Geological Wonders

High rocky cliffs in Newfoundland
Marieke Gow Photography

This list is a selection of stunning locations you may wish to visit as you travel throughout the area.  For more details and other suggested locations, consider downloading the Bonavista Geological Tour app.

 

ROUTE 230         

Skerwink Trail near Trinity, Newfoundland
Marieke Gow Photography                                                                                                       

PORT REXTON 

10 Minutes from Trinity

Skerwink Trail Sea Stacks

Located shortly after Skerwink trail turns from the old railway bed to the cut out coastal trail, the sea stacks can be viewed early in the walk and still enjoyed by those who do not wish to walk the entire trail.   

        

Dungeon Provincial Park Bonavista
Marieke Gow Photography

BONAVISTA 

45 Minutes from Trinity

The Dungeon Provincial Park                                                                             

Visit the park to stand above a collapsed sea cave with natural archways as the rough ocean waves crash in and flow out of the cave.  There are many horses and cows grazing in this area.   

PORT UNION

25 Minutes from Trinity

Fossils

Head to the Factory Historic Building in Port Union.  In front of the building is a boardwalk with a set of steps leading down to rocks and water.  During low tide, you can walk out to see various fossils embedded in the rocks.

CBC: N.L. fossil shows earliest evidence ever of animals with muscles

 

ROUTE 238

Elliston Root Cellar, Newfoundland
Marieke Gow Photography

ELLISTON

55 Minutes from Trinity

Root Cellars

Built from the naturally occurring rocks in the area and dug out from the hillsides, Root Cellars have put Elliston on the world map as the “Root Cellar Capital of the World.” Root cellars look somewhat like hobbit holes and various styles can be found in the area.  We recommend driving past the puffin viewing site in Elliston onto Circular Rd in Maberly to view the best selection.  

Large Sandy Beach in Elliston
Marieke Gow Photography

Elliston Beach

The only Sandy Beach on the Bonavista Peninsula is located on the way to the Puffin Viewing Site.

SPILLAR’S COVE / CABLE JOHN COVE

49 Minutes from Trinity

Sea Stack

This area is a hidden gem.  Just a few minutes by foot from the road, or accessible from the south by the Klondike Trail, Spillar’s Cove offers a landscape, largely barren of trees, with dramatic cliffs and an impressive sea stack.

ROUTE 235

TICKLE COVE

40 Minutes from Trinity

The Sea Arch

This area of the Bonavista Peninsula is predominantly formed from slate.  The cliffs jutting out of the ocean are pinkish purple rather than the grey you see in most areas on Eastern Newfoundland. The sea arch is located off a small road just before the community boat slipway. People often miss it.  Our advice is when you overshoot it and find yourself at the end of a road looking at a rock painted like a quilt is laid upon it, turn around, see the slipway and you will notice a narrow road past it heading right.  Following this road. You should see a small sign that says “Sea Arch”.  We recommend walking past the viewing platform to the top of the cliffs for a great view.

KEELS

60 Minutes from Trinity

The Devil's Footprints

The Devil’s footprints

In Keels, take a look at a geological phenomenon known as “The Devil’s Footprints”, pockets in the rocks, which, according to local folklore, are proof that the Devil walks this land at night. Keels itself is a beautiful community to stroll around and indulge one’s passion for photography.  

KING’S COVE

45 Minutes from Trinity

Multi-coloured cliffs of King's Cove
Marieke Gow Photography

Brooks Point

This stunning cliff is located on the Lighthouse Trail in King’s Cove.  It is an easy grade walk and you can access this lookout point after 25 minutes or so of walking.

BONAVISTA PENINSULA HIKING TRAILS

COMMUNITIES AND DIRECTIONS

Movie Sets and Locations

PETER PAN & WENDY (Release on Disney + late spring 2023)

Genre: Drama

Starring: Jude Law, Eva Anderson

Synopsis: Live-action adaptation of J.M. Barrie’s classic tale of a boy who wouldn’t grow up and recruits three young siblings in London to join him on a magical adventure to the enchanted Neverland island. (synopsis courtesy of imbd)

Locations: This film was shot in both British Columbia and Newfoundland.  The rugged and wild landscape of the Bonavista Peninsula brings Neverland to life.    

