Connecting Albert County - Culture and Heritage - Connecting Albert County

Welcome Back to Harvey Hall

28/11/2022

by Don Bowman

Saturday, November 19th, 2022 was a special day for Harvey Hall. It was the last in a series of community volunteer efforts to help to restore Harvey Hall to a heart of events held in Albert County.

November 19th, 2022 was the last call for volunteer help and saw the completion of the usable emergency exit door that includes a railway tie stairway, new lights for the interior, and clean-up of debris, setup of chairs, stage, and final beautification, all to welcome guests and music back to the hall.

The efforts by countless volunteers over the last few months are why the hall was opened on November 26th, 2022 for the first time in many years to welcome the performance of Duane Andrews and The Hot Club of Conception Bay featuring Jim Blewett, Tim Isaac and Erin Power. The fine acoustics of Harvey Hall complemented Duane’s newest album that features Django Reinhardt’s jazz classics.

The music filled the hall and was felt by all who attended. This was an amazing way to reopen Harvey Hall sharing the talents of these fine artists. If you missed this, keep an eye open for events like this one that will be scheduled in 2023.
Although the project has brought the hall back to the ability to be used for shows like this, the spring of 2023 will be the start of another call to help with the continued effort to restore this magnificent building, making it a travel destination not only for the beauty of Mary’s Point, but also an Albert County treasure again.

Thank you again for another learning experience and some amazing home-cooked food.

Final Albert County Crew of 2022 Included:
Steve Chrysostom - Alma
Stephen Marshall - Harvey
Jane Chrysostom - Alma
Don Wilbur - New Horton
Melissa Wilbur - New Horton
John Ereaux - Alma
Debbie James - Lower Cape
Sharon Campbell - Waterside
Jeremy Wilbur - New Horton
Peter Brzezicki - Riverside-Albert
Daphne Leblanc - Harvey Bank
Don Bowman - Hillsborough
Desi LeBlanc - Harvey Bank

Recruiting Volunteers for The Harvey Hall Restoration

29/9/2022

by Jane Chrysostom

The success of the Harvey Hall is gaining momentum! If you’ve been following the Harvey Hall Facebook page or have seen recent activity – what IS that huge pile of railroad ties for? – at and around the hall, you’ve been witness to on-going progress!

With the currently small but dedicated team of volunteer board members, advisors and interested and willing helpers, there is MOMENTUM in effort! And it’s gaining! So far, two funding grants have recently been awarded for tens of thousands of dollars for major restoration projects, work teams have gathered to plan, engineer, and facilitate their implementation, fundraising efforts big and small have generated interest and enjoyment for those undertaking and participating in them. Also, just as importantly, we’ve welcomed several newcomers to the group who have diverse skills, interests, talents, and ambition to help bring the Harvey Hall back to its glory.

A Year of Celebrating a Milestone

29/9/2022

by Chandra Smith

September 30 to October 2 the Hillsborough Baptist Church will be celebrating its 200th Anniversary. In essence, it will actually be winding up its anniversary year. The church has been celebrating this special milestone anniversary with different events held throughout the year.

In March, members went to Broadleaf Ranch and participated in an old-fashioned sleigh ride with hot chocolate and cookies. There was also space provided inside the lodge where people of all ages played games together.

History of Riverside Consolidated School

30/8/2022

by Dawne (Wright) McLean, RCS student 1957-1967 & RCS teacher 1975-2005

September 2022 will mark the 117th Anniversary of the opening of the Riverside Consolidated School in Riverside-Albert in 1905!

As you read about the impressive history of Riverside Consolidated School, we can proudly say that “Riverside Consolidated is the oldest consolidated school still in use as a school in New Brunswick, and no doubt in all of Canada!”

It is remarkable when you stop to think of all the generations of students that RCS has served, and served well, since that September morning in 1905 when the students, wearing their new “duds”, excitedly entered the newly built school to see what their classrooms and desks would be like and to meet their new teachers! Now remember, the Boys entered on one side of the building and the Girls entered from the opposite side. (It was made very clear by the signs above the entrances.)

Amalgamation is coming. What does that mean for Entity 42?

