of Crow Head‘s in Twillingate, you’ll find the Long Point Lighthouse. The lighthouse sits over 300 feet above sea level, towering over the cliff below. The light flashing over the Atlantic Ocean and Notre Dame Bay. This is the perfect place to come to look for icebergs. Hundreds of icebergs float along this “alley” every year during the springtime. Whales also migrate along this part of the ocean! Twillingate is a great place to visit if you are an avid whale spotter.

The long point lighthouse was built in 1876. Unlike other lighthouses, it was built with a large double-story dwelling for the lighthouse keeper. Today the house is almost more imposing than the lighthouse. The house is used as the interpretive center for visitors. The lighthouse has a unique shape, the square base rises up into an octagonal design. The lower levels are painted red with a white lantern topper. This design resulted in the community nicknaming it, “the baby bottle.”

Nanny Hole and Longpoint Lighthouse Hike

You can descend downwards along the coastal trail from the Lighthouse parking lot. The trail leads you towards “Nanny’s Hole”. This hike and the surrounding views were the most reminiscent of Ireland to me. And seeing as so many of the first Newfoundlanders were Irish immigrants, one can really imagine why they felt at home here. The trail is 2.6 km long, so it’s an easy hike to do if you’re short on time but still want to experience the surrounding area.

Cape Bonavista Lighthouse

The lighthouse which stands on Cape Bonavista is my favourite lighthouse design. Something about those striking red and white stripes that pours down over the entire building makes it look like a giant peppermint candy. Caught in a sea of green grass. There’s something about lighthouses that draws people from near and far. Their presence radiates a sense of safety and solidarity, as though the light itself is a shield against disaster. And Cape Bonavista Lighthouse is no exception. It overlooks Bonavista Bay and offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.

Just across from the lighthouse is the iconic Puffin Colony. The little birds come to this safe harbour every year to roast and nest before their babies are born. The lighthouse itself was built in 1843. Back then, it was just a simple stone tower with a large glass lantern. The lamp was ignited by seal oil, and the lighthouse keeper’s job was to ensure it was always lit. He would purchase the seal oil from the fishermen in nearby villages to keep the lighthouse lantern burning. They were also charged with polishing the glass and recording weather and waves patterns. Today the stone tower has been encapsulated by a large surrounding building. Visitors can go inside the old tower to view the amazing lookout from above.

The lighthouse stands on the point where famous Italian navigator and explorer John Cabot first spotted land on his 1497 transatlantic voyage. When he saw the coastline ahead, he cried, “O Buona Vista!” which in Italian means “Oh happy sight!”

Cape Shore Trail

One of the best ways to see the lighthouse is to hike the Cape Shore Trail. This is a 9.2 km hike along the coastline and cliffside. It leads right to the lighthouse as the culminating point of the walk. This is such an incredible hike to see all different kinds of wildlife along the way. Although you can drive directly to the lighthouse, the hike is much more dramatic. The trail provides spectacular views of Bonavista Bay as you leisurely walk along the rugged coastline. Be sure to stop for a picnic along the trail or at the John Cabot Municipal Park.

Cape Spear Lighthouse

Cape Spear is a historic lighthouse located on the eastern tip of the Avalon Peninsula. Built in 1836, it was the second Lighthouse in Newfoundland and today is the oldest surviving Lighthouse. The colonist decided on this spot for their second Lighthouse. The area was located near the busy and rocky coast which stood near the entrance to St. John’s harbour.

Cape Spear History

Cape Spear was initially named ‘Cabo da Esperança,‘ by the Portuguese. This meant, “cape of hope.” But it was renamed when the French occupied the region, and they translated it to “Cap d’Espoir”. But over the years, the English just called it “Cape Spear,” which was their pronunciation of the French naming convention. Personally, I love the name ‘ Cape Hope’ and that’s how I like to think of the Lighthouse. No doubt, sailors coming in off the seemingly endless Atlantic ocean would have been overcome with emotion upon finally seeing land for the first time. A symbol of hope after their long journey.

To reach the lighthouse, you first need to climb a large set of stairs. This makes the entire experience of reaching the lighthouse all the more dramatic. As it seems to grow in size as you get close and closer. From the top of the hillside, you can descend down the cliffside via a series of boardwalks and wooden stairs. Standing on the deck facing the ocean, you are perched on the Easternmost point in North America. Looking out from here, you can spot Quidi Vidi Lake as well as St. John’s Harbour to the south. Plus an unobstructed view of Notre Dame Bay to the west.

Although the lighthouse is now automated, the lightkeeper’s residence is still on site. It has been restored to how it looked in 1839 when it was first opened. It now serves as a museum and allows the public to enter. They can experience what life for the new colonists and lighthouse keepers would have been like in the early 19th century.

Cape Spear Hike

For hikers, you can start your hike from the Cape Spear Lighthouse along the eastern edge of the coast. This fantastic 8.7 km moderate hike offers scenic views of the Atlantic ocean. If you make it the entire way, you will end at the lookout over Madam Cove.

Fort Amherst Lighthouse

Located on the other side of Signal Hill is a small square, tapered, wooden tower overlooking the Narrows. The Narrows is the only passage from the Atlantic Ocean to St. John’s Harbour, Newfoundland, bordered north and south by steep rock walls. This Lighthouse is situated on old Fort Amherst and therefore goes by the name Fort Amherst Lighthouse. The first Newfoundland British defensive tower was built on this very spot. It was built to protect the land from the invading French armies. Years later, in 1813 after the British forces left North America, the old Battery was transformed into a lighthouse.