Trinity – Fort Point: Fort Point located a 15 minute drive away from Artisan Inn is part of the municipality of Trinity and is where a British fortification stood until it was destroyed during a 15-day period when the French occupied Trinity in 1762.  The second installation of a fort was in 1812 to serve as protection against the raids of American privateers.  After the fort was abandoned, a lighthouse was installed in 1871.  The opening scene of the recently released Peter Pan & Wendy trailer shows Wendy on a beach in Neverland. This scene was filmed at the base of Fort Point showing the beach as well as the rock formation referred to by locals as the Naked Man. 

Other Locations: The movie will be released later in Spring 2023, while we don’t know what scenes made the final cut we do catch a brief glimpse in the preview of Wendy meeting the Lost Boys for the first time. This shoot location was at Spillars Cove / Cable John Cove. While not in the preview we know that scenes were also shot at Tickle Cove and the Dungeon. Spillars Cove/Cable John Cove, Tickle Cove and the Dungeon are all notable locations of the UNESCO Discovery Global Geopark.

Trailer:

Fort Point, Trinity – Photo Credit: Marieke Gow

 

MAUDIE

Genre: Drama

Starring: Sally Hawkins, Ethan Hawke

Synopsis: An arthritic Nova Scotia woman works as a housekeeper while she hones her skills as an artist and eventually becomes a beloved figure in the community. (synopsis courtesy of imbd)

Locations: This movie may be set in Nova Scotia, where the true life events took place, however, it was filmed here in Newfoundland.  

Trinity: The town of Trinity was used to represent Digby, Nova Scotia in this film. The mortuary on the road into Trinity (adjacent to the Eastern Health Building) was used as the wedding chapel where Ethan Hawke and Sally Hawkins’ characters wed. 

Port Rexton: A scene often repeated in the movie is of Ethan Hawke (Everett Lewis) pushing Sally Hawkin’s (Maude) on his cart as they travel to and from their tiny house outside of the town and Digby.  This scene was shot across from the Two Whales Coffee Shop in Port Rexton, an 8-minute drive from the Artisan Inn

Keels: The old town post office was transformed into the general store for the movie.  After filming was complete, a local business person turned the property into a tearoom called Maudie’s Tearoom.

 

Trinity, Newfoundland – Photo Credit: Marieke Gow

RANDOM PASSAGE

Genre: Drama

Starring: Colm Meaney, Aoife McMahon

Synopsis: A four-part miniseries that follows the lives and struggles of both Irish and English families that crossed the Atlantic to start a new life in Newfoundland.

Location: New Bonaventure

Random Passage was set in the early 1800s. The set for the community where the characters reside had to be built from scratch.  The location, just past the town of New Bonaventure, was selected because telephone and electrical wires could not be seen.  When filming was finished the town requested that the film set be left intact so that people could visit.  Even if you have not seen the series (8 hours long) or read the books, the site is well worth a visit.  

Random Passage – Photo Credit: Marieke Gow

Visit the Random Passage Site

THE GRAND SEDUCTION

Genre: Comedy

Starring: Brendon Gleeson, Gordon Pinsent, Taylor Kitch, Mark Critch

Synopsis: A Newfoundland village requires a permanent town doctor in order to convince a company to set up in their area and create jobs for those left unemployed by the fishing moratorium.  The village manages to convince a doctor to live in their community for a month and will stop at nothing to convince him that their small town life is one he does not want to leave.  

Locations: This movie was filmed throughout various parts of the Bonavista Peninsula

New Bonaventure: Joe’s bar was built specifically for the film with the agreement that it would be disassembled once filming was done, however, the town of New Bonaventure asked to have the set left as it was, so that visitors to the area could visit the set on a tour.  It does not function as an actual bar, but is used for special events such as kitchen parties from time to time.  Visitors can tour the building as part of an individual pass or joint pass with the Random Passage set tour.

