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All posts for the month May, 2022

New Aviation Exhibit in Harbour Grace

Posted by Lisa M. Daly on 29 May 2022
Posted in: 1919 Tans-Atlantic Air Race, Early Newfoundland Aviation, Harbour Grace Airfield, Museum. Tagged: , , , , , , , , . Leave a Comment

Last week, the Conception Bay Museum opened its new aviation exhibit. The previous exhibit was interesting but a little cluttered. Now, the exhibit offers a lot of information in an open and inviting space, and really highlights the aircraft that visited Harbour Grace.

Against a blue background, big white block letters read Lift Off. Next to this, in bold, reads, Harbour Grace's aviation story began in the spring of 1919, with the arrival of the Handley Page "Atlantic," considered the largest biplane in the world. More is written under that but it is unclear in the picture.
The start of the exhibit telling the history of Harbour Grace

I am on the board for the Conception Bay Museum, and it is a fantastic board. I don’t get to do as much as I’d like due to the drive from St. John’s to Harbour Grace, but when I can, I am proud to be part of the volunteer board.

A wooded propeller is over a doorway. The doorway is painted light blue. Looking through the door, the room is painted royal blue and white and large exhibit panels are on the walls. There's a large display case in the centre of the room filled with airplanes. Above the display of models is a larger model aircraft suspended from the celiling
Looking into the new aviation room

The new exhibit looks at Harbour Grace’s aviation a little more thematically. Starting with the arrival of the Atlantic during the 1919 air race, to the new airfield, then women and Canadians in aviation, and finally famous Harbour Grace aviators, the exhibit offers big, easy to read panels and pictures.

A woman in a blue dress and black sweater stands in a corner next to two groups of exhibit panels. Next to her, very clearly, is a picture of Amelia Earhart.
Me standing in front of the panels about women an Canadians in aviation, part of the exhibit that I wrote!

The highlight of the exhibit, and the first thing you notice are the model airplanes. These were made years ago for the museum, and for the new exhibit some board members took the time to carefully repair them. Suspended above them is a model of the Atlantic made from part of the the airplane.

The case with the airplane models and the suspended Atlantic are in the middle of the room. A window is behind the case and a view of the ocean. On either side of the window are more exhibit panels.
Another view of the exhibit.

In the small hallway off the exhibit are a couple more models, and the always impressive Airport Log. When I visited it was opened to Amelia Earhart’s page, which was fitting as it was the anniversary of her flight.

A case containing an open book is attached to the wall. Above the case is an exhibit panel. The only part legible is 1936.
The Airport Log

If you’re in Harbour Grace, check out the museum. Summer hours will be starting soon, and check their website for activities and events. Events differ every year, but there have been outdoor concerts, book launches, talks, and community historical walks.

Three pictures and a model airplane are in a window, The window looks out on to the street below.
More pictures and models

Around Harbour Grace there’s also The Spirit of Harbour Grace and the Amelia Earhart statue, plus the airfield. It’s easy to spend an aviation-filled day in the area.

A view of a grassy airfield in spring. The grass is shades of brown and green and the trees are still barren. Along the left side the highway is just visible and along the right are a couple of outbuildings and a lake in the distanc.
Harbour Grace Airfield. Taken in 2010.