The design of the lighthouse went through many iterations over time, and the current one standing is from 1951. A lighthouse was desperately needed in St. John‘s. St. John’s was one of the busiest harbours in Newfoundland. Ships coming in from Europe to fish from the Cod-rich oceans came in droves in the Spring and Summer. But what makes St. John’s harbour so special is that it is a naturally sheltered and ice-free port. So ships could come and go as they please here throughout the year. Sailors coming home would be greeted by this friendly lighthouse on their return shore. Various generations of fishermen find comfort in this lighthouse and it’s a mainstay of the community. Standing at this point, you have a fantastic view of Signal Hill across the Narrows and of St. John’s harbour.

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Deadman’s Bay Path

A wonderful hike that starts (or ends) at Fort Amherst is Deadman’s Bay Path. The hike is fairly difficult at 20km there and back. But you can easily just walk a portion of the trail starting from the entry point at Fort Amherst. The trail features beautiful wildflowers during the spring and summer and berry picking grounds in the later summer and fall. There is even a swimming hole on Southside Hill. There are several high elevations gains at the midpoint on the trail. If you’d prefer to avoid those, you can walk as far as the steep climbs and return. But if you choose to walk the entire path, it should take between 4-5 hours from Fort Amherst to Blackhead and back. If you can make it as far as Deadman’s Bay, you’ll be in for a real treat!

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King Cove Lighthouse

In the early 1800s, a merchant from St. John’s, named James MacBraire, came to King’s Cove to fish the rich waters. During the winter, he would hire skilled sailors to hunt seals. These brought in lots of money for the merchant as their pelts were very valuable. King’s Cove soon became a hub for his large fishery. But by 1893, the community was vying for a lighthouse to help the influx of ships in the area. The sailors desperately needed help managing the breakers and shallow waters around the cove.

King’s Cove Lighthouse was erected in 1893. It was made of cast iron and shipped in from England in pieces. This prefabricated design is the last surviving example of these pre-fab lighthouses in Canada. Unlike some of the other lighthouses in this guide, the King’s Cove lighthouse is an example of a functional structure. No ornamentation or flashy structures, just a simple stand-alone tower. The lighthouse was built on the headland jutting into the bay.

King’s Cove Lighthouse Trail

The King’s Cove Lighthouse trail offers hikers two options. You can take the extremely easy 1.7 km inner loop, which takes you to the lighthouse and back. Or opt for the 3.5 km outer loop, which heads to the lighthouse and then inwards through the seaside meadows. The pathway is actually a former country road that connected the lighthouse to the community. The views along the incredible coastline with remarkable geological sequences make this site a wonderful place to visit.

Lobster Cove Head Lighthouse

On the western edge of Gros Morne National Park stands the Lobster Cove Head Lighthouse. It faces the great Gulf of St. Lawrence and was the guide for boats entering Boone Bay. The lighthouse was built in 1894 to help the sailors on the west side of Newfoundland find their way home.

One of the most interesting parts of a visit to Lobster Cove Head Lighthouse is visiting the lighthouse keeper’s house. It has been restored to look and feel like it has been plucked out of the 1900s. This gives visitors a glimpse at how lighthouse keepers and their families lived in these remote locations. While they were only paid a few hundred dollars a year, their hard work was responsible for keeping so many ships safe.

Another unique aspect of Lobster Cove Head is the signal flags they have on display. These flags started to be used in the 1890s to send messages between ships and the shore. The different flags each represented a specific message. A banner with a “U” would tell the incoming ships, “You are running into danger,” while a “W” meant “I require medical assistance.”

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Lobster Cove Head Trail

Just next to the lighthouse, you’ll find the entrance to Lobster Cove Head trail. This is a 2.1 km trek which is perfect for any skill level. You will wander up and down the coastline into the tuckamore forests and towards the rocky beaches. When you reach the beach, be sure to take a peek into the tide pools. These tide pools contain a myriad of different sea creatures like anemones, fish, crabs and periwinkles.

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Rose Blanche Lighthouse

The most unique lighthouse on the island is the Rose Blanche Lighthouse, located on the southwest corner of Newfoundland. The Rose Blanche Lighthouse was originally named “Roche Blanch,” which means white rock. The name was inspired by the white quartz that is found in this area of Newfoundland. The same white granite quarried in the nearby mines was used to construct the lighthouse itself. It was built in 1873 and unlike the sleek designs of the other lighthouse, the rocks give this one a rustic quality. I love how the rocks around the lighthouse blend in with the lighthouse itself. Making it look like the building simply grew out of the earth.

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Rose Blanche Lighthouse Trail

A very short and sweet trail is located right at the back of Rose Blanche Lighthouse. The trail offers scenic views of the North Atlantic Ocean and the white rocks on the coast. You can wander through the picturesque community of Rose Blanche Harbour Le-Cou. Some parts of the trails are actually old roads. These roads were once used by the first mariners to sail these shores.

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Point Amour Lighthouse

The name “Point Amour” literally means “Love Point.” But shockingly, it was originally named “Pointe-aux-Morts,” or “dead man’s point.” Separating Labrador from Newfoundland is the great Strait of Belle Isle. This deadly waterway is known for rough seas and thick fog. The weather resulting in all these deadly shipwrecks over the years. The famous HMS Raleigh was wrecked just a mile offshore. Eleven crewmen died trying to swim to shore, but they couldn’t see the limestone cliffs in such rough conditions.

Four lighthouses were built along the coast to prevent such deadly accidents. This ensured that large steamships could travel safely between Europe and Newfoundland. The name of the area was changed in the hopes to rebrand the area and communicate the new safety standards put in place by the lighthouses. Of the four lighthouses, Point Amour Lighthouse is the tallest in Atlantic Canada. Reaching 109 feet (33 meters) built in 1858.