Joe’s Place – Photo Credit: Marieke Gow

Tickle Cove: There is a scene in the movie when Gordon Pinsent emerges from the water in scuba gear after playing a trick on the doctor.  This is filmed in front of the Tickle Cove sea arch.  Whether you have watched the movie or not this geologically significant sight is worth a visit if one is driving along the scenic route 235.  

Tickle Cove Sea Arch – Photo Credit: Marieke Gow

 

Red Cliff: Red Cliff is where the Cricket Match was filmed.  It is possible to wander from the town of Red Cliff to this area, however, the trail is unmarked and not part of the Hike Discovery network, so visitors may do so at their own risk.

Open Hall: This was where the house the Doctor was put up in is located.  

Maberly: The scene where the Doctor is caught in the rain during a jog and finds his love interest taking cover under a stage was filmed in Maberly.

Visit Joe’s Bar

THE SHIPPING NEWS

Genre: Drama

Starring: Julianne Moore, Kevin Spacey, Judy Dench, Cate Blanchette

Synopsis: The Shipping News traces one man’s extraordinary journey toward self -discovery when he returns to his ancestral home on the coast of Newfoundland. After the death of his estranged wife, Quoyle’s fortunes begin to change when his long-lost aunt convinces him and his daughter to head north. Now in a place where life is as rough as the weather and secrets are as vast as the ocean, Quoyle lands a job as a reporter for the local paper. In the course of his new career, he uncovers some dark family secrets.

Location: The Town of New Bonaventure

The Director of the Shipping news spent two years trying to find the perfect location to bring the Annie Proulx novel to the big screen.  On one tour of Newfoundland, someone took him to see the set of the film Random Passage and as they passed the town of New Bonaventure he knew he had found the perfect location.

The House:  Many people ask us where they can visit the house from the movie, however, it was built for the film and taken down after shooting.  The house was located on an off-road from the Fort Point Lighthouse.  There is a new hike you can do around the general area called the South Side Hills Hike. 

Fun fact: Julianne Moore stayed at the Artisan Inn in the Barbour House during the 6 weeks of filming.

 

COMMUNITIES AND DIRECTIONS

Need more details on how to get to these spots from the Inn? Check out our Communities and Directions page!

Historical and Cultural Guided Tours

TRINITY

TRINITY HISTORICAL WALKING TOURS

Bring your imagination and join Kevin Toope as he relates the story of Trinity and its peoples; the Beothuk Indians, the French, the Irish, and the English and their contributions to a magnificent and colorful history. Through stories, historic photos, burial records, shipwrecks, and disasters you will time travel through the history of Newfoundland in the magical setting called Trinity.

Additional Links 

 Trinity Historical Walking Tours Website

Trip Advisor Reviews

Getting There

Distance from Twine Loft:  Walking Distance 8 minutes

Clinch’s Lane

BONAVISTA AREA

 

 

BONAVISTA ADVENTURE TOURS

Colourful yellow bakeapples are browned in a frying pan on a rocky beach in Newfoundland

A mix of tours including traditional boil-ups, an exploration of communities along Route 235 and a historic walking tour of the town of Bonavista.

Additional Links:

Bonavista Adventure Tours

Getting There:

Distance from Artisan Inn Trinity 48 minutes
Address: 148 Cape Shore Road

Google Maps directions

Trip Advisor Reviews

Bonavista Peninsula Activities

Humpback Whale
Paul Dolk Photography: This photo can be purchased from Paul’s Website

There are many places to visit on the island of Newfoundland, however, few places have the density and diversity of experiences that Trinity Bight and the Bonavista Peninsula offers. Trinity is ideally situated for exploring surrounding communities for half-day and full day trips including Port Rexton, Port Union, Elliston, Bonavista, New Bonaventure, Upper Amherst Cove and more. Use this section to plan your trips and activities while staying in one of the Artisan Inn’s rooms or vacation homes in Trinity.

