by Dawne McLean ~ President of Albert County Historical Society
May 2023 bring you happiness, peace and prosperity!
With the beginning of the New Year, it seems appropriate to reflect on the past year of the Albert County Historical Society (ACHS) and the Albert County Museum, which included commemorative celebrations, bus tours, school
visitations, special events and accomplishments. Gracious thanks are extended for the support received from all levels of government, community organizations, volunteers, Society members and visitors in contributing to a successful 2022!
The year 2022 celebrated the 60th anniversary of the Albert County Museum, which was established by the Albert County Historical Society and officially opened in May 1962. The ?2022 Official Opening on May 21 included a
re-enactment of the ribbon cutting ceremony held in 1962, displaying the same museum artefacts, as well as the Museum's 1962 Guest Book. For the 60th anniversary, a commemorative ornament of the Court House was designed by Aitken's Pewter as a keepsake and to initiate the fundraising campaign for needed conservation repairs to the Court House.
May 2023 bring you happiness, peace and prosperity!
With the beginning of the New Year, it seems appropriate to reflect on the past year of the Albert County Historical Society (ACHS) and the Albert County Museum, which included commemorative celebrations, bus tours, school
visitations, special events and accomplishments. Gracious thanks are extended for the support received from all levels of government, community organizations, volunteers, Society members and visitors in contributing to a successful 2022!
The year 2022 celebrated the 60th anniversary of the Albert County Museum, which was established by the Albert County Historical Society and officially opened in May 1962. The ?2022 Official Opening on May 21 included a
re-enactment of the ribbon cutting ceremony held in 1962, displaying the same museum artefacts, as well as the Museum's 1962 Guest Book. For the 60th anniversary, a commemorative ornament of the Court House was designed by Aitken's Pewter as a keepsake and to initiate the fundraising campaign for needed conservation repairs to the Court House.
To celebrate the 70-year reign of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, a Platinum Jubilee Ceremony was held June 4 on the portico of the Court House. A reception and IODE presentation were held in the Community Hall where Royalty displays and a Mildred Bennett Chapter IODE exhibit were also enjoyed.
The annual RB Bennett Day, celebrated on July 3, included the Official Opening of the refurbished RB Bennett exhibit by RB's nephew, Mr. William Herridge from Toronto. Another highlight was the one day display of PM Bennett's Privy Councillor uniform jacket, a treasured artefact, which was transported by a conservator from the New Brunswick Museum. The heritage video titled Canada's New Brunswick-Born Prime Minister: The Honourable R. B. Bennett was professionally recorded in both English and French to be used as heritage resources for NB schools and to be included in the Museum's Bennett exhibit.
The return of the regular Quilt Show & Sale in July was greatly appreciated and well attended! Thanks to the Quilt Show Committee members for their dedication and work in organizing this important event.
The Love Your Covered Bridge Day, held on Sunday, July 31 at Sawmill Creek Bridge, was a success with a good attendance, lively music and a great time for everyone!
The Children's Festival, held August 12 and 13, was a first time family event. All children received the Living by the Sea Children's Activity Book and enjoyed the fun activities of games, crafts, music and presentations by children's
authors.
Throughout the summer and fall, bus tours regularly enjoyed visiting and touring the Museum.
The book presentation on September 28 by Janet Coulter Sanford, local author of the book Memories on the Bounty, was well attended and greatly enjoyed.
The 2022 AGM welcomed three new directors to the 2022-2023 ACHS Board that now has 13 Directors!
November 5 brought the exciting book launch of A Glimpse of Past Days, a book compiled and authored by Dawne McLean in order to preserve in print and share many heritage photos and historical accounts of Albert County's
rich and interesting past.
The Museum received numerous artefact donations that were greatly appreciated throughout the year. Just prior to Remembrance Day, the Museum was honoured to receive the exceptional donation of the WWI Memorial Cross
that honoured the sacrifice of Private Clifford Oulton who was killed in 1916 at Passchendaele. The Silver Cross, which was discovered buried in the ground by a local man using a metal detector, is an amazing story that was shared on CTV news. The Memorial Cross was generously donated to the Museum to be a treasured artefact displayed in the WWI exhibit.
The November 11 Sunrise Remembrance Ceremony at the Hopewell Cape square had an increased attendance of over 40 people this year. The admission donations received to tour the Museum during the Nov. 11 afternoon were
donated to the Hillsborough Legion Poppy Fund.
