We celebrated Albert County’s 175th Anniversary in 2020 and we want you thank you for joining us! The Albert County Historical Society, with support of the Government of Canada, the Province of New Brunswick, The Hopewell Rocks, and local community groups, was pleased to present the 175th Anniversary of Albert County. The Albert County Museum was open for the 2020 season from June 6th to September 30th, where buildings original to 1845 were open to safely explore for visitors to “Discover the People of the Tides”. Thank you to those who visited in 2020!
In 1845 Albert County was established from parts of Westmorland and Saint John Counties, by a proclamation signed by Queen Victoria - when she was only 26 years old! Albert County, named after her husband Prince Albert, is now home to 0ver 30,000 people, includes the Town of Riverview and hugs the shores of the Petitcodiac River to the Bay of Fundy and includes some of the most iconic treasures in New Brunswick - the beautiful Fundy National Park, the Hopewell Rocks, Cape Enrage and inland areas stretching beyond Caledonia Mountain in all directions. Villages include Hillsborough, Riverside-Albert, Alma and Elgin.
“The Albert County 175 celebration in 2020 was an exciting opportunity for our Historical Society to promote an awareness and pride of the rich heritage and history of Albert County”, says Board President, Dawne McLean. “Every community in Albert County has inherited valuable knowledge and priceless stories that need to be shared and preserved for future generations. We joined together in the celebration of Albert County's 175th Anniversary, to strengthen our sense of community and appreciation of our past!”
Along with a special AC175 Souvenir Booklet, digital means of storytelling was used including “Photo-A-Day”, an AC175 Podcast, “Home Schooling” history lessons and social media platforms and videos. Highlights included the Rededication of the WWI Cannons in the Hopewell Cape Square on June 13th, the 150th Birthday of New Brunswick born Prime Minister RB Bennett on July 1st, an Art Show in the Court House July 25 to August 2nd, recognition of Albert County’s 175 Birthday on August 8th and a second celebration September 12th. The event wrapped up in December with a photo contest and a Prize Draw for Albert County stay-and-play packages.
A unique AC175 Mobile Exhibit was created so that we can tell the amazing stories of the Land, Sea and People of Albert County, who helped Canada become a nation, created CBC radio, helped win WWI, formed one of the nation’s beloved National Parks and live near the world’s highest tides. Spanning 175 years, from 1845 to 2020, the interactive display is on location at the Albert County Museum, and we are thankful to NB Tourism, Heritage and Culture for their support of this project.
This event was presented by the Albert County Historical Society and is supported by the Governments of Canada and New Brunswick, The Hopewell Rocks, Albert County Tourism Association, Chamber of Commerce, Friends of Fundy, Bayview Chalets & Motel, Connecting Albert County, Ponderosa Pines Campground, Town of Riverview, Villages of Hillsborough, Alma and Riverside-Albert, and Broadleaf Guest Ranch. Learn more at AC175.ca or by calling 506-734-2003 or email ac175@albertcountymuseum.com.