Nova Scotia Highland Village Museum, Iona
A living museum that recreates the 200 year hsitory of Scottish settlement
in Cape Breton. The Highland Village depicts the life of Gaelic-speaking
Scots in Nova Scotia. Experience their language, singing, dancing as a
reminder of the simple joys that were treasured and that have preserved the
Gaelic culture. Inside the 43 acre village, ten restored historic buildings
reflect the various periods of the history of the Scottish settlers and
communities. See costumed animators demonstrate weaving, rug hooking,
soap making and blacksmithing. Set high on a hillside, the village also
provides panoramic views of the Bras d'Or Lakes and surrounding countryside.
The Highland Village is home to the Roots Cape Breton Genealogy Centre &
Family History Centre. A number of great events will take place at this
village this summer including Codfish Suppers, Highland Village Day
and the Barraman's Feast 2002 - July 28-August 4th.
Open May 18- October 20.
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Bras d'Or Lakes & Watershed
Interpretative Centre Located
in the Old Post Office on Chebucto street. Six interactive modules present
the ecology of the lakes "through the eyes of an eagle": detailed geomatics,
including satellite imaging,; audio/visual representation of a myriad of
biodiversity issues. Open June- October daily 9:30 am. - 7:30 pm. Admission
adult $2.00, seniors $1.50, child $1.00.
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| Great Hall
of Clans, Gaelic College Scottish
history and culture from early times to the present, including a brief
account of the Great Migration form the Highlands, which gave Cape Breton
its Scottish character. Figures in traditional dress represent the Clans who
first settled the area. Craft shop specializes in Scottish gifts, tartans,
Gaelic text books and reading material. Open June 15- October 15.
Daily 8:30 am. -5:00 pm. Admission $2.50.
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Giant MacAskill Museum, Englishtown
Artifacts belonging to the Angus MacAskill, the Cape Breton Giant who stood
7 ft. 9 in. tall. His chair, clothing, bed, boot and walking sticks and
grist mill grist mill. Also on display are other articles of human interest
dating as far back as the early 1800s. Included within the museum is a small
genealogy centre containing a family tree of the MacAskill family, with
limited information on other residents in the area. Giant MacAskill died in
1813. His grave is in the Englishtown cemetery nearby. Open Mid-June to
mid-September Daily - 9:00 am. - 6:00 pm. Admission -
adults $2.00, Seniors & Youth $15.0, under 12 $1.00.
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| Little River Fisheries & Heritage Museum, Little River
A museum featuring artifacts and photographs of the fishing industry along
the North Shore dating back to the 1800's. Situated at Little River Harbour.
Also on display are other artifacts on the heritage and culture of the area.
Trails and a sandy beach adjacent to the museum. ice cream available at the
museum. Open by appointment only. Check with fishermen down at Little River
Wharf.
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North Highlands
Community Museum, Cape North
The museum opened its doors on July 2, 1979. The museum is a split-log
structure built entirely by local craftsmen in a style reminiscent of
pioneer homes that once existed in this area. It was built to retain,
preserve and protect the rich cultural heritage of Northern Cape Breton.
Many families generously donated and lent papers, artifacts, written and
oral history to build a picture of the past for future generations.
The Northern Cape Breton area has a rich diversity of settlement and
cultural context. It was originally a Mi'kmaq summer hunting ground. The
early Italian explorer John Cabot was credited with sailing into Aspy Bay in
1497. A cairn in his honour is located at Cabot's Landing Provincial Park.
Early settlers in the area were of French, English, Irish, Scottish and
Welsh extraction. Landed immigration arrived from counties as far away as
Syria as well as many Empire Loyalists from the USA. Later marriages in the
area confirm Central and Eastern European cultural presence.
The photograph collection, artifacts and papers illustrate the way of
life experienced by the early settlers. Life was not easy for those settling
in the Northern Highlands of Cape Breton in the early 1800s. Most families
were self-sufficient and lived off the harvest from the sea and land. There
is a display that retells the tragic story of the ship, Auguste. The ship
was shipwrecked off Dingwall in 1761. Stories of many other shipwrecks of
the area are an intriguing part of the heritage of the area.
The museum also houses a small archive which contains articles and books
such as Records of the National Gypsum Co., MacDonald Bros. Day Books, the
Lobster Factory Record Book, school registers, various diaries and church
histories as well as information on old post offices and land grants. The
archive is accessible by request. Extensive Genealogy Records of many
pioneer families are available in paper or computer format.
Information centre. Open June 3 - October 6, 10:00 am. - 6:00 pm.
Admission is free; donations welcome. |
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