Historic Holiday Program Scheduled for Annapolis Royal

The Annapolis Heritage Society and The Historical Association of Annapolis Royal are pleased to offer an unforgettable New Year’s Holiday Program at 7 p.m. on Tuesday evening January 3, 2012 in the Lower Hall of St. George & St. Andrew United Church in Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia.

Entitled A Reluctant Engagement: Mi’kmaw-European Interaction along the Annapolis River at the Beginning of the Eighteenth Century this interesting presentation will use census data and local parish records to compare local Mi’kmaw experiences to those elsewhere in peninsular Mi’kma’ki (modern-day Nova Scotia), expanding our understanding of Mi’kmaw interaction with European officials and Acadian settlers. In 1605 Pierre du Gua, the sieur de Mons, and Samuel de Champlain chose to build their small French outpost along the Annapolis River in part because of a nearby (and friendly) Mi’kmaw community. But, aside from the first few years of settlement, Europeans did not record much about the specific group of people who lived along the river’s banks during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Although there is little source material remaining from this period, the British conquest of Port Royal provides an important opportunity to gain insight about this local Mi’kmaw population.

Guest Speaker is Thomas Peace, SSHRC postdoctoral fellow at Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire. Developing from his PhD research on Aboriginal experiences of the conquest of New France, Mr. Peace will share his work on the Kespukwitk Mi’kmaq at the turn of the eighteenth century.  His PhD research, completed at York University in September, compared Mi’kmaw and Huron-Wendat experiences of the British conquest of Acadia and Canada. Tom has a master’s degree in history from Saint Mary’s University and a bachelor’s degree from Acadia University. In addition to his studies, he is an editor at ActiveHistory.ca and avid canoeist.

Additional information about the Annapolis Heritage Society is available at AnnapolisHeritageSociety.com To learn more about The Historical Association of Annapolis Royal visit TourAnnapolisRoyal.com

On behalf of all of the businesses and citizens, we wish you and your loved ones the very best for 2012 and hope you come in person to Explore Annapolis Royal in the coming year.

Enjoy an Old-Fashioned Christmas in Annapolis Royal

Ho! Ho! Ho! The heart-warming Victorian Christmas at the O’Dell House Museum, a fun-filled Winter Market at the Historic Gardens and 3 exciting Christmas Craft Fairs plus unique shops, delightful restaurants, historic accommodations and much, much more await you on Saturday, December 3 in Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia. Victorian Christmas continues on Sunday, December 4. For a schedule of holiday events, visit http://www.annapolisroyal.com

History Etched in Stone ~ Join the Fun on Nov. 1

Parks Canada Interpretation Specialist, Wayne Kerr, will give a spirited presentation about his latest book entitled History Etched in Stone: Gravestone Art and the Garrison Graveyard at Annapolis Royal on Tuesday, November 1, 7:30 p.m. at St. Luke’s Anglican Church Hall in Annapolis Royal.

The Garrison Graveyard is located at Fort Anne National Historic Site and has been the site of The Historical Association of Annapolis Royal’s popular Candlelight Graveyard Tours since 1992. Annapolis Royal is one of the most fought-over pieces of land in Canada, and the Garrison Graveyard is the final resting place for hundreds of Acadian, French and British civilians and military personnel spanning over three centuries. With the oldest stone dating back to 1720, (29 years before Halifax became the capital of Nova Scotia), it is one of the oldest and most historic English graveyards in Canada. Don’t miss this extraordinary opportunity to learn about our national treasure first-hand from Wayne Kerr.

This fun-filled evening is proudly sponsored by The Historical Association of Annapolis Royal. It is open to the public and is free of charge.

Calling All Brave Souls!

BOO! Numerous spook-tacular events will be held throughout Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia during GHOST TOWN, Oct. 21 – Nov. 1, 2011. Enjoy a Haunted House at the Sinclair Inn Museum, A Skeleton Revealed at Fort Anne National Historic Site, Candlelight Graveyard Tours, Ghostly Gardens After Dark and Goblets & Goblins at the hauntingly boo-tiful Historic Gardens. There will also be some great Halloween parties, a Haunted Seek & Find, Ghostly Geo-Caches, and some ghoulish sales and specials by Annapolis Royal’s businesses.

GHOST TOWN will conclude on Tuesday, November 1, 7:30 p.m. at St. Luke’s Church Hall with The Historical Association of Annapolis Royal’s Fall Meeting. Parks Canada Interpretation Specialist, Wayne Kerr, will give a spirited presentation about his latest book on the Garrison Graveyard, entitled History Etched in Stone: Gravestone Art and the Garrison Graveyard at Annapolis Royal. With the oldest stone dating back to 1720, (29 years before Halifax became the capital of Nova Scotia), the Garrison Graveyard is one of the oldest English graveyards in Canada. Hope you’ll plan to come sit for a spell, enjoy a bite and invite a friend to share this fun-filled evening with you.

For a fang-tastic schedule full of wickedly wonderful GHOST TOWN adventures visit http://www.ExploreGhostTown.com

Best witches for a safe and Happy Hallowe’en!

“OUR NOVA SCOTIA” Dancers Wanted in Annapolis Royal

Castlebay Concert Set for Annapolis Royal

ARTsPLACE, King George Inn and Westside Studio are proud to sponsor a one-night only concert with Castlebay, Thursday, August 11, 8pm at St. Luke’s. Tickets are $10 and are now on sale at ARCAC and Westside Studio. Don’t miss this opportunity to enjoy these popular Celtic musicians in person! http://www.castlebay.net/

The Historical Association of Annapolis Royal ~ A Special Evening of Fun, Food & Fellowship at the Habitation

Fifty members of The Historical Association of Annapolis Royal celebrated the 100th Anniversary of Parks Canada with a special dinner at Port-Royal National Historic Site of Canada. The Habitation is the first reconstruction of a National Historic Site in the country, built using Champlain’s plans and drawings from the original 1605 structure. Click here to view some of the evening’s highlights. (Make sure your speakers are turned on.)