30/8/2022

by Amanda Rossiter and Bob Rochon

The upcoming amalgamations of municipal areas in New Brunswick have spurred many questions in the community and I also have many questions myself. My belief is that it’s time to ask the questions and provide a review of what is coming. The following are the questions that I asked and the responses that were given. Responses were prepared by Bob Rochon, member of the Entity 42 Elected Officials Advisory Committee and Mayor of the Village of Hillsborough and reviewed by Governance Reform Facilitator, Chad Peters.

Amazing History of Albert County Shared with a Unique Mobile Exhibit

30/3/2022

Submitted by: Janet Clouston, Managing Director, Albert County Museum

Readers of Connecting Albert County may recall the “Albert County 175” programming that was hosted in 2020 with the support of the Government of Canada. Over the course of the year, the popular photo-a-day program was shared on our website blog and on Facebook and Twitter. Several concerts were held, including the outdoor Rising Tide Festival concert near the Exhibition Hall, as well as the 100th anniversary re-dedication of the WWI field guns held in the “square” and the Artisan Showcase held in the Court House. A commemorative AC175 souvenir magazine was produced and mailed to every household in Albert County, as well as to the schools. Of the 20,000 printed magazines, only a few copies remain. The AC175 collector’s pin that was designed is still proudly worn by local residents.

Museum Celebrating Diamond Jubilee

27/2/2022

Donald Bishop, Warden of Albert County, is pictured cutting the ribbon to officially open the Albert County Museum at Hopewell Cape on Saturday, May 19, 1962. Looking on is Allison Steeves, President of the Albert County Historical Society, which operates the museum.

by Janet Clouston

We are pleased to share the content from this article from 1962 with the readers of Connecting Albert County. The Albert County Museum opened with 200 items in their collection and we now have nearly 9000 items!

One of the items is the Guest Book from the 1962 season with the names of the guests who visited during the first year the Museum was in operation. We hope you enjoy the article and photo. We look forward to welcoming you to the Museum during the 60th Anniversary in 2022!

Albert County "Home Sweet Home” Audio/Visual Experience

27/2/2022

Don Coleman in Video Photo taken from Facebook Page: Albert County Home Sweet Home

By Kathryn Kay

Albert County, NB based songwriter Don Coleman, who is endorsed by Gordon Lightfoot for the song he penned about the iconic Canadian troubadour, has released his latest song and music video that is called the “Albert County Home Sweet Home” Audio/Visual experience.

Anniversary of the Albert County Museum

1/1/2022

By Janet Clouston

The Albert County Historical Society is pleased to announce the 60th Anniversary of the Albert County Museum will take place in 2022. The Museum, located in Hopewell Cape, NB, opened to the public in 1962 on the site of the historic 1845 “Shiretown” of Albert County, the once-bustling municipality capital.

“The Albert County Museum came into existence because a group of Albert County citizens knew the importance of preserving the history and artefacts of past generations,” expressed Dawne McLean, President of the Albert County Historical Society. “Without the Museum, valuable information of our past would have been erased....never to be appreciated by future generations.”

Throughout 2022, the amazing history of the area will be shared through in-person events, as well as by digital means, including the Albert County Museum (ACM) website, social media and special videos.

Programming will be for history lovers of all ages and, where possible, will be free of charge, available at a nominal fee, or included with paid admission to the Museum.

Newcomers to our Community

25/9/2021

Connecting Albert County and the CCRC Welcome Committee have invited newcomers to share their stories about why they have moved to rural Albert County.

We welcome Judy and Don Bryant, Kathryn Opyc and our many other new neighbours!

HURRR!! at Harvey Hall

27/7/2021

By Jane Chrysostom

Laughter, challenges, purpose…that sums up the volunteer efforts that surrounded the creation of the Harvey Hall Sea Shanty. Starting from a mere suggestion in casual conversation to a final professional digital video production, its evolution was a thoroughly fulfilling and successful effort.

