Recognizing the O’Brien Farm Foundation

I made the following statement in the House of Assembly today:

I stand in this honourable House today to recognize the work of the O’Brien Farm Foundation.

The Foundation, established just a couple of years ago, is overseeing the preservation, management and interpretation of the historic O’Brien Farm on Oxen Pond Road in the district of St. John's North.

Thimble Cottage, the former family farm homestead, still stands at the site of O’Brien’s Farm. The Cottage was designated a heritage structure in 1992, and the cottage and the farm represent an important part of our province’s Irish and agricultural heritage.

The O’Brien Farm Foundation, in conjunction with the Newfoundland and Labrador Historic Sites Division, has developed a Master Plan to preserve Thimble Cottage and the O’Brien farm for future generations.

Visiting Thimble Cottage at O’Brien's Farm on Oxen Pond Rd

I attended the Foundation's Annual General Meeting on September 18th, and was excited to hear their plans.

The Foundation hopes to provide programming that will enable future generations of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, and visitors to our province, to learn more about our rich history of Irish settlement and sustainable agricultural practices.

I ask all members to join me in congratulating the O’Brien Farm Foundation on their work, and wishing them the very best success as they move forward