New Year’s Greetings featuring this heritage postcard
New Year’s Greeting from Albert County Historical Society President, Dawne McLean
With the beginning of the New Year, it seems appropriate to reflect on the past year of the Albert County Historical Society and the Albert County Museum, which included commemorative celebrations, bus tours, school visitations, special events and accomplishments. Gracious thanks is also extended for the support received from all levels of government, community organizations, volunteers, Society members, Board of Directors, Museum Manager 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 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. A heritage engineer completed a condition assessment of the Court House to provide guidelines in the future repairs necessary to preserve the iconic heritage building.
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 “R.B. 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 a heritage resource for NB schools and to be included in the Museum’s Bennett exhibit.
The return of the annual “Quilt Show & Sale” in July was greatly appreciated and well attended! Thanks to the Quilt Show Committee members for their dedicated work in organizing this important event.
The “Love Your Covered Bridge Day” held on Sunday, July 31, 2pm-4pm at Sawmill Creek Bridge was a successful heritage celebration, with good attendance, lively music and a great time for socializing!
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 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 in the Community Hall and greatly enjoyed.
The “2022 AGM” held on Saturday, October 22, resulted in three new directors being appointed and welcomed to serve on 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, 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 which 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, 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 11th “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 this iconic heritage building.
The two end columns at the Court House were stabilized by Timber Restoration Services and the exterior fluted woodwork restoration around the two end 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 look 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."