By Dawne McLean
The “Love Your Covered Bridge Day” event hosted by the Albert County Historical Society on Sunday, August 1st, was a well-attended celebration and show of appreciation for the 113-year-old Sawmill Creek Bridge in Hopewell Hill. This followed the NB Department of Transportation and Infrastructure’s major preservation project of replacing the roof on the covered bridge.
The “Love Your Covered Bridge Day” event hosted by the Albert County Historical Society on Sunday, August 1st, was a well-attended celebration and show of appreciation for the 113-year-old Sawmill Creek Bridge in Hopewell Hill. This followed the NB Department of Transportation and Infrastructure’s major preservation project of replacing the roof on the covered bridge.
The terrific support received from the community and local organizations, as well as from the Association Heritage NB and the Covered Bridge Conservation Association of NB, was greatly appreciated. Fundy Royal MP, Hon. Rob Moore was pleased to attend and offer a few words, as did the invited representatives of organizations and municipalities. Albert MLA, Hon. Mike Holland received a hearty thanks for providing a new bridge sign, which will be installed by the roadside entrance. The Riverside-Albert and Alma Volunteer Fire Departments generously brought their mobile canteen to the event to provide greatly appreciated refreshments. Also, S&C’s ice cream was available from their stand located on site.
Sitting “inside” the covered bridge provided a unique experience for everyone to appreciate the impressive timber structure while they enjoyed the lively music of fiddle and guitar played by the talented young musicians, Sara and James Nelson.
Dawne McLean shared the construction timeline of the bridge contractor, Albert E. Smye, by reading newspaper articles published in the Albert Journal in 1907-1908. A highlight of the afternoon was an engaging talk about covered bridges by well known engineer Dr. Dan Tingley, who was born and raised in Albert County. All eyes were focused on the interior bridge timbers while Dr. Tingley explained the structure of covered bridges and how the truss system works. From years of wood research and engineering skills, he has developed techniques for building and restoring wooden bridges all over the world. Dr. Tingley was pleased to speak at the bridge event “back home,” sharing his passion for wooden structures, as well as some entertaining stories of riding his motorcycle through the Sawmill Creek Bridge!
“Love Your Covered Bridge Day” provided a perfect opportunity for the community to come together and celebrate the rich heritage of the place that we are blessed to call home. To describe the day at the bridge, I believe the century-old phrase says it best, “A good time was had by all”!
Dawne McLean is the president of the Albert County Historical Society.
Dawne McLean shared the construction timeline of the bridge contractor, Albert E. Smye, by reading newspaper articles published in the Albert Journal in 1907-1908. A highlight of the afternoon was an engaging talk about covered bridges by well known engineer Dr. Dan Tingley, who was born and raised in Albert County. All eyes were focused on the interior bridge timbers while Dr. Tingley explained the structure of covered bridges and how the truss system works. From years of wood research and engineering skills, he has developed techniques for building and restoring wooden bridges all over the world. Dr. Tingley was pleased to speak at the bridge event “back home,” sharing his passion for wooden structures, as well as some entertaining stories of riding his motorcycle through the Sawmill Creek Bridge!
“Love Your Covered Bridge Day” provided a perfect opportunity for the community to come together and celebrate the rich heritage of the place that we are blessed to call home. To describe the day at the bridge, I believe the century-old phrase says it best, “A good time was had by all”!
Dawne McLean is the president of the Albert County Historical Society.
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