Celebrate Canada and RB Bennett Days with the Albert County Historical Society

25/6/2021

By Janet Clouston

The Albert County Historical Society invites you and your family to take part in a special program that begins with Canada Day on Thursday, July 1st and ends with RB Bennett Day on Saturday, July 3rd. We will welcome visitors from New Brunswick and the Atlantic Bubble in recognition of Canada’s 11th Prime Minister and the 90th Anniversary of the Statute of Westminster, which forever changed Canada’s role in the British Commonwealth.
When Prime Minister Bennett signed the Statute of West- minster in 1931, Canada gained its independence from Britain. Canada acquired formal control over its external affairs and the British laws no longer applied to Canada (with the notable exception of the British North America Act of 1867). After signing the Statute of Westminster, RB Bennett said, "I realize that this is the culmination of a long, long effort that has been made since we were a colony, to become the self-governing Dominion."

Invest in the Place You Love: Grass Roots CEDC

25/6/2021

by Janet Wallace

“Buy Local.” It’s a common yet valuable message. It’s easy to see the advantage of supporting local businesses, particularly in rural Albert County. When we buy goods or services from small businesses in our area, we help provide income not just for those entrepreneurs, but also employment for their staff (possibly our neighbours) and help keep local services available in our community.

Historic Harvey Hall To Be Restored

21/2/2021

Image by Tracy Munson Photography

Shared community spaces are integral to Albert County’s charm
By Madeline Taylor

During a year where most have spent the majority of their time at home, one begins to consider what makes home really special. A favourite chair. A window with a view. A cozy wood stove.

What about when the definition of “home” goes beyond four walls? A place might come to mind. The place where you grew up or chose to build a life. A city. A small town. A collection of hamlets and villages. Maybe somewhere like Albert County.

What makes Albert County a special place to call home? For some, it could be the natural, rugged beauty. The rolling hills left over from days past when mountains towered over the eastern coast of our continent, or the tides that lend a constant rhythm to our days. Others might say it’s the people that make Albert County so special. Friendly waves exchanged between drivers passing by. A shared meal between neighbours. True and genuine interest in the well-being of those who share your small corner of the world. A sense of com- munity that is unrivaled and truly missed when finding yourself far from home.

The Search for Lewis Steeves

25/10/2020

Image by J. Wallace: Headstone in Harvey

By Idella (Steeves) Lazar

“Without the past, there is no present, nor can we build a future.” Anon.

I was born a Steeves from the line of Lewis, the 7th son of Heinrich and Rachel. Lewis died in 1827. Some time ago, our family discovered where Lewis was buried and we were pleasantly surprised that the headstone is still standing and legible.

"So what?" some would say.

A Focus on Fundy Ceilidh

21/6/2019

By Steve Arsenault, Sara Liptay & Ian Duncan

Music is a curious thing; a few notes can capture your imagination, telling you a story and stirring up emotions without a single word. From simple folk tunes to vast symphonic suites, music points back to the culture from which it grew, but also builds bridges between the players and the listeners. Celtic music is a prime example of this as it draws from a history stretching back to before music was written down and has been carried forward, influenced by countless cultures, to keep it very much alive today.

2019 Quilt and Fibre Arts Show and Sale: July 9-13th

21/6/2019

The 43rd Annual Quilt and Fibre Arts Show and Sale is being held from Tuesday, July 9th until Saturday, July 13th from 9:30am until 5:30pm daily in the Community Hall at the Albert County Museum, Hopewell Cape NB. There will be more than 100 quilts from Baby and Lap size to Queen Size featuring various quilting patterns, styles and techniques in either machine or hand quilting. In addition to the quilts and quilts tops, there will be a variety of smaller finished items – sewn, knitted, crocheted, cross-stitched -- if it is made from fibre, you may find it at the show. The Show and Sale gives local fibre artists and craft persons the opportunity to showcase their creativity.

Albert County Exhibition: 105th Anniversary Tribute

5/9/2018

Article and pictures by Dawne McLean

The Albert County Exhibition is proud to be the second oldest agricultural fair in New Brunswick. In commemoration of the 105th anniversary of the Albert County Exhibition, it is only fitting that a tribute be given in recognition of all the directors and volunteers, whose community involvement and commitment over the past century have enabled the exhibition to reach this milestone of 105 years, when so many other rural exhibitions have disappeared from our Canadian society.

