by Janet Clouston
The RB Bennett Commemorative Centre was officially opened in 2010 at the Albert County Museum to highlight Bennett’s professional life and to share his boyhood years growing up in Hopewell Cape. The impressive granite monument was erected “in the square” by the Government of Canada to honour the Right Honourable Richard Bedford Bennett, Canada’s 11th Prime Minister. RB Bennett’s image is portrayed in the centre of the granite monument as he views the tidal waters of the Petitcodiac River flowing into Shepody Bay. The RB Bennett Exhibit is now being renovated!
The RB Bennett Commemorative Centre was officially opened in 2010 at the Albert County Museum to highlight Bennett’s professional life and to share his boyhood years growing up in Hopewell Cape. The impressive granite monument was erected “in the square” by the Government of Canada to honour the Right Honourable Richard Bedford Bennett, Canada’s 11th Prime Minister. RB Bennett’s image is portrayed in the centre of the granite monument as he views the tidal waters of the Petitcodiac River flowing into Shepody Bay. The RB Bennett Exhibit is now being renovated!
Near the Bennett monument is the County Records Office, built in 1845 as one of the Municipal buildings for the newly established Albert County Shiretown. With the renovations in the Records Office, the current RB Bennett Exhibits will be consolidated to include additional artefacts and interpretive panels. In the stone vault, there is an existing hologram of Bennett’s beloved and supportive sister, Mildred Bennett Herridge, as she introduces her brother “Dick”. This pictorial story will be expanded. Another dimension is provided with the history of the formation of the only IODE (Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire) chapter to exist in Albert County, which bears her name, the Mildred Bennett Chapter IODE.
Despite being Prime Minister during the hardest years of the Depression, Bennett passed legislation and created social programs that still benefit Canadians today, such as Employment Insurance, Minimum Wage, Pension program, and Workers Compensation. He signed the Statute of Westminster making Canada’s Parliament independent of Britain, and established the Bank of Canada and the Canadian Broadcasting Act (CBC and Radio-Canada). Throughout his life he donated much of his personal wealth to universities, schools, charities and to individuals in need, valued at $80 million in today’s currency.
Despite being Prime Minister during the hardest years of the Depression, Bennett passed legislation and created social programs that still benefit Canadians today, such as Employment Insurance, Minimum Wage, Pension program, and Workers Compensation. He signed the Statute of Westminster making Canada’s Parliament independent of Britain, and established the Bank of Canada and the Canadian Broadcasting Act (CBC and Radio-Canada). Throughout his life he donated much of his personal wealth to universities, schools, charities and to individuals in need, valued at $80 million in today’s currency.
Join us on Saturday, July 2, 1:00pm, at the opening of the renovated RB Bennett Exhibit. Presentations and refreshments in the Community Hall will follow the Exhibit’s reopening. The RB Bennett Exhibit Refurbishment Project is supported by New Brunswick’s Department of Tourism, Heritage and Culture. The Albert County Museum is located at 3940 Route 114 in Hopewell Cape. Hours are 9:30 to 5:30 daily and we look forward to welcoming you to the 1845 historic site as you tour the six-acre “Shiretown” and visit eight original buildings featuring 24 exhibits. “Discover the People of the Tides”.
You can learn more by visiting www.albertcountymuseum.com or calling us at 506-734-2003.
You can learn more by visiting www.albertcountymuseum.com or calling us at 506-734-2003.
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