Placentia Area Historical Society

The preservation and promotion of the history and culture of the Placentia Newfoundland area including conservation and interpretation of both the O'Rreilly House Museum and the adjacent historic St. Luke's Anglican Church and graveyard site. Our artifact collection includes ancient Basque headstones at both sites. Guided and self-guided tours are offered at both sites from June to October annually for the general public school groups and tour groups. We also plan and host special events and programs to celebrate significant aspects of local history culture and achievements and we provide space at our St. Luke's site for other individuals and groups to host a variety of cultural community and family activities. Throughout 2024 PAHS continued our efforts to ensure the former Sacred Heart Church historic building was preserved for community use. In 2024 PAHS granted funds to the Placentia Parish Activities Society (a non-qualified donee) to purchase the historic building and the purchase was completed. In early spring of 2024 the Placentia Area Historical Society obtained funding to contract with a young local filmmaker to create a film to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Newfoundland and Labrador's Confederation with Canada. The issue of joining Canada was controversial among the residents of many Newfoundland and Labrador communities and and even among many families. The film focused mainly on gathering the recollections of individuals who recalled the living conditions in their community at the time and the controversy regarding joining with Canada. Many of interviewees personally experienced the controversy in their community and sometimes among their own family members. The filmmaker also obtained each interviewee's current opinion about whether joining Canada has proven to be beneficial or a negative outcome for the residents of Newfoundland and Labrador. Unfortunately due to delays related to post production issues and scheduling the premiere of