When the lighthouses were built, they were called, “Imperial Towers”. Their designs were based on lighthouses in the British Isles. The towers were made of bricks but covered in clapboard to protect against the rough weather. Today you can visit the interior of the lighthouse as the entire building complex is a museum. You can walk the 132 steps to the top of the tower. From here you have a panoramic view of the sea and land surrounding it.

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Raleigh Trail

Raleigh Trail is an easy 1.8 km pathway that runs around the lighthouse. It allows visitors to get close to the beautiful wildflowers and coastline surrounding the area. Walking along the trail, you’ll also pass the site of the washed-up wreckage from the HMS Raleigh and several other ships. The ship parts littering the shore like an iron graveyard.

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Fox Point Lighthouse

Fox Point Lighthouse can be found outside the small town of St. Anthony. Originally the land was used by French fishermen from Brittany. It was “officially” French explorer Jacques Cartier who “discovered” St. Anthony Harbour. But we all know it was occupied by locals long before then. French fishermen would come here for the season and then leave come winter. But eventually, they were pushed out and banned from fishing in favour of the local Newfoundlanders.

In 1850, Dr. Wilfred T. Grenfell arrived and built the St. Anthony Hospital, which grew the community substantially. St. Anthony Harbour was deemed the perfect place to build the first lighthouse in the area in 1906. The first lighthouse was an iron tower with a large lens lantern atop. It was painted with a framework of red and white vertical stripes. Over the years, the design of the lighthouse was altered. Today we can see the 1936 iteration which features a flat-roofed wooden building. But they continued the tradition of painting the sides red and white.

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The building beside the lighthouse, which was originally the lighthouse keeper’s residence, has been turned into an amazing Seafood Restaurant. It opened in 1993 and has been serving tourists and locals ever since. Nothing is better on a cold day than the lighthouse keepers’ seafood chowder!

Fishing Point Park Trails

Fishing Point Park Trails is a wonderful hike, which takes you up, up and away. The 3.7 km loop offers scenic views from the top of St. Anthony’s and is good for all skill levels. There is a large set of stairs to climb at the midpoint on the trail, but just take your time, and the view from the top will be worth the effort! The entire town of St. Anthony’s is spread out around you with the lighthouse you just visited dead center!

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If you are planning a trip to Newfoundland, a visit to one or many of their iconic lighthouses needs to be a part of your adventures! Let me know in the comments which are your favourite lighthouse or any other ones you visited that stole your heart!

Happy Travels, Adventurers

The post Best Lighthouse Hikes in Newfoundland and Labrador: The Ultimate Guide first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

I couldn’t help but wonder why these tiny fishing villages were given such brightly painted exteriors. And yet where I live, and in many big cities around the world, having a brightly painted house would be considered an eyesore! Or at the very least something totally out of the ordinary. I ADORED touring these vibrant Newfoundland houses. I came back home wishing I had the guts to ask my neighbours what they’d think about painting my house teal, golden yellow or best of all, bright red!

Table Of Contents

1. Red Ochre, the Original House Paint
2. Why Are The Houses so Colourful?!
   • Legends and Rumors
3. Heritage Newfoundland Paints
4. Where are the Best Places to see Colours Towns in Newfoundland?
   • #1 St John's
   • #2 Quidi Vidi
   • #3 Bonavista
   • #4 Petty Harbour
   • #5 Twillingate
   • #6 Brigus
   • #7 Dildo
   • #8 Cavendish
   • #9 Change Islands
   • #10 Saint-Pierre and Miquelon

Red Ochre, the Original House Paint

Originally most of the Newfoundland houses were painted in a rich, ochre paint. And it could be made right at home. Only in the early 20th century did mass-produced paints become available. Ochre is a natural clay pigment composed of powdered hematite or iron ore. The colours of the ochre can range from yellow to deep orange or brown. The name “ochre” is from the Greek meaning “pale yellow.” In ancient Greece, ochre clay was very pale due to its mineral make-up. But clay ochre can be found all over Newfoundland as well! Primarily in Fortune Harbour and Ochre Pit Cove.

To make their own paint, fishermen would mix the ochre with fish oil, seal oil and linseed oil. This no doubt stinky mixture would then be applied to the house. Evidence of ochre paint being used on Newfoundland houses dates back to 1610. They discovered its use on buildings along with Cupids Cove Plantation who still have the original paint. Proving its efficacy in these weather conditions.

Why Are The Houses so Colourful?!

There are several theories as to why fishing villages and seaside towns in Newfoundland have such brightly painted houses. The most popular theory is that when the fishermen came home on dark grey and foggy mornings, it was almost impossible to spot their house along the shore. But when they painted their homes or fishing huts with bright colours, it made it easier to spot when coming ashore.

Legends and Rumors

Another theory is that regular house paint would show fading faster in the harsh maritime climate. Normal paint would peel from the salty sea air and the winds and snow would fade the paint away. In many other places around the world where the weather is this harsh, they would have simply used bricks or stone to build their homes. But in Newfoundland, this kind of material was very expensive. Most fishermen made meagre wages and therefore could only afford a wooden house.

But then they discovered they could use the same paint they used on their ships to paint their homes. The ship’s paint was much stronger and could withstand the conditions. Ships’ paint came in brilliant colours so that other boats could see the vessels when on the water. Especially when you were out on foggy or stormy seas, being visible was of the utmost importance. This was also a money-saving technique as the ship’s leftover paint was free! Nothing went to waste.

Other people say that the luminous coloured houses are meant to bring joy to people’s faces when they see them along the hills. When you live in a province where the weather is almost always either windy, rainy or snowy, it’s important to brighten things up where you can!

