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Local Communities, Cumberland County
Town
of Amherst
Amherst is situated just inside the Nova Scotia border, next to the
historical site of the Acadian village of Beaubassin. Once the site of two
smaller Acadian villages, La Butte and La Planche, which were located within
what was known as the Beaubassin region granted to Michel Le Neuf,
Sieur de La Vallièr in 1676, Amherst now boasts historic buildings and
residences, unique downtown murals, and a thriving business district.
Amherst is a great place to visit; the people of Amherst welcome all Acadian
cousins with open arms.
Town of Springhill
Springhill, located just outside the boundary of the former Beaubassin
region, is a town rich in coal-mining history. Visitors may venture
down into a real coal mining shaft when they visit the Springhill Miner’s
Museum or view a stone mural depicting life in the mines; this mural is
located just outside the Town Hall. Visitors may also visit the Anne Murray
Centre and Gift Shop which highlights the career of the Springhill native.
Town of Oxford
Oxford is known as the Blueberry Capital of Canada. Blueberries are sent
there by local growers for processing and shipping by Oxford Frozen Foods to
locations all over the world. There are many lovely older homes in Oxford
and it is worth a stroll up and down Oxford streets to see these lovely
homes, then top it off with a visit to the Wild Blueberry & Maple Centre.
Oxford is also home to the Cumberland County Exhibition in late August.
The Village of Pugwash
Pugwash, home of the thinkers, is a beautiful coastal village with many
unique shops. The village, located on the shores of the Northumberland
Strait, was once settled by Acadians in the early eighteenth century. You
can take a lovely walk along the water front and if the timing is right you
may see a lobster boat bringing in its haul, or one of the large freighter
ships loading up with salt. Pugwash is also home to the world famous
Seagull Pewter company.
Wallace, Malagash and Area
Wallace, Malagash and area were once inhabited by Acadian families. It is
believed their main settlement was at or near the junction of the Waugh and
French rivers. It is also believed the Acadians once made clearings and
planted apple trees near Golden Brook at Malagash. The Wallace/Malagash
area is a beautiful coastal area boasting the new Blue Sea Beach Park. Visit
their museums and learn more about the history of these beautiful locations.
River Hebert,
Joggins & Area
River Hebert, Joggins, and Minudie are rich in Acadian history. River
Hebert was once an Acadian settlement and was named after the Hebert family
who migrated there. Its sister community of Joggins lies atop the now world
famous fossil cliffs. Acadians settled in the Joggins area in the early
1700’s where they mined coal to operate their forges & ovens. This coal was
also taken by ship and delivered to other Acadian settlements along the
“Baie Francois” for use in those settlements. Minudie still has dykes
visible that were built by the Acadians.
Town of Parrsboro
The Parrsboro area, including Partridge Island, was visited by Samuel de
Champlain in 1604. While there, he found a piece of amethyst which he took
to the King and Queen of France. They were so taken by the beauty of it, it
was made into a piece of jewelry.
Parrsboro is a beautiful
coastal town with many unique shops and beautiful heritage homes lining its
streets. Parrsboro is home to the smallest fossilized dinosaur footprints
which can be viewed at the Fundy Geological Museum. The renowned Ships
Company Theatre is also located in Parrsboro and is currently undergoing
major renovations. This beautiful, quaint town is definitely worth a visit.
Municipality of Cumberland County
Cumberland County, in which
all of the above communities are located, is the first county in Nova
Scotia, coming from New Brunswick. Be sure to stop by to say hi to all your
Acadian cousins and visit your original Acadian homelands. We can’t wait to
see you.
Just
Outside Cumberland County
Tatamagouche, Colchester County
Tatamagouche is a picturesque village on the Sunrise trail located just
minutes away from Wallace. The Acadians once lived here on the trade route
from Cobequid to Tatamagouche, servicing the French, the route split to go
on to Quebec, PQ, and Louisburg, NS. Plans are underway between Wallace and
Tatamagouche to co-celebrate the homecoming of Acadian descendants in 2004.
Sackville, New Brunswick
Sackville, NB, is located
minutes away from the site of Fort Lawrence/Beaubassin, and was once
included in what was known as “the seigneury of Beaubassin” which had been
granted to Michel Le Neuf in 1676. Home to one of Canada’s premier
Universities, Mount Allison is located in the centre of this picturesque
town, along with a waterfowl park and many historic homes.
Fort Beauséjour, New Brunswick
Located between Sackville
and Fort Lawrence is the original site of Fort Beauséjour where on August
11, 1755, the Deportation Order was first read, nearly a full month before
the order was read in Grand Pré on September 5th. The Fort is
now home to many artifacts from that time period and is operated by Parks
Canada.
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