The Hidden Gem in the Heart of Albert County

23/7/2018

Greetings from the Albert County Museum. The 2018 summer season is in full swing and we are so pleased to be welcoming the flocks of tourists visiting the many world class attractions in our wonderful county.
A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of giving a tour of the museum to a group of visitors from Texas. Very nice folk and quite insistent that they had never seen such an amazing and well-preserved array of artifacts and buildings. They told me it was just by luck that they noticed the Victory Cannons from the highway and decided to stop for a photo. One of the ladies exclaimed, "Can you imagine my surprise when I turned away from the cannons and there, right in front of me, was a beautiful display of heritage buildings in all their glory!" She grabbed me by the elbow and stared at me with her wide blue eyes and said, "You do realize what a jewel you have here!"

Excerpts from Our Love Journey by Barbara J. White

9/3/2018

"I was six, and the beginning of my school days arrived. In September I started first grade at the Hopewell Hill School, the same elementary school my father attended as a child. It was a "little red schoolhouse" situated on the top of a hill. Grades one through six all met in the same room and was taught by one teacher, Mrs. McGorman. There were no school buses and most provided their own transportation through walking. During the cold, snowy winter months, I sometimes got a ride to school with my Aunt Verna Stone. Not in a car or bus―she drove the local school van bringing the children from Woodworth Settlement in the back roads of Albert County to the main road. Her mode of transportation in winter was a covered wagon sleigh pulled along by her horse. When I relate this to my grandchildren, they think I lived during the Little House on the Prairie days."

This is an excerpt from Barbara Newcomb White`s recently published book, Our Love Journey. Barbara was born in Riverside, Albert Co., lived in Hopewell Hill in her childhood, and went to high school at Riverside Consolidated School. Her new book, Our Love Journey, is a memoir of her beginnings in Albert County before going to nations in six continents preaching the Gospel.

Gardening the Albert County Way ~ Tina & Cam Fenton

29/4/2017

Phyllis Sutherland’s first gardening column is a tribute to Tina & Cam Fenton in recognition of their role in helping Albert County’s gardeners. Following columns will focus on gardening and landscaping techniques, approaches, questions and answers, and more.

Sistema: a noteworthy program

22/3/2017

Story & photos by Janet Wallace

Keeping elementary students focused on one activity for an hour is a challenge, particularly when they’ve been in classes all morning, yet Sara Liptay succeeds.

At Hillsborough Elementary School, 21 students from grades one to three spend every lunch hour learning to play the violin.

Sistema-NB, a program of the New Brunswick Youth Orchestra, was inspired by the highly successful El Sistema initiative in Venezuela. The concept is to create social change through music. Sistema-inspired programs are in sixty countries; Sistema-NB is the largest such program in Canada and one of the largest in North America.

Tapping into a Treasure

15/3/2017

Story and photography by Deborah Carr

There can be no greater harbinger of a New Brunswick spring than the sight of silver buckets affixed to the majestic sugar maple (Acer saccharum). They bring visions of sticky sweet maple taffy, creamy butter, blocks of sugar, or buttermilk pancakes swimming in pure fragrant syrup.

And there can be nothing to enliven the winter-weary heart more than an excursion to the sugar woods on a sunny, warm spring day. Search out one of these traditional wooden sugar shacks and you’ll find a social springtime gathering place where wood smoke competes with the maple steam, and the ‘one-upping’ stories compete with the sugaring chores.

The Shoe Tree

14/7/2016

Story and tree photographs by Deborah Carr
It stands alone in the field, just beyond a pasture gate…a solitary question mark on the landscape. All manner of shoes, boots, sneakers hang from its grey limbs. A crooked signboard, nailed to its lifeless trunk bears the only clue to its purpose: Walk for Hope.

Admit it. We’ve all stopped to look, to peer, to wonder at this strange tree alongside Route 915 where it passes the Shepody marsh. It gains particular ethereal beauty in the low light of morning and early evening and has been photographed countless times by locals and tourists alike. Sometimes bus tours pause so visitors can pour out of the doors and snap memories to take home. And everyone wonders...

What is its story?

Exciting Change at the Albert County Museum!

5/7/2016

Haven't been to the Museum in years? Then it is a perfect time to go explore our local history as effective immediately, the Albert County Museum is now offering scheduled guided tours and special activities.

The schedule is located here. Please note that admission is now valid for two consecutive days to allow visitors the opportunity to experience each of the different tours at their convenience.