Whatever the reason, it’s fantastic to see this tradition continuing even today! In fact, in towns like St. John’s, some of the old Victorian homes are still the very same colour as they were initially painted. Even after hundreds of years ago. It is an unwritten rule that if you own one of these historic homes you must keep it painted in a traditional colour. To help retain the patchwork quilt which makes up the colourful streets.

Heritage Newfoundland Paints

The importance of the multi-coloured houses is such that there is even a Historic Colours of Newfoundland paint collection. One day, the owner of Templeton’s paint shop, whose store has been open in St. John’s since 1863, found a collection of decades-old paint chips hidden away in the basement. This was a treasure trove of history. He worked with the Heritage Newfoundland council to get the colours developed as an exclusive paint line. The paints were all given with the most charming names. Mussels in the Corner, Little Heart’s Ease, Christmas Syrup, Nanny-Goat, May Bush Blue and Sea Spray Green are just a few of my favourites.

The names were carefully selected to evoke the unique aspects that make Newfoundland so special. The deep golden yellow paint named “Dory Buff” was used on little boats for years. It was the best colour to paint the smaller boats to ensure they remained visible even in rough conditions. A mossy green paint called “Ferryland Downs” is named after the Colony of Avalon and the mossy excavation site located nearby.

Looking at all these paint colours, you’ll notice there are “traditional” hues and “Jelly Bean Pallette.” In the 1960s, paint could be tinted from its original colours. This resulted in brighter, more pastel hues which have become the iconic colour palette in St. John’s Jellybean Row. There is a slight controversy about these colours as they aren’t as traditional as the older ones. Still, there is no escaping their photographic popularity.

Where are the Best Places to see Colours Towns in Newfoundland?

#1 St John’s

Jellybean Row is the name affectionately given to the rows and rows of brightly coloured townhouses that line the steep streets of St. John’s. One of the best parts of visiting St. John’s is admiring the fantastic eras of different architecture. St. John’s was the first fishing outpost for European fishermen. Therefore the original buildings in St. John’s were made for the working fishermen. These consisted of simple shreds, storage shacks, wooden piers and rudimentary homes for the fishermen.

St. John’s is often compared to San Francisco due to the steep incline of the street compounded with the brightly coloured Victorian homes. But it’s not just the colours you need to admire, but also the styles, accents and ornamentations. So many houses have beautiful stained glass windows sparkling against the sunlight as you pass by. Although the name is “Jellybean Row” the multicoloured house can be found all over the city. They are not just found in one dedicated “row.” But if you’re looking for the best place to explore to see the most extensive collection of colourful houses, then head over to the historic Georgetown neighbourhood. Here you can wander to your heart’s content and see street after street of rainbow-hued houses.

#2 Quidi Vidi

Just 10 minutes by car from the centre of St. John’s is the small fishing village of Quidi Vidi. Quidi Vidi was time and time again the most recommended destination when I told people I was visiting Newfoundland. Quidi Vidi was established around 1600 when fishermen arrived each Spring to fish for the cod rich in this area. Most of them would depart back to Europe come the fall in anticipation of Newfoundland’s frigid winters. But after a few years, there was the need to have a few fishermen stay the winter. They would take care of sourcing timber and fuel for the following Spring when the other fishermen returned. Small fishing huts were built to house these men, and eventually, they started to call the area home. They expanded from huts to houses and created their own little community.

Despite being just 10 minutes from St. John’s, Quidi Vidi has preserved a quaint and peaceful atmosphere. There is very little parking which means they can better control the number of people in the village. The fishing hunts have grown slightly over the years, but they retain the brightly painted historic colours that make this place so charming.

#3 Bonavista

Bonavista is most famous being the spot where Italian explorer John Cabot (Giovanni Caboto) first stepped foot. He arrived here in June 1497. When he spotted land from his ship, he was reported to cry out, “O Buon Vista!” In Italian, this means “Oh, Happy Sight!” And what a sight to see is Bonavista even today. Although Cabot saw the land without the beautiful houses that now cover the landscape, the beauty of this place is uncomparable. The town of Bonavista is one of the oldest villages, not only in Newfoundland but in North America! The cape was developed in the 1500s after the arrival of Cabot. The area around Bonavista was rich in fish and seals. It soon became of the most important towns in Newfoundland.

They built up the village along the rocky mantle, not along the shore. Since the seas are so rough here, the water would frequently wash houses along the coast away. Building the town along the elevated cape meant there was more space to expand and build large homes. Most of these homes were built by English settlers who were fish merchants. Eventually, they would build a break wall to prevent flooding and houses soon crept down the hillside. Today the city is known as being one of the dynamic and vibrant communities in Newfoundland.

#4 Petty Harbour

Just 16 minutes from St. John’s, you can escape the big city and find yourself in the centre of this small, picturesque fishing village. Petty Harbour is home to only 970 people who live here year-round. The first settlers established a fishing village here in the 1600s. And while a few modern conveniences pop up, so many elements of this village feel like stepping back in time.

Walking along the dock, you can still see the original fishing nets and wooden crab traps fishermen still use today. Scenic rolling green hills are the backdrop to the town’s wonderfully colourful houses. I loved how the houses almost look right down on the harbour below. It’s just such a charming part of the province.

#5 Twillingate

Located on the northeast corner of Newfoundland, Twillingate is one of the most remote yet incredible places to visit. It is best known as the spot to view whales, dolphins and harp seals throughout the year. But most iconic of all are the icebergs that pass by the town. You can literally watch the bergs float by as you walk along the rugged coastline. The reason the icebergs pass this way is because of the ocean corridor which runs down from Greenland, called “Iceberg Alley.”

