Fort Point: Preserving the Past, Inspiring the Future
- Fort Point is more than just a historic site; it is a symbol of heritage, endurance and connection to place - linking past and present while preserving the stories that define Trinity's unique history.
- Fort Point: Preserving the Past, Inspiring the Future
- Fort Point Lighthouse Interpretation Centre — Trinity, NL
- Trinity Historical Society Inc.
- Fort Point provides a different view of the historic Town of Trinity as it is located on a piece of narrow land at the head of the Harbour that was once deemed as "the best and largest habour in all the land" (Sir Richard Whitbourne, 1620). This little piece of land has a strong unique history in that it was first a Fishing Admiral Site in the 1700s; a military fortification after 1746 and then a lighthouse/navigation site. The work proposed is essential in order to not only preserve the Interpretation Centre as the building where the history of Fort Point is told but the work itself at the site (board walk, trail and palisade repairs) are all components of interpreting the history of the site and providing the visitor a quality experience. A vote will help to preserve, present and revitalize Fort Point as we explore new means of interpretation and visitor experiences that will be educational, informative, interactive and participatory. A vote for saving this site is one to help preserve and present hundreds of years of history to visitors; informing them on the uniqueness of this beautiful location.
- The project is to revitalize Fort Point now as it was shuttered in the 1990s when full-time Light House Keepers were no longer needed and the Light House itself automated. In 2011-2012 the Historical Society renovated/restored the former Light House Keepers residence into an Interpretation Centre. The building is now in need of work once again - new shingles, exterior cladding replacement due to rot and repainting; and window replacement due to drafts. The trail around the site has become overgrown with grass and weeds and needs some landscape work and board walk replacement as well as the palisades replaced. The work that will take place will revitalize the Fort Point site for a more enjoyable and safe visitor experience. It will be preserving local heritage while also developing new opportunities as we plan to explore new visitor experiences at the site (guest speakers on military history, geology etc); meals (picnics, lobster boil-ups etc) and this will build on the success of Trinity and area already in tourism with these new programs. There will also be economic/employment growth through the work that will be taking place at the site. We will be honouring the past while inspiring the future.
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Fort Point is a small piece of land at the entrance to Trinity Harbour, a Harbour that was in 1620 referenced by Sir Richard Whitbourne as "...the best and largest Harbour in all the Land" In the 1700s it was a Fishing Admiral location; in 1746 it was fortified with three batteries with 18 guns, a store house, powder magazine and barracks for 224 soldiers surrounded by parapets and palisades. Built to protect the mercantile assets in the Town of Trinity itself, those of the Wessex-Newfoundland fish merchants. The Fort being destroyed in 1762 by the French during a short ten day occupation and parts rebuilt before the War of 1812 against potential raids from American privateers. The Fort was eventually abandoned and a Light House built in 1871 for navigational protection at the entrance to the Harbour.
The site has a unique history from Fishing Admirals, Military and Light Houses with the Interpretation Centre telling this history through interpretation panels in the building; a 2 km walking trail around the former military site that interprets its history through panels and audio tour. Work is required on various aspects at the site to ensure a full quality visitor experience. - https://www.trinityhistoricalsociety.com/fort_point.html