Getting Here

Please be advised that there is a shortage of rental cars during peak season.  Verify that you can rent a car before you commit to reservations.

Public transportation is limited in the area.  There is a taxi system to get you to the Bonavista Peninsula, however, once on the Peninsula, there is no system to get you around the Peninsula.

GETTING TO TRINITY

Please be advised that there are two towns of Trinity in Newfoundland.  Our Trinity is located in the Eastern Region of Newfoundland and Labrador on the Bonavista Peninsula.  This area is also known by its destination route name, The Discovery Trail.  When searching online, please make sure you are searching TRINITY, TRINITY BAY.

The other Trinity is located in Central Newfoundland and is Trinity, Bonavista Bay

Driving Directions:

Trinity is located 1 hour from The Trans Canada Highway/Highway 1

1. Take the exit for Route 230 (near the town of Clarenville)

Drivers have the option of driving directly from Highway 1 to route 230 or they can cut through the town of Clarenville taking Route 230A that eventually meets up with Route 230.  There is little difference in time between these two options, however, the second option is more scenic and more convenient if you plan to stop in Clarenville, which has larger grocery stores and a large NLC (Liquor Store) for supplies.

2. Drive 50.8km along Route 230 and turn right onto Route 239

3. After 3km  you will see a large bay of blue and white buoys (this is a mussel farm)

4. There is a left-hand turn after this bay that leads into the historic town of Trinity.

GETTING TO THE ARTISAN INN

Once you have reached the Royal Bank you will take a sharp hairpin right turn  The Twine Loft is the second building on the right located behind a green building called the Barbour House.  All guests must register at the Twine Loft (self-check-in is not an option for vacation homes) and our staff will bring you to your reserved room or house.

 

Performing and Fine Arts

TRINITY

The Bonavista Peninsula is a place where music, theatre and art are sewn into the fabric of our being.  Here are just a few options for where to take in quality art or experience musical or theatrical performances on the Bonavista Peninsula.  Many businesses and not-for-profits announce artistic events throughout the summer season.  If you are interested in what is going on be sure to ask us when you register. 

RISING TIDE THEATRE

Photo courtesy of Rising Tide Theatre

There is so much to be said about Rising Tide Theatre located in Trinity that we have created its own page under our Explore Trinity.  2018 marks the 40th year anniversary of the Theatre Company. Its director, Donna Butt, has received the order of Canada for her contribution to the arts in Canada.

Visit our Rising Tide Page to learn about 

RISING TIDE SEASONS IN THE BIGHT THEATRE FESTIVAL: EVERY NIGHT JUNE – LATE SEPT

RISING TIDE NEWFOUNDLAND TRINITY PAGEANT: WED & SAT JULY-LABOUR DAY

RISING TIDE DINNER THEATRE: WED & SAT JULY-LABOUR DAY

 

ST. PAUL’S SUMMER CONERT SERIES

Come experience the exceptional beauty and incredible acoustics of St. Paul’s.

Admission: By donation, to be used for maintenance of the church

Upcoming Concert Dates: Wednesday July 7 – 7:00pm – The Scallywags (bluegrass, country / NFLD)

Wednesday July 31st – 7:00pm – Maureen and Friends: A Celebration of Newfoundland Music

Sunday August 4th – 7:30pm – The Ennis Sisters

 

TWINE LOFT ART EXHIBITS

Art Exhibit at the Twine Loft

The Twine Loft uses its walls to exhibit original Newfoundland art and a majority of the pieces are for sale.  If you are not a guest of the inn or dining with us, you are welcome to come look at the art between 10am and 5:30pm when meal services are not taking place.

View our Art Exhibits page under our Restaurant section to learn more about featured artists.