During the 1800s, Twillingate was one of the busiest seaports in all of northern Newfoundland. It was bursting with ships coming into the post from all over the world. The ships would bring in supplies and carry away freshly caught cod. But today, it is just a quiet fishing village. It is only during the early summer months when the icebergs come to call that visitor’s flood into town. Throughout the rest of the year, this sleepy fishing village is the perfect place to come to get away from it all! Whenever you arrive, you can admire the quaint and colourful houses which cover the shores. And creep up over the coastline.

#6 Brigus

Brigus is a small fishing community located in Conception Bay, less than an hour from St. John’s. The town is known as a picture-perfect photographer’s paradise. Say that three times fast! Over the years, many an “Arctic Heroe” called this village home. The narrow lanes and winding streets are so reminiscent of English, Irish, and Welsh villages. The styles of the homes are also reflective of their immigrant owners. So many of the homes along their central streets have been preserved for the ages. They each retain a superb historic charm and, of course, those iconic brightly coloured exteriors. You can see the great 200-year-old church whose bright green roof always makes an appearance as you first drive into town. Plus peruse the site of the old Vindicator newspaper office and the old Orange Lodge built in 1860!

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#7 Dildo

Perhaps no surprise to anyone; it is the odd name of this town that draws people to its shores. But what they find when they arrive in ‘Dildo‘ is one of the most delightful fishing villages! Complete with some of the most amazingly painted boats and houses dotted along the coast. The original meaning of the word “Dildo” referred to the phallus-shaped pin stuck in the edging of a rowboat. This part acts as a pivot for the oar, a key component! Although many of us might think of something much different, this is the real meaning which inspired the naming of the town.

The town really rose to fame when the talk show host Jimmy Kimmel featured it on his television show. His team even made a trip out to Newfoundland in 2019 when Jimmy was named honorary mayor. After the town was touched by Hollywood, it was even given its own Hollywood-style sign. Jimmy Kimmel donated the sign to the community, and today it sits on the hillside overlooking this adorable town. And while the Jimmy Kimmel show might have put it on the map, it’s the splashy houses and lovable people who make it such a great place to explore. One of the greatest places to see and stay is at the historic George House Heritage B & B. This amazing house is painted such stunning colours, framed against the backdrop of the hillside looking over all of Dildo.

#8 Cavendish

Located an hour and a half from St. John’s are three of the most famous sheds in all of Canada. The three beach huts are painted in alternating red, yellow, and blue colours. They sit alone out near the shore, facing Cavendish Bay. While it might seem like a long way to go, Cavendish is just 20 minutes up the road from our previous stop in Dildo. These huts have been portrayed on postcards, paintings and more despite being so off-the-beaten-path. The sheds can be found just off Trinity Road South 80 along Beach Road.

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#9 Change Islands

The Change Islands are located between Notre Dame Bay and the Labrador Sea. Far off on the northeast coast of the island of Newfoundland. To get here, you must take a ferry from the mainland over to the islands. But it’s a short hour-long commute. Although there are only 300 permanent residents, they have kept the beauty and the historic nature of this community alive over the years. The town was established in the early 1700s by European settlers. But it wasn’t until the 1900s when the village would become a hub for schooner fleets working the Labrador fishery.

This influx of boats and fishermen resulted in the development of the brightly coloured houses you see along the coast today. As we mentioned previously, ochre was the original colour of the fishing hunt in Newfoundland. And here on the change islands, you’ll find many original structures painted in that historic colour!

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#10 Saint-Pierre and Miquelon

Ok, this last one is perhaps the most exciting but “technically” not a part of Newfoundland. Saint-Pierre and Miquelon is just an hour south of Newfoundland by ferry in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The French commune is considered a part of Europe and not even a part of Canada! But as it’s just off the coast of Newfoundland many visitors make this journey as a part of their maritime adventure. Saint-Pierre and Miquelon even use the euro despite being just a hop, skip and jump from the mainland of Newfoundland. The small island has had a violent history with the French and English settlers. Each side waging war over the years for control over the land. Finally, in 1816 the French took control, and it would remain a French colony ever since.

But despite all this violence, or perhaps in spite of it, the houses on Saint-Pierre and Miquelon are some of the most vibrant in all of Newfoundland. It’s like looking at a paint store chip wall with splotches of colours dotted the hillsides. When you are on such a remote island in the middle of the winter, these colourful houses are just what you need to bring in a warm smile to your face.

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I hope these brightly coloured houses and villages of Newfoundland inspire you to make a trip out to this fantastic part of Canada. And maybe when you come home, you’ll be motivated to give your own home a new coat of paint!

Happy Travels, Adventurers!

The post Newfoundland’s 10 Most Colourful & Beautiful Places to Visit first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

Stepping in here feels like going back in time. It is a joyful place to visit too. That might seem odd since you might associate medical museums with being a bit morbid. But honestly, the museum staff adds so much excitement and interest to all the objects on display. These old pharmacies would have been a local hangout and place to socialize back in the day and the friend faces inside continue that tradition on today. It’s hard not to get carried away looking at every jar and bottle on the shelves. Asking questions about what each ingredient was used for. Luckily, your guides have ALL the answers and will be more than happy to cure your rabid curiosity.

Table Of Contents

1. History of the Newfoundland & Labrador Pharmacy Museum
   • Restoration of the Pharmacy Museum
2. 20th Century Drug Stores
   • Work of the Apprentice
   • The Local Drug Store
3. Hours & Access
4. A Tour of the Museum
   • #1 Show Globes
   • #2 Ship's Medicine Chest
   • #3 Patent & Quack Medicine
   • #4 Poisonous Medicine
   • #5 Vintage Perscriptions
   • #6 Cod Oils
   • #7 Soda Shop
   • #8 Vintage Packaging
   • #9 Beauty Products
   • #10 The Guides!

