Despres, Sebastien. Interview about heritage in Witless Bay.

• Main Author: Barrett, Terra
• Other Authors: Despres, Sebastien
• Format: Audio
• Language: English
• Published: 2014
• Subjects: Migration/settlement; Towns; Communities; Despres; Sebastien; Newfoundland
• Online Access: http://collections.mun.ca/cdm/ref/collection/ich_avalon/id/5574

Interview with Sebastien Despres in Convent Chapel in Witless Bay focuses on heritage and it's importance to Witless Bay. Introductions; Sebastien Despres was born and grew up in Cocagne, New Brunswick; After high school SD went to Mount Alison in Sackville, New Brunswick; Ten years ago SD moved to Newfoundland to go to Memorial University to do a Folklore Masters; He continued on to do a Religious Studies Masters then a PhD in Anthropology; 1:05 - SD describes why he and his wife settled in Witless Bay; SD explains how they found their current home; 2:33 - SD describes his home and his love for heritage homes; SD's first job with an Old Presbytery Nunnery; 3:23 - SD has studied architecture and feels it is one of his passions; SD explains how he gets to work with heritage and architecture as the mayor of Witless Bay; SD describes how built heritage is an asset to the town of Witless Bay; 4:35 - SD defines heritage; Focus on built heritage; 5:56 - Heritage and a town council; 6:20 - Tourism and heritage in Witless Bay; 8:05 - Adapting heritage homes to modern life; 8:42 - Discussion of why new community members would be interested in the heritage of Witless Bay; The allure of heritage for outsiders and the potential pain of heritage for members of the community; 10:45 - Modern furniture replacing heirloom furniture; 12:00 - The allure of rural Canada; Explanation of heritage paper; 13:29 - Heritage as a way to connect with previous generations and connections to a past way of life.