To Louisburg, Nova Scotia.
Paintings of the Harbour of Fort Louisbourg 1744
This was a vibrant 18th century French community from 1713 to 1768.
To enter the Fortress of Louisbourg we had to state our intentions. Phil said he was sent to count the munitions. The guard was very dubious but finally let us enter.
So we can enter.
Soldiers' barracks. Cobblestone floor is very difficult to walk on.
Tunnel
Powder magazine has a wooden floor.
Military Chapel, Governor's Apartments and King's Bastion Barrack in this building. Since the spire was 80 feet tall it was used to guide the ships into the harbor.
Military chapel
Cross of Fort Louisbourg was captured by the New Englanders when they besieged the French in 1745. It was discovered in the 18th century and preserved at Harvard University. Harvard returned it to Parks Canada in 1995. I talked with a docent who traced her roots to the time of the siege. Her relative was an English soldier who fought the French.
Preparing to shot the cannon at noon.
Governor's apartment
Council room
Straw mattresses for the servants were picked up during the day.
Potager used embers to simmer a meal or keep food warm.
Lady making lace
The green paper shows where pins are placed
Then the bobbins of thread are worked in groups of four.
Lace was very time consuming to make and very expensive. It was like jewelry.
This is a simpler lace, box lace.
Seal skin chest.....waterproof.
Ice house. We know the ice is harvested in the winter but it was interesting to learn NO ONE was allowed in the ice house during the summer during daylight.
Playing cards had no numbers because the common people couldn't read.
Interesting chicken.
And rooster.
We were told the officer third in command overspent his budget.....this may be an indication.
Dress of the Mi'Kmaq Aboriginal inhabitants. At this exhibit we talked with an Acadian lady who works for Parks Canada. Being Acadian she is bilingual and of French descent. She shared many new facts about the Acadians. It was interesting to learn that the deported Acadians in 1755 hoped to go to Louisiana because that had been French territory at one time.
Bakery for the soldiers.
The circular loaf in the back was whole wheat and rye flour. A soldier received one 6 pound loaf every four days. The other loaves and biscuits are of varying proportions of wheat and rye flour and were for sale.
Lighthouse at the Louisbourg Harbour. First lighthouse in Canada, it was Latin 1734. A second and third lighthouse were built in 1842 and 1923.
Mesmerizing Atlantic Ocean.
We were told the Atlantic Provinces had been connected to Africa. This is a map showing the land mass formations 400 million years ago.
Formations 135 years ago.
We stayed at Louisbough RV Park on the waterfront. We enjoyed Driftwood Mac at the Louisbough Playhouse. They were four Celtic musicians and singers. The show was over 2 hours and fantastic. We led the fiddler, wow could she fiddle!!! Loved the two step dancers and the dulcimer music was beautiful. We were so glad to experience the Cape Breton music that we have been hearing about.
Location:Louisbourg, Nova Scotia
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