History of the Newfoundland & Labrador Pharmacy Museum

In the early 19th century, the city of St. John’s in seaside Newfoundland was on the rise. The population was growing thanks to the development of the seal, salmon and Grand Banks fisheries. But a horrible fire in 1892 destroyed almost all of what was then downtown St. John’s. The fire cause 11,000 of its citizen to become homeless and cost over $13 million in damages. Government buildings, churches and commercial businesses were all burnt to the ground. This also included the eight drug stores that operated within the city.

In 1922, Peter O’Mara was one of the first to reopen a new drug store. The pharmacy opened at 488 Water Street, where we find the museum today. Water Street was located right along the waterfront. This meant the drug store could efficiently service all the naval officers, fishermen and sailors working on the docks. Peter O’Mara‘s druggery had been operating in St. John’s since 1899, but he had outgrown his previous Drug Store. And thanks to the fire this was his push to expand. The architect of his new store went with Art Nouveau and Art Deco styles, popular during the 1920s. Today, the pharmacy is a shining example of that kind of architecture and interior design that has otherwise disappeared over the years.

Restoration of the Pharmacy Museum

Walking inside this pharmacy, you’ll notice right away the amazing originally restored elements of the interior. This includes the original tin ceilings, ornate cabinets and aged maple flooring. All these were evidence of the money that went into the Pharmacy making it such a special place to shop! All of the original oak fixtures were made in England and shipped to Newfoundland. Quite a journey in the 1900s and a shipment that would have been extremely expensive. But pharmaceuticals were a lucrative business. And Peter O’Mara wanted to make sure his Pharmacy stood out. When the drug store was finally closed, the fixtures were sold off. Luckily, the museum was able to repurchase them in 1975. Turns out they were being used inside the nearby Donald Hogan drug store.

20th Century Drug Stores

The design of Peter O’Mara’s Pharmacy was based on the traditional British system of druggery. Therefore designed in a classic English style. This system focused on apprenticeship to learn the trade. Apprentices would be paid a meagre salary and their time in service as an apprentice would last years. They were given room and board by the advising pharmacist but little spending money. Many pharmacies would be a two-storey building, with a living space above the main shop. Apprentices would work for four to ten years before they would be consisdered members of the guild of Pharmacy. Only after this time could they practice independently.

Work of the Apprentice

The life of an apprentice was tough. After all, the job of a pharmacist held the lives of people in their hands. Proper training, good service and top-notch medical knowledge were of the utmost importance. The apprentice’s work would consist of simple tasks like cleaning, pounding crude material, preparing mixtures, measuring quantities and taking stock of supplies. Back then, you couldn’t just simply order all your ingredients. Many of them needed to be made by scratch. So when you walk inside the museum and see the hundreds of glass jars and bottles on the wall you really appreciate how much work making the elements for just one prescription would have been.

What is also super interesting to take note of is that all the labels are written in Latin. Latin was still a very rare language for someone to read or write back in Newfoundland during the 20th century. But this was yet another skill the apprentices had to learn. Latin was still being used on the bottles and as well as on the written prescriptions from doctors.

The Local Drug Store

The 20th-century Pharmacy was more than just a drug store. It was a local hangout. Every day goods were sold here, almost like a general store, it wasn’t just pharmaceuticals. And who wouldn’t want to hang out inside such a pretty shop?! The store would have also carried exclusive imported items from England and France like chocolates, candies, perfumes and other beauty products. Some drug stores even produced their own branded household items. They would be able to compound anything from furniture polish to beach, floor cleaners and ginger wine!

While Doctors were required for prescriptions for serious conditions, if you had a common cold or stomach ache, you could also go right to the pharmacist. Just like you do today with over-the-counter drugs. Stomach aches were widespread as refrigeration wasn’t standard and food spoilage was rampant. Treatment for these types of maladies was the most common over-the-counter medicine pharmacists would have developed. And depending on which pharmacy you visited, they might each have their own unique blend and recipe for treatment.

Hours & Access

Currently, the museum is open to the public by appointment only. But don’t let that put you off. Deanne (the museum curator and guide) is excellent at getting back to you ASAP to find a time to fit you in. Simply email info@nlpharmacymuseum.com to arrange a time to visit.

The museum is open Tuesday to Friday, but you can always inquire about other times if they have some availability. The museum is located along 488 Water Street in downtown St. John’s. There is parking available right beside the museum if you are planning on arriving by car. But this area of town is super walkable if you’re staying in the area it’s easy enough to walk to the museum. 

A Tour of the Museum

Lining the Pharmacy shelves are over 2,000 artifacts. Everything you would find inside a 19th-century pharmacy. Antique bottles containing pharmaceutical substances with their original labels face out to the incoming customers. Mortars and pestles, along with scales and tablet presses, are placed on the countertops as if ready to be put to use. Inside the glass cabinets, you can find perfumes and cosmetics right at the front of the shop. There was also a soda fountain, a staple of any good pharmacy back in the 1920s. But what are the BEST reasons to visit the Newfoundland Pharmacy museum? Below are my top 10 exhibit items that make this place so very special!

#1 Show Globes

When you walk inside, facing out on either corner of the shop are two ornate Show globes. Their golden lustre shines in the window when the shades are open. The show globes would have been used to advertise the pharmacy in the same way barbers used striped poles. The golden eagles hold a giant glass orb from the chains held in their beaks. One of the show globes is filled with blue-coloured water, the other with red. The colours inside the globes were used to advertise medical outbreaks in the city. This could be anything from cholera, syphilis or, in our current climate, covid. This ensured that even people who couldn’t read the newspaper were kept abreast of any fast-spreading diseases.

