Return to The Rooms: A last look at the treasures we found 'Inside the Vault'

This summer, CBC N.L. reached out to The Rooms provincial archives and museum with a request: to open up the giant vault that contains Newfoundland and Labrador's history collection.

Curator Maureen Peters took up the challenge and combed through the vault, looking for artifacts connected to current events. She came up with six fascinating objects — and six stories to tell. No crowns or jewels, just everyday items from the past that can help us understand who we are today.

We called our series "Inside the Vault." Scroll down to see all six chapters.

This cello was 'the sound of Elliston' in 1850

The cello isn't known for folk music, or Newfoundland music. But in the early Newfoundland settlement of Elliston, this cello was the soundtrack to people's lives. 

This cello was "the sound of Elliston" in 1850

1 year ago

Duration 2:39

The cello isn't known for folk music, or Newfoundland music. But in the early N.L. settlement of Elliston, this cello was the soundtrack to people's lives. Hear the story behind this instrument in Part One of our series, "Inside the Vault".

Here's why this historic bait bucket is in ship-shape

A bait bucket is a back-in-the-day tool for catching cod, often used until it fell apart. So why is this bait bucket still in ship shape? Get hooked on a tale that ropes in the old Newfoundland Store in Toronto.

Why is this bait bucket in ship shape? Get hooked on the story

1 year ago

Duration 2:21

A bait bucket is a back-in-the-day tool for catching cod, often used until it fell apart. So why is this bait bucket still in ship shape? Get hooked on a tale that ropes in the old Newfoundland Store in Toronto in Part Two of our series, "Inside the Vault".

Heavy, itchy, and enormous: How sleeping bags used to roll

It's heavy, itchy and bigger than a modern tent. But the person who carried this old-school sleeping bag lived to be 104.

Could you carry this 70-year-old sleeping bag on a camping trip?

1 year ago

Duration 2:19

It's heavy, itchy, and bigger than a modern tent. But the person who carried this old-school sleeping bag lived to be 104. In Part III of Inside the Vault, we'll unfurl this antique sleeping bag and the story behind it.

Early women's regatta trophy tells a story bigger than sport

Back before women ruled the Royal St. John's Regatta, a pair of fearless sisters blazed a trail across the pond. Hear the story behind this rare women's regatta trophy.

Women's trophy from 1955 St. John's Regatta represents more than a win

1 year ago

Duration 2:37

Back before women ruled the Royal St. John's Regatta, a pair of fearless sisters blazed a trail across the pond. Hear the story behind this rare women's regatta trophy in Part 4 of our "Inside the Vault" series.

Get a taste of berry-picking history with this century-old jelly table

Have you ever seen (or even heard of) a jelly table? Berry pickers of today will appreciate this handy kitchen gadget from a century ago. See how it works.

How to make jelly (100 years ago): use a jelly table

1 year ago

Duration 2:41

Have you ever seen (or even heard of) a jelly table? Berry pickers of today will appreciate this handy kitchen gadget from a century ago. See how it works in Part 5 of our series "Inside the Vault."

Retro moose badges were a hunter's humblebrag

How can you dress to impress at both a downtown hipster hangout and deep in the woods hunting moose? The answer: authentic, vintage moose badges.

From the woods to the record store: Moose badges look boss

1 year ago

Duration 2:48

How can you dress to impress at both a downtown hipster hangout and deep in the woods hunting moose? The answer: authentic, vintage moose badges.

That's all for now! But you never know when we might look Inside the Vault again.

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