Tourism, Culture and Recreation Minister Paul Shelley, along with the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador have announced the launch of three new tools to help promote and preserve built heritage in the province: the Provincial Register of Historic Places, new Standards and Guidelines for Heritage Preservation, and a suite of products to help municipalities recognize and protect buildings of significance. The announcement was made at the Murray Premises, a municipally and federally designated heritage property.

"Government supports the heritage sector as a way to strengthen our sense of identity and we recognize the important role of the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador in recognizing and protecting the Provincešs heritage community," said Shelley. The new Register of Historic Places is the most comprehensive tool ever produced for this province detailing information on historic places that have been designated at the federal, provincial and municipal level. The Provincial Register of Historic Places is a searchable database containing listings of heritage places in Newfoundland and Labrador. There are nearly 2,000 places listed. This new tool will assist the Heritage Foundation in carrying out their mandate while providing an important resource tool to the public."

Included in the listing is a description of the place, historical information, the architectural features that are particularly significant, and an image of the property. Some of the listings are designated properties, while some are buildings or places of historical or architectural interest.

"Every community in Newfoundland and Labrador has places that are valued for their heritage significance," said Foundation Chairperson, Dr. Robert Mellin, "and today accessing information about these heritage places just got easier with the launch of the Provincial Register." The Register is a useful tool for municipalities, planners, heritage professionals, policy-makers, developers, tourists, community organizations, teachers and students, and Canadians interested in learning more about Newfoundland and Labradoršs built heritage. "I encourage all owners of heritage properties to get their properties listed on the Register."