A Personal Connection to Abandonment

Brian Avery vividly remembers the day his family left Deer Harbour, Newfoundland, permanently altering their lives and the community's history. At just three years old, he watched as his parents loaded their belongings onto a boat and sailed away from the home that had been in their family for generations.

In the 1960s, as part of Newfoundland and Labrador's controversial resettlement program, more than 16,000 residents abandoned their homes in over 120 communities. The allure of modern amenities, like roads and running water, drew them to larger towns such as Clarenville. But with this migration came profound heartache and severed ties to the past.

Reviving Memories Through Tourism

Fifty-seven years later, Avery is spearheading a renaissance of interest in these neglected towns through his venture, Gypsy Sea Adventures, launched in 2020. For him, this isn’t just business—it’s a way to mend the emotional scars left by the resettlement era. "It took a long time for people to be able to look back without pain," Avery reflects. "But I always knew Deer Harbour had beauty worth sharing."

The situation exemplifies a broader trend across Newfoundland, where tourism efforts are aimed at rekindling connections to abandoned towns, fostering both economic benefits and cultural healing. Companies like Hare Bay Adventures, founded by Duane Collins, offer day trips to places like Silver Fox Island—a location steeped in personal history for many visitors. "We see families come to pay homage to their roots, often visiting grave sites of relatives they never got to meet," Collins explains.

Generational Influence and Community Bonds

The motivations for these visits are deeply personal. For Avery, the influence came from his father, who returned to Deer Harbour in the 1990s and found a new sense of purpose in reconnecting with his past. “It changed his life,” Avery recounts. His father has transformed his cabin into a museum of memories—filled with photos and stories of the long-lost community.

Today, Avery offers excursions to Deer Harbour featuring actual stays in local cabins, providing visitors with a glimpse of the area's rugged beauty. He ensured to engage with local families before launching, honoring the history and sentiment tied to their ancestral homes. His initiatives highlight the lifelong connections that withstand physical displacement.

Building Familial Connections Through Heritage Tourism

Earlier this year, he hosted a family from Bermuda, tracing their roots and enjoying culinary traditions, reinforcing that Deer Harbour is about community and togetherness. “That was the most rewarding part—bringing people back to their familial bonds,” he reflects.

As Newfoundland continues to grapple with the legacy of resettlement, this blossoming heritage tourism is more than just a commercial opportunity; it’s a poignant reminder that even in abandonment, the echoes of community can thrive anew.