In December, the Museum participated during the two weekends of Christmas in the Country.
Completed work and improvements:
A condition assessment of the Court House was completed by a heritage engineer to provide guidelines in the future repairs necessary to preserve the iconic heritage building.
The two end columns at the Court House were stabilized by Timber Restoration Services and the exterior fluted woodwork around the columns was completed.
Improvements for accessibility and safety for seniors at the museum included 1) the installation of the new electronic accessibility door at the Community Hall entrance and 2) the purchase of a club car to transport Museum visitors with mobility issues to and from the museum buildings.
The ACHS acquired ownership of the former Municipal Office building and property from the province! The building will provide secure storage for accessioned artefacts, as well as offices for the Historical Society and the Museum Manager.
Please join in a toast for having a successful 2022 and now looking forward to a prosperous and exciting 2023!
"Here's to a bright New Year and a fond farewell to the old; Here's to the things that are yet to come and to the memories that we hold."
The annual RB Bennett Day, celebrated on July 3, included the Official Opening of the refurbished RB Bennett exhibit by RB's nephew, Mr. William Herridge from Toronto. Another highlight was the one day display of PM Bennett's Privy Councillor uniform jacket, a treasured artefact, which was transported by a conservator from the New Brunswick Museum. The heritage video titled Canada's New Brunswick-Born Prime Minister: The Honourable R. B. Bennett was professionally recorded in both English and French to be used as heritage resources for NB schools and to be included in the Museum's Bennett exhibit.
The return of the regular Quilt Show & Sale in July was greatly appreciated and well attended! Thanks to the Quilt Show Committee members for their dedication and work in organizing this important event.
The Love Your Covered Bridge Day, held on Sunday, July 31 at Sawmill Creek Bridge, was a success with a good attendance, lively music and a great time for everyone!
The Children's Festival, held August 12 and 13, was a first time family event. All children received the Living by the Sea Children's Activity Book and enjoyed the fun activities of games, crafts, music and presentations by children's
authors.
Throughout the summer and fall, bus tours regularly enjoyed visiting and touring the Museum.
The book presentation on September 28 by Janet Coulter Sanford, local author of the book Memories on the Bounty, was well attended and greatly enjoyed.
The 2022 AGM welcomed three new directors to the 2022-2023 ACHS Board that now has 13 Directors!
November 5 brought the exciting book launch of A Glimpse of Past Days, a book compiled and authored by Dawne McLean in order to preserve in print and share many heritage photos and historical accounts of Albert County's
rich and interesting past.
The Museum received numerous artefact donations that were greatly appreciated throughout the year. Just prior to Remembrance Day, the Museum was honoured to receive the exceptional donation of the WWI Memorial Cross
that honoured the sacrifice of Private Clifford Oulton who was killed in 1916 at Passchendaele. The Silver Cross, which was discovered buried in the ground by a local man using a metal detector, is an amazing story that was shared on CTV news. The Memorial Cross was generously donated to the Museum to be a treasured artefact displayed in the WWI exhibit.
The November 11 Sunrise Remembrance Ceremony at the Hopewell Cape square had an increased attendance of over 40 people this year. The admission donations received to tour the Museum during the Nov. 11 afternoon were
donated to the Hillsborough Legion Poppy Fund.
In December, the Museum participated during the two weekends of Christmas in the Country.
Completed work and improvements:
A condition assessment of the Court House was completed by a heritage engineer to provide guidelines in the future repairs necessary to preserve the iconic heritage building.
The two end columns at the Court House were stabilized by Timber Restoration Services and the exterior fluted woodwork around the columns was completed.
Improvements for accessibility and safety for seniors at the museum included 1) the installation of the new electronic accessibility door at the Community Hall entrance and 2) the purchase of a club car to transport Museum visitors with mobility issues to and from the museum buildings.
The ACHS acquired ownership of the former Municipal Office building and property from the province! The building will provide secure storage for accessioned artefacts, as well as offices for the Historical Society and the Museum Manager.
Please join in a toast for having a successful 2022 and now looking forward to a prosperous and exciting 2023!
"Here's to a bright New Year and a fond farewell to the old; Here's to the things that are yet to come and to the memories that we hold."
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