Show globes date back to the 17th century and originated in England. During this time, many people were illiterate, so coloured globes were an easy way to communicate to the general population. The two globes inside the Pharmacy Museum have named the globes ‘Belladonna’ and ‘Hexamina.’ The names come from common ingredients used in ancient pharmaceuticals which are the favourites of the museum curators.

#2 Ship’s Medicine Chest

At the front of the shop, you’ll immediately be drawn to the large open chest. Like a giant treasure chest. But instead of gold coins and precious gems, this wooden box contained shimmering glass bottles containing life-saving medical treatments. There are a myriad of different liquids and powders hidden away inside the various wooden compartments. The box contains ointments for burns, itching and other skin conditions. It also included a “clap mixture.” This was because sexually transmitted diseases were prevalent on ships and sailors on leave. There were also lots of tonics to treat upset stomachs, fever and constipation. There were compounds used for toothpaste, detergent and aftershave for daily use on the ship as well.

The “poison” chest was locked and only accessible by a key held by the captain. But not to worry, the poison wasn’t used for nefarious purposes. Poison was actually a common ingredient in many medical concoctions. But if not appropriately used, it would indeed be a hazardous thing for just anyone to get their hands on.

Also provided inside the chest was a copy of the Ship Captain’s Medical Guide from 1946. These guides would be held by the captain and could be used to find medical treatments for whatever is necessary. Ships with under 99 people often would not be required to carry a doctor on board. Therefore, first aid courses administered by St. John’s Ambulance service would help captains train for aiding the sick and injured on-board.

#3 Patent & Quack Medicine

One of my favourite types of medical history is “quack remedies.” A quack is a “fraudulent or ignorant pretender to medical skill.” They often will create unproven, usually ineffective, and sometimes downright dangerous medicines and treatments sold directly to the public without the need for a prescription.

Radway’s Ready Relief

The museum’s collection features ‘Radway’s Ready Relief.’ This was a counter-irritant liniment and carminative tonic. The relief medicine claimed to be a universal “cure-all” to help with everything from rheumatism, sciatic, fever and even nervousness! But the “medicine” proved to be filled with ammonia, capsicum (pepper spray), soap, and the primary ingredient was alcohol, at 27%! So more than likely if you took this remedy, you might just be drunk enough to forget about the pain. In the end, the company was charged $50 for their fraudulent claims, although this didn’t stop others from producing fake medicine.

Dr. Wilson’s Herbine Bitters

Dr. Wilson’s Herbine Bitters, from 1880, claimed to make your blood purer! The bitters were said to help with headaches, indigestion and liver problems. But in actuality, it contained more alcohol, which no doubt would have made liver problems even worse.

Dr. Pierce’s Favourite Prescription

Dr. Pierce’s Favourite Prescription was made to appeal to the “weaker sex.” Which in the 1800s referred to women. Dr. Pierce (who actually wasn’t a doctor) created this tonic to “regulate the menstrual function and quiet nervous female irritation.” Back then, the treatment of female problems was widely overlooked and not taken seriously. Often they just wanted to silence women rather than actually look into what was causing the pain. While not listed on the label, the tonic contained dangerous substances, including tincture of opium. The Ladies Home Journal even tried to prove this made a fraud after many women who were given the tonic made several complaints. But they were unable to verify the quackery but continued to advocate against it. This resulted in the journal having to pay Dr. Pierce a hefty fine for slander. Despite being right all along!

Lydia E. Pinkham’s Vegetable Compound

But there were those creating patent medicines that did the right idea and whose medicine had some real health benefits. Seeing how women were treated by the health industry, Lydia E. Pinkham was well known for making homemade remedies in her kitchen. She created treatments using a mixture of alcohol combined with roots and herbs. She would often distribute these to her friends and family, who would rave about the results. When the financial crisis hit, she decided to patent and sell her remedy as Lydia E. Pinkham’s Vegetable Compound. It was marketed to help with menstrual cramps and menopause symptoms. In the 1900s, one of the primary treatments by male doctors for severe menstrual cramps was to surgically remove the ovaries! Which had a 40% mortality rate. So providing an alternative was greatly desired by the public.

Botanical remedies have been used as practical treatments for ages. But she was one first to market them specifically for women. As a woman, she knew what really worked and what didn’t. Pinkham used unicorn root, which helped strengthen the uterine lining preventing the chance of miscarriage. Pleurisy root also helped cure prolapsed uteri. Black cohosh was an anti-inflammatory which helped with menstrual cramping. Lydia became a hero for women and even started a column in a magazine where women could write in with their health issues. Most of these women had been either completely ignored or mistreated by their male doctors and they found refuge in her column. Even though Lydia wasn’t a doctor, she gave voice to these women and acknowledged their pain as real. Which sometimes is exactly what you need to hear.

#4 Poisonous Medicine

Back in the 19th and 20th centuries, you’d be surprised to find that many of the treatments and tonics prescribed by doctors and pharmacists contained POISON! One of the museum’s most prized possessions is the Gibson’s linseed, licorice and chloroform lozenges. You heard that right, chloroform! Chloroform was actually very widely used in medical treatments back then as it had sedative qualities. Which we now know is because it is indeed TOXIC and LETHAL in large quantities. Sure, your cough probably felt better when you were unconscious but used in large doses this could prove fatal.

Belladonna

But an even more popular poison than chloroform was belladonna. Belladonna is a plant whose name in Italian means “beautiful lady.” Originally the plant’s berries were juiced and drank by women to enlarge their pupils. This was thought to give them a more beautiful appearance. But the leaves and the berries are very toxic when taken in even small quantities.