PORT REXTON

10 Minutes from Trinity

TWO WHALES COFFEE SHOP

The Two Whales Coffee Shop doubles as a vegetarian restaurant and gallery space, featuring multiple exhibits, often of Newfoundland artists, throughout their operating season. They also host musical performances multiple times a month.  To find out which artists are being featured or concert schedules, visit their website.

Two Whales Website

FISHER’S LOFT CONFERENCE CENTRE

The Fisher’s Loft Conference centre often hosts art exhibits in the main conference room. On occasional evenings throughout the summer authors host book readings.

Fisher’s Loft Website

 

ENGLISH HARBOUR

19 minutes from Trinity

English Harbour Arts Centre

ENGLISH HARBOUR ARTS CENTRE

The English Harbour Arts Centre is a not-for-profit charitable organization dedicated to the promotion of artistic and cultural education and the preservation of historic and cultural spaces. They are committed to operating an economically self-sustaining institution for the arts that provides learning opportunities for people of all ages and levels of artistic experience. Their multidisciplinary program includes art holidays, workshops, residencies, community outreach, special projects and public events. The English Harbour Arts Centre hosts various performances by some of Newfoundland’s most celebrated musicians including The Once, The Fortunate Ones, Matthew Byrne, The Ennis Sisters and many more.  

Additional Links

English Harbour Arts Centre Website

 

PORT UNION

30 Minutes from Trinity

UNION HOUSE ARTS

Art Gallery, Workshops, Screening Room, Artist Residencies, Community Events

Union House Arts (UHA) is a new community artspace operated through the Sir William F. Coaker Heritage Foundation. UHA is committed to supporting work being produced by artists and craftspeople in Newfoundland and Labrador through place-specific dialogues and collaborative programming in Port Union.

Summer hours are 11-5 Thursday – Monday, until the Biennale starts August 17th. Then the schedule changes to 10am-5pm daily.

Union House Arts Website

BONAVISTA

45 minutes from Trinity

looking out from the stage of the Garrick Theatre. A mic in the centre of the stage, red chairs and the lights are up.

THE GARRICK THEATRE

The  Garrick  is  a  multi-use,  200-seat  theatre  and  meeting  space  in  the  Town  of Bonavista.  Owned and  operated  by  the  Bonavista  Historic  Townscape  Foundation, this  year-round  cultural  facility offers comfortable  theatre  seating,  state-of-the-art sound   and   lighting   equipment   including   full   digital cinema,   and   exceptional acoustics.  At The Garrick you can find the best in performing arts and film.

Additional Links

The Garrick Theatre

 

For more information on Artisan Craft visit our page

SHOP LOCALLY MADE

For directions to these locations visit

COMMUNITIES AND DIRECTIONS

 

 

Shop Locally Made

Take the time to “Twack” as we say in Newfoundland or “Window Shop” as the rest of the world says.  The Bonavista Peninsula has become a destination where Artisans come to live in tranquil beauty and produce quality made cultural-crafts, including soap made from iceberg water, locally brewed beers, knit sweaters, locally made ice cream and more.  This list is focused on places where high-quality products are the focus and the artisans behind the products live in the area.

TRINITY

 

We have an entire section dedicated to what Trinity has to offer visitors looking to shop for Artisan Crafts and Eats under our EXPLORE TRINITY section. Click the link to learn about the following places

Trinity Crafts

The Green Family Forge

Mirabella Jewelry

Aunt Sarah’s Chocolate

Sweet Rock Icecream

Trinity Mercantile

The Cooperage

Lester Garland Craft Shop and more…

ARTISAN CRAFTS AND EATS IN TRINITY

PORT REXTON

10 Minutes from Trinity

A girl in a plaid shirt pulls a pint of beer

Port Rexton Brewery

The Port Rexton Brewery served its first mason jar of beer in July of 2016 and has quickly become one of the most popular destinations on our peninsula and the island.  Located in a renovated schoolhouse on Station Road, the brewery not only serves up a variety of beers including IPAs, Saisons and Porters but also serves as a bar and hangout area.  Please note that there is not currently a taxi service in the Trinity Bight Area, so please drink responsibly.

