SAINT JOHN (CNB) – Wellness, Culture and Sport Minister Trevor Holder unveiled a commemorative plaque at a ceremony today recognizing the Saint John Municipal Airport, Millidgeville, as a Provincial Heritage Place.
"It is appropriate to commemorate this designation here on the grounds of M. Gerald Teed Memorial School, which is within the boundary of the old airport, so that students will always be reminded of what an important part this place had in the history of the community of Millidgeville, the City of Saint John and New Brunswick," said Holder. "In fact, the monument is situated so that you can read the plaque while looking down Donaldson Street, once the main runway."
The Saint John Municipal Airport, Millidgeville, was designated for its association with aviation history in New Brunswick. It was the prime landing field for the City of Saint John from 1928 to 1951 and one of the first municipally owned airfields in Canada.
Many important and renowned pilots landed at this airport including Amelia Earhart, the first women pilot to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. During the Second World War, many Canadian Air Force pilots were trained at the airport and many other important aviation-related activities occurred there over the years.
The M. Gerald Teed Memorial School, in collaboration with the Aviation Historical Society of New Brunswick, is a focus of aviation history with programming and displays.
"I commend School District 8, principal Mark Crowley, the teachers, the parents and the Aviation Historical Society of New Brunswick for showing our students and community the importance of the Saint John Municipal Airport, Millidgeville, and aviation history in New Brunswick," said Holder. “I especially thank Harold Wright for nominating the Saint John Municipal Airport for this designation."
"I also give a special word of thanks to the students for being involved and interested in aviation,” he said. “Because of you and of your interest, this school has a reason to be involved in the history of aviation. This makes you part of a very special school."
For more information on the new Heritage Conservation Act, visit the website of the Department of Wellness, Culture and Sport.
LINK:
● Department of Wellness, Culture and Sport: www.gnb.ca/heritage