Nevertheless, doctors were obsessed with the results they saw from belladonna. And while toxic, it was true that there was some medicinal benefits from the plant. Belladonna contains atropine and scopolamine, which can relax muscle spasms, regulate heart rate and reduce body secretions (specifically in the stomach.) This resulted in hundreds of drugs being laced with belladonna. Most strangely, Belladonna Cigarettes were prescribed to patients who suffered from asthma! The idea was that the smoke, when inhaled, would relieve the spasm in the lungs. Today, smoking to help with asthma is the most backwards idea, but back then, poison was your first course of action!

#5 Vintage Perscriptions

In a tall glass box, in the front of the shop is a huge stack of old pharmaceutical prescriptions. The museum’s preserved prescriptions are also stored in a huge book that looks like an ancient tomb. While many things have changed over the years, the one thing that remains the same is that doctors’ handwriting is absolutely unreadable. (At least by the general public) But what made reading these prescriptions even more difficult back then was that they were also written in Latin. And unlike today, doctors’ prescriptions were more like a recipe. Not just the name of the pill or cream and the dosage. Doctor’s had to provide the pharmacist with detailed instructions and measurements to prepare medical mixtures using the pharmacy’s base ingredients stored along the walls.

Pharmacy Equipement

The pharmacist would use a variety of different pieces of equipment to make a simple pill. First, they had to precisely measure out the base ingredients using delicate measuring devices. Then the mortar and pestle were used to mix the ingredients into a paste. Often a percolator would be needed to extract medical compounds from plants. Then the pharmacist would have used the pill-rolling machine or pill cachet to create the individual pills. If the mixture was a liquid, they would have to press their own custom-sized corks to suit the size bottle required. Phew, what an exhausting process! 

#6 Cod Oils

Cod is perhaps what Newfoundland is best known for. Usually in fish and chips but also in medicinal oils used throughout the centuries. Cod liver oil was first used as far back as the Viking era. But in the 1800 and 1900s, you’d find it more commonly in European countries like Norway as a nutritional supplement. Since the cod liver contains high amounts of vitamin A and D it was commonly taken to during the winter months. In these Nordic countries, cod oil was a good replacement when there was no fresh meat or vegetables to be had.

In the 1920s, Cod Oil was being produced on mass in Newfoundland. It was discovered that the Newfoundland cod produced a richer level of Vitamin A, so it quickly became the prize place to export medicinal cod oil. For the next 50 years, cod oil was a popular supplement, especially given to children to improve their overall health. I have no idea how they got kids to take it, though, since it tastes exactly how it sounds, like drinking a fish! Today the use of cod oil has all but disappeared in favour of other, less foul-tasting vitamins.

#7 Soda Shop

Today we have SodaStreamers in our house to get on-tap access to addictive bubbly water. But back in the 1920s, the public would flock to drug stores, pharmacies and general stores to get their fix. But back then, soda wasn’t just drunk for pleasure, it was actually a medical treatment. In the 1850s, pharmacists would prescribe soda to people as cures for lethargy and headaches. Although this might sound off, we all know how sugar can give us a boost of energy, and I know lots of people who drink diet coke when they have a migraine. It’s their secret remedy.

Even after soda lost favour with the doctors as a medical treatment, people had already got a taste for the sweet concoction. So pharmacies continued to serve it as a sweet treat. Brand names like Pepsi and Coke began to export their products worldwide. But Noname varieties, made from flavouring agents, were also a popular choice. Often your local pharmacy would carry their own custom blends or unique mixtures.

#8 Vintage Packaging

Although prescriptions were required for many of the more serious remedies, there were also lots of products that the pharmacist you create from their supplies without requiring a doctor’s note. But you could also get handmade home cleaning and cooking products. Since they made so many of these mixtures, pharmacists would often buy a bulk label dispenser, so they didn’t have to handwrite every label along with the instructions of how to use the product.

These mixtures included “fluid extract cascara aromatic”, which was a laxative for children that contained 20% alcohol. “Parrish’s chemical food” was a tonic given to children, containing iron phosphate, carbonate of soda, carbonate of potassium, ammonia water, powdered cochineal, water, sugar and orange-flower water. Another very popular compound used in the kitchen was “Salt Peter”. Before refrigeration, botulism was very prevalent and extremely deadly. While salting meats would help prevent the meat from going bad, saltpetre was developed to help with the home curing of meats to avoid bacteria growth. But the high levels of Sodium nitrate when taken in large quantities was later proven to result in a significant increase in stomach cancer. 

#9 Beauty Products

As someone who loves wearing makeup, I really got a kick out of their collections of vintage cosmetics. Many of the products from their collections are from the Jergens company, a name brand we can still see on pharmacy shelves today! The Andrew Jergens Company was established in 1882 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Although many of us know Jergens best for its lotions and soaps, it was best known back in the early 20th century for its perfumes. Lily of the Valley is a smell I so closely associate with my grandmother and mother. I was amazed to find that it was one of the most popular scents in the Jergens collection. But Jergens also produced other perfumes with such exotic fragrances as Carnation Petals, Japan Rose, Lotus Flower, Scotch Thistle and Lilac Frost.

What many people don’t know about early 20th-century makeup products is that they were often made using the byproducts from, (are you ready?) slaughterhouses! Excess tallow from the slaughtered animals was used to make emollients in cosmetics. Everything from lipstick, eyeshadow and soap. Fats from the animals were also used in face creams and moisturizers!

#10 The Guides!

Honestly, the best part about visit the Newfoundland Museum of Pharmacy is the guides. There is so much to see here, and everything is bound to pique your curiosity. Getting to ask the experts all your questions is such a treat, and it really feels like you’re getting some sort of VIP treatment. So if you’re visiting St. John’s sometime soon, be sure to message the museum to make an appointment for your own private tour!

The post 10 Reasons Why You Need to Visit Newfoundland Pharmacy Museum the BEST Hidden Gem in St. John’s first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.