PORT UNION

25 minutes from Trinity

A clay mug sits on a rocky coastline with pack ice in the background

Wild Cove Ceramics

Here artist Michael Flaherty marries nature and art. He often works outdoors, digging clay, cutting wood, and collecting glaze materials for use in his studio.

BONAVISTA

45 Minutes from Trinity

East Coast Glow

This company’s mission is to create the purest luxury skin care on the planet using locally wild-crafted and sustainably grown botanicals and wild harvested icebergs.

Sweet Rock Ice Cream

Sweet Rock Icecream has locations in both Bonavista and Trinity.  The Bonavita location also sells a selection of Aunt Sarah’s Chocolates.  We won’t lie though, the view from Sweet Rock’s Trinity Location can’t be beaten.

Tree Line Fine Art and Craft 

Tree Line Fine Art and Craft is a craft retail shop and studio, owned by Morgaine Parnham, a textile artist from Portugal Cove, Newfoundland. Tree Line focuses on showcasing the finest emerging craftspeople from around the province. The space is also used as Morgaine’s weaving studio and she creates craft on site. 

This list does not include everyone on the Peninsula as new artisans are appearing in the area every season.  The Artisan Inn staff will be happy to provide you with a complete overview once you check in.

COMMUNITIES AND DIRECTIONS

Explore Trinity, Newfoundland

Discover the many reasons why Trinity is the perfect place to stay while exploring Eastern Newfoundland’s Bonavista Peninsula.  Trinity is one of the most walk-able town’s of Newfoundland, taking only 25 minutes to stroll the circumference of the town with various white-picket fence lined streets criss-crossing throughout its centre.   The majority of attractions and activities are located on the opposite end of town to the Artisan Inn’s accommodations, allowing our guests to take advantage of the peace and quiet of an out-port community while being only a few minutes away by foot from Rising Tide Theatre, whale watching, historic sites and shopping.

DOWNLOAD  Map of Trinity, Newfoundland

Puffin Viewing

Atlantic Puffins
Puffins by Paul Dolk: To purchase this print, visit Paul Dolks Website

The Bonavista Peninsula is one of the few places in North America where you can get up close to a puffin colony, without having to get on a boat, although, you can do that too if you wish.  

ELLISTON: BIRD ISLAND

Bird Island is one of the best places to view Puffins from land in Newfoundland. It’s location is accessible free of cost, but we encourage our visitors to contribute a small amount to the donation box as there is some infrastructure and upkeep required for the site and area.  

Puffin Viewing Donation Box

When you arrive at the Puffin site, there is a 5-minute walk from the road to the cliff that faces the island where to Puffins nest. Depending on the time of the day, their mood and the size of the crowd, the puffins may fly to your side of the cliffs.  

Elliston has become very popular with visitors.  If you would like to experience the puffins in a less crowded environment, we suggest taking a tour with Tuckamore Discovery Tours, or ask the Artisan Inn Staff when you check in where some other, more locally known, spots to view puffins are.

For directions to Elliston from Trinity please visit our page

Communities and Directions

Additional Links

http://www.townofelliston.ca/5ttd/puffins.html

Video: Candice Does Newfoundland: Elliston Puffins and Roots Cellars

Downhome Article about Tuckamore Discoveries Puffin Tours

Matador Network: Elliston Puffins

Information about puffins from Canadian Geographic:

The Atlantic Puffin is a pigeon-sized sea bird, the smallest species of puffin. Their black head, back and wings contrast sharply with their white underside, while their blue, orange and yellow beaks and bright orange feet give them a splash of colour.  

Puffins are poor fliers and evolution has not yet helped them to develop a graceful landing strategy.  While not as useful in the air, their wings make them excellent underwater swimmers.

Puffins live for the majority of the year at sea, but come to land to breed and burrow on the Bonavista Peninsula between late May and late August. Puffins normally keep the same mate and burrow from year to year and, on average, live for up to 20 years.

