Hon. A. R. McClelan Exhibit Dawne McLean, President ACHS and The Honourable Brenda Murphy, Lt. Governor of New Brunswick ~ Dawne McLean, President ACHS
On May 27, 2023, the Albert County Historical Society was honoured to have the Lt. Governor of New Brunswick, The Honourable Brenda Murphy, unveil a new heritage exhibit in tribute to The Honourable Abner Reid McClelan of Albert County, former Lt. Governor of New Brunswick, 1896-1902.
The McClelan exhibit includes a bilingual interpretive panel and a customized shadow box that displays the formal tuxedo worn by McClelan during his years as Senator and as the Lt. Governor of New Brunswick. The McClelan exhibit project was made possible through the support of the New Brunswick Department of Tourism, Heritage and Culture. The tuxedo had been worn by Mr. James West, well known historian and great nephew of McClelan, at commemorative heritage celebrations, including the reenactment of the 1905 Opening of the Riverside Consolidated School, and at “Anna’s Tea Party” held in 2009 at Victoria Manor, the McClelan’s stately residence built in 1893.
On May 27, 2023, the Albert County Historical Society was honoured to have the Lt. Governor of New Brunswick, The Honourable Brenda Murphy, unveil a new heritage exhibit in tribute to The Honourable Abner Reid McClelan of Albert County, former Lt. Governor of New Brunswick, 1896-1902.
The McClelan exhibit includes a bilingual interpretive panel and a customized shadow box that displays the formal tuxedo worn by McClelan during his years as Senator and as the Lt. Governor of New Brunswick. The McClelan exhibit project was made possible through the support of the New Brunswick Department of Tourism, Heritage and Culture. The tuxedo had been worn by Mr. James West, well known historian and great nephew of McClelan, at commemorative heritage celebrations, including the reenactment of the 1905 Opening of the Riverside Consolidated School, and at “Anna’s Tea Party” held in 2009 at Victoria Manor, the McClelan’s stately residence built in 1893.
Appreciative thanks to Beulah Morrissey of Riverside-Albert, a passionate promoter of community history, for donating McClelan’s heritage tuxedo, now accessioned as a treasured artefact in the Albert County Museum collections. The impressive shadow box and professional mounting of the tuxedo display was the talented conservator work of Michelle Harvey-Larson, Studio on the Marsh. The tuxedo shirt and collar was recreated by Janet Hoar, local talented seamstress. The bow tie, donated by ACHS Director, Sharon McIntyre, had belonged to her father, a long time County resident.
The Honourable Abner Reid McClelan (1831-1917), born in Riverside, Albert County, was a respected political figure, prominent businessman and significant benefactor to the community. Educated at the Wesleyan Academy (now Mount Allison University), McClelan, as a young man, showed a keen interest in business, as well as politics. In 1854, at age 23, he was elected to the NB Legislative Assembly and was MP for Albert County until Confederation in 1867, when he was appointed to the Senate of Canada. After serving as Senator for 29 years, he was appointed as New Brunswick’s 10th Lt. Governor, a position he held from 1896–1902. Retiring from public life, McClelan returned to Victoria Manor in Riverside, where he and wife, Anna, enjoyed an active and social community life. McClelan turned his attention to local affairs, using his influence and personal wealth to bring improvements to his home community. With a deep interest in education, McClelan contributed $5,000 towards the building of the Riverside Consolidated School in 1905. Following his death, the majority of his wealth was bequeathed to educational and benevolent projects, which resulted in the building of the McClelan Memorial Hospital in Riverside.
Enjoy a visit to the Museum and view “The Honourable McClelan Exhibit”, which is now a permanent display!
The Honourable Abner Reid McClelan (1831-1917), born in Riverside, Albert County, was a respected political figure, prominent businessman and significant benefactor to the community. Educated at the Wesleyan Academy (now Mount Allison University), McClelan, as a young man, showed a keen interest in business, as well as politics. In 1854, at age 23, he was elected to the NB Legislative Assembly and was MP for Albert County until Confederation in 1867, when he was appointed to the Senate of Canada. After serving as Senator for 29 years, he was appointed as New Brunswick’s 10th Lt. Governor, a position he held from 1896–1902. Retiring from public life, McClelan returned to Victoria Manor in Riverside, where he and wife, Anna, enjoyed an active and social community life. McClelan turned his attention to local affairs, using his influence and personal wealth to bring improvements to his home community. With a deep interest in education, McClelan contributed $5,000 towards the building of the Riverside Consolidated School in 1905. Following his death, the majority of his wealth was bequeathed to educational and benevolent projects, which resulted in the building of the McClelan Memorial Hospital in Riverside.
Enjoy a visit to the Museum and view “The Honourable McClelan Exhibit”, which is now a permanent display!
Display of McClelan Artefacts and Photos Dawne (Wright) McLean & Shelley (West) Garnhum
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