Longtime member John Haikings gave a brief account of his presentation to The Historical Association of Annapolis Royal seventy years ago as a young lad when he was sent to Nova Scotia from England during World War II in 1941. His lovely bride of 54 years, Margaret, was by his side. John told how Margaret had worked as a secretary for his wartime foster father, Dr. A.D. Pickett. She typed John’s immigration papers and wondered if she would ever meet him. They got married 5 years later, and as they say, the rest is history.

Special Guest Speaker was Richard “Chuck” LeCain, the 5th great grandson of Francis Barclay LeCain. Oral history indicates that the GR1738 weathervane on display at Fort Anne National Historic Site (one of the oldest surviving metal works in Canada) was made by Francis Barclay LeCain. Francis arrived in Annapolis Royal in 1740, and by the time of his death in 1806 he was the oldest settler in Annapolis County. He had witnessed all the town’s stirring events during that period and left more than 100 descendants. The LeCain family operated a blacksmith’s forge on Lower George Street for three generations. His son, master builder Francis LeCain, constructed the old Annapolis courthouse in 1837 which still is in use today.

Chuck’s presentation discussed the life of Francis Barclay LeCain generally, but more specifically it also highlighted two artifacts left by the LeCain family. One was a sampler, done by his wife Alicia Maria Hyde, that perhaps is the oldest English sampler known from the area. The other was the weathervane made by Francis Barclay LeCain, which was secured for the museum at Fort Anne in 1923 by L.M. Fortier, the first President of The Historical Association of Annapolis Royal.

Richard ‘Chuck’ LeCain’s love of history was inspired and nurtured at a young age by his 9th and 10th grade history teacher at King’s Edgehill School in Windsor, The Historical Association of Annapolis Royal’s own Jim How, Past President and member of the Executive Staff and Board of Directors. Chuck graduated from St. Mary’s University in Halifax with a Bachelor of Arts (History Major) in 1972 and received his Bachelor of Education in 1974. He began his teaching career at Kings College School in Windsor in 1974 where he was a History Teacher, Senior High Bridgewater Jr./Sr. High School from 1975 – 2004 and later also served as the school’s History Department Head from 1980 – 2004.

Some of Mr. LeCain’s Professional Achievements and Activities include NSCC Consultant 2006-2009, Dept/Education Task Force on Canadian History Curriculum 2000 to 2002, South Shore School Board, Canadian History Implementation Team 2002-03, Manuscript Reviewer for Gage text ‘Canada’s History’ 2001-02, Canadian Representative Japanese Education Exchange – 1997, Vice-Chairman, Heritage Advisory Committee – 1990 to 1994, Heritage Advisory Committee – 1989 to 1994, Dept/Education Canadian History Correspondence Course Development – 1989, Consultant for McGraw- Hill Canadian History Text – 1988, Community Service Award, Town of Bridgewater – 1986, Quality Education Award – 1984, 1990, 1994.

Annual Membership in The Historical Association of Annapolis Royal is $5.00, and Lifetime Membership is only $100.00. For more information about the Association and its various projects, visit http://www.TourAnnapolisRoyal.com

New Jersey Friends Tour Annapolis Royal

Port-Royal National Historic Site was a fun stop on Durline's Natal Day weekend tour.

One of the 2011 Natal Day highlights for Durline Melanson, President of The Historical Association of Annapolis Royal, was the opportunity to welcome a group of friends from New Jersey to historic and scenic Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia. These special visitors were treated to an area tour of Canada’s first permanent European settlement and a memorable “Stroll Through the Centuries” in Canada’s largest National Historic District.

To view and print ALL of the photos taken during this tour please visit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/60655076@N05/sets/72157627325111534/

Some of the pictures are also on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2282380187811.230098.1498036074&l=db15ef4b5c&type=1

For more information about The Historical Association of Annapolis Royal and the various tours that are offered, please visit http://www.TourAnnapolisRoyal.com

“Naked at the End of the World” Comes to Historic Annapolis Royal

Final rehearsals for “Naked at the End of the World” are underway. The fun-filled play opens at the O’Dell House Museum in Annapolis Royal on Sunday, July 31 at 2pm. The next performance is Monday, August 1 at 7pm. There will be additional performances on Sunday evenings in August as well as a couple of Saturday evenings in Bear River. For additional information call 902-532-7754 or visit http://www.annapolsheritagesociety.com

Natal Days 2011 Celebrates 200 Years of Annapolis Royal’s Outstanding Volunteer Fire Department

Enjoy Four Days of Natal Day Fun in Annapolis Royal, July 29 - Aug. 1

Natal Day Weekend in Annapolis Royal offers a variety of fun-filled activities for all ages. This year promises to be even more exciting as we proudly salute the Annapolis Royal Volunteer Fire Department for 200 Years of dedicated and outstanding service to our community. As early as 1811 the residents of Annapolis Royal saw the need to provide fire protection and organized themselves into a local fire brigade. This makes our Fire Department one of the oldest in North America. For 200 Years the men and women of Annapolis Royal have unselfishly answered the call to assist their neighbours by providing continuous fire protection and emergency services to the the Town of Annapolis Royal and the outlying districts of Annapolis County.

A number of events are occurring throughout the year, including Natal Day weekend, to mark this significant event.  Please join us to celebrate this significant milestone of community service. For a complete list of Natal Day activities please visit http://www.exploreannapolisroyal.com/NatalDay.pdf