An Atlantic Puffin flies over Bird Island in Elliston
Puffins by Paul Dolk: To purchase this print, visit Paul Dolk’s Website

History of Trinity Harbour

“Trinity charms visitors on at least two accounts. Many newcomers are struck by the natural beauty of the area, a magnificent harbour and the splendid maritime setting. Others are touched by a powerful sense of history (Old Worldliness) and the pride of place instilled by the cultural landscape. Trinity is a community whose personality has been largely shaped by the sea. The harbour has been proclaimed as one of the best in Newfoundland, even one of the finest in the world. The harbour not only provided abundant shelter and good holding ground, but was also spacious. It was once claimed to hold the entire British Navy.

Trinity Harbour has provided access to and refuge from the North Atlantic since the early 16th century when it was first used by European fishermen. West Countrymen from England began using it as a summer station in the migratory fishery in the 1570s, and in 1615 Richard Whitbourne (later Sir Richard) held a Court of the Admiralty, the first of its kind in the New World. Since then Trinity has been the scene of many other significant historical events.”

-The above is an excerpt from Gordon Handcock’s “The Story of Trinity”, a publication of the Trinity Historical Society

The Merchants from Poole

In the early Newfoundland fishery  the most prominent merchants were from the seaport of Poole, Dorset, England.  Ships sailed from Poole to Newfoundland with salt and provisions, then carried dried and salted fish to Europe and then returned to Poole with wine, olive oil, and salt.

In the late 16-hundreds Poole merchants had settled in Bay Verds [now Bay de Verde] near Old Perlican on the east side of Trinity Bay.  However, the harbour of Old Perlican is broad and open and not easily defended.  Under Pierre Le Moyne D’Iberville the French attacked and burned many of the buildings in 1697. Fearing further attacks through the early 1700s the Taverners, who were prominent  Poole merchants, relocated their major premises to Trinity’s safer harbour.

The Lesters were also a Poole merchant family and were related, through marriage,  to the Taveners.  They established at Trinity in the 1750s. As well they were  prominent in a number of other communities in Trinity Bay buying Newfoundland codfish and providing settlers with supplies and provisions. They also employed many men cutting wood, trapping furs, and sealing. By 1793 Benjamin Lester owned 20 ships, the largest fleet operated by an English-Newfoundland merchant in the eighteenth century. Benjamin’s daughter Amy married George Garland and, with time, George Garland assumed more direct responsibility for the trade. After 1819, the firm became George Garland and Sons.

The end of the Napoleonic Wars and the conclusion of the War of 1812 ended Britain’s monopoly over the Newfoundland fisheries. Poole’s Newfoundland trade decreased  and, within a decade, most merchants had ceased trading.  George Garland operated his business until 1825.

The Ryan Brothers

The Garland buildings were leased to various firms until 1900 when the Ryan Brothers acquired the site and operated until 1952. James and Dan Ryan belonged to the Bonavista family of Ryan  merchants.   Under the management of their youngest brother Edmund the firm’s chief goal,  in Trinity, was to profit from supplying Trinity and Conception Bay schooners that were  involved in the Labrador fishery. The Garland/Ryan store in Trinity was one of the first Ryan buildings to be restored during the present era of historic reconstruction.  Visitors to the Bonavista Peninsula can now view many Ryan buildings,  some of which have been only recently restored.

Trinity Harbour Modern History

a young girl watching a fishing boat being built
As a child the Artisan Inn’s manager Marieke would watch boats being built in the Vokey Shipyard.

During periods up until the late 1980’s Trinity was sustained largely by aspects of the fisheries and business families such as the Vokey shipbuilders and  Bartlett’s Plumbing and Electrical. However, outport Newfoundland fell on hard times with the close of the cod fishery in 1992. During the following decade, ships were built, in Trinity, for a newly emerging crab fishery and there was diversification in the rural economy.  Today tourism has replaced the shipbuilding industry as the main economic driver in the area.