Signal Hill 75th Anniversary

Starting Point

Signal Hill was designated in 1951 as a National Historic Site for its significance to the military and communications history of Canada, and today the site receives approximately 750,000 person visits annually. To mark the 75th anniversary of that designation, Parks Canada wanted a way to highlight a lesser known part of the hill's story: the informal, personal experiences layered into it by generations of visitors, held in three volumes of the Signal Hill Visitor's Book from 1913 to 1954, now archived at The Rooms Provincial Archives in St. John's.

Integrated Strategy

We designed an ephemeral exhibit built around selected entries from the Visitor's Book, drawing on the belief that heritage should include the informal aspects of life and the dynamic nature of progress through the generations. Working with the Parks Canada team, we combined archival photos and guestbook entries with present day polaroid photos and a feature illustration by Noah Bender to capture that dynamic character.

Lasting Impact

The result is “Making Our Mark,” a whimsical exhibit that highlights the informal moments and events that took place on Signal Hill through the generations, connecting thousands of past visitors, from local legends to stars of stage and screen, to the visitors experiencing the site today.