African heritage trailblazers celebrated

The 10-panel exhibit - "Trailblazers 2012 - United We Stand" by Darlene Strong is symbolic of more than 400 years of vibrant African Nova Scotian history, and will be on display at the Cumberland County Museum and Archives for the month of February.

The exhibit expresses collaborations influencing the accomplishments that have helped African Canadians rise above obstacles such as slavery and systemic racism and become specialists in their fields. In commemoration of Her Majesty the Queen's 60th Anniversary, the exhibit reflects on the first African Nova Scotian and second woman to hold the post of Lieutenant Governor as the Queen's representative in Nova Scotia, Honourable Mayann Francis.

The Town of Amherst came on board as a sponsor because it was an opportunity to bring together not only some great artwork and important part of local heritage, but also a way to support local organizations like the museum and artists like Strong, according to Andrew MacGregor, the town of Amherst, NS arts, culture and heritage co-ordinator.

The exhibit will be displayed at the museum during regular business hours throughout the month of February.

Age of Sail Museum Announcement

Congratulations from Cumberland County Heritage Network Society on your funding!!!

The Age of Sail Museum is happy to announce they have received $15,000 from Communities, Culture and Heritage SDI grant program for interpretive design. These funds will go towards an interpretive design plan for the New wind and wave building which funding was announced for in November from ACOA and N.S. Tourism. The maritime company of Camus Productions has been chosen to do the design plan. The plan will be done in such a way as to make implementation possible over a period of time due to funding restraints. Funds from ACOA and NS Tourism towards interpretive were included in the November funding announcement. Local companies will be offered the chance to make quotes for the new signage and volunteer help will be used where possible in erecting the signs. The interpretive plan will include signage for the new building, kiosk and to refresh and renew signage in the main building to assist the flow from one section to the other. The board of the Age of Sail is very excited to see the progress being made on the new addition and am very grateful for the financial help from the various government entities. Thanks also go out to Paul Collins of CMAP and Bernie Murphy of CRDA for their invaluable assistance. The grand opening will be in the spring and we look forward to seeing everyone then.

The Creamery Square get funding for final Phase!

Congratulations have to go out to The Creamery Square in Tatamagouche, NS for obtaining $820,022 from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) for the 6,200 square-foot facility. This marks the last Phase of a Phase Three Plan to upgrade the Centre.

THE CENTRE OF THE ARTS WHEN COMPLETE
- 6,200 square-feet
- To be used for various events such as concerts, performance art, visual art exhibits, conventions, receptions, lectures.
- Auditorium seated capacity of 160 on three removable tiers.
- Foyer (former ice house) can be used as a smaller venue, seating about 30.
- Ground breaking expected this spring; opening expected next summer.

CCHN wishes you all success on this adventure.

Cumberland County Museum & Archives

A Talk by Howard Spence will take place at the Cumberland County Museum & Archives on Jan 12, 2012 - 7 pm. For more information call (902) 667-2561 or email: ccma@cumberlandcountymuseum.com

New Email Address

The Cumberland County Museum & Archives has a new email address as of Jan 1, 2012
You can reach them at: ccma@cumberlandcountymuseum.com

Cumberland County Museum "Tea Social"

Come for the tea, enjoy the company and our community tea cup exhibit! Join us at Cumberland County Museum & Archives for a "Tea Social" on Saturday January 7th, 4 pm to 6 pm.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Seasons Greetings

Cumberland County Heritage Network Society wishes everyone a Merry Christmas and all the best for 2012.

Cumberland County Genealogy Society

January 17th 7:00 pm CCGS meeting to be held at the Trinity-St. Stephen's United Church,1 Ratchford St. Amherst, with guest speaker Lawrence Nicoll, President of CCGS Topic: Working with Internet resources such as: Ancestry.ca, FamilySearch.org, Canada census on Ancestry, Cdn Archives, automated genealogy and the different results. Search techniques to surmount indexing problems. Quick review of NB and NS vital stats on line. Everyone welcome to attend.

Cumberland County Museum & Archives Teacup and Stories Display

Cumberland County Museum & Archives presents our community's teacup and stories display which will be open to the public from November 27th until January 7th. A must see is the teacup tree!

Parrsboro Band Hall

Congratulations to Parrsboro Band Hall on their new lighting. It is hoped to have the new system in place for the band's annual Christmas concert on Dec. 19.

Age of Sail Expansion

Scott Armstrong, Member of Parliament for Cumberland- Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley, on behalf of the Honourable Bernard Valcourt, Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and La Francophonie, was on hand Sunday November 20, 2011 to make an announcement in regards to the Government of Canada’s investment in the community of Port Greville. The Age of Sail will receive the Phase ll funding for the restoration and expansion of the Age of Sail Heritage Centre. Congratulations Age of Sail!!!

Howard Spence

The speaker meeting with Howard Spence has been postponed tonight until January 12 because of road and weather conditions. Thank you. Shirley Nickerson, Curator of the Cumberland County Museum & Archives.

Our survey results are in!

Survey Results from our Mystery Bus Tour
One hundred percent of the people that attended on Oct 15, 2011 enjoyed the Mystery Bus Tour! We did have some difficulty with the PA system on the bus being out of commission and our wireless system did pick up some static along the way. Our tour guide was able to speak loud enough that everyone could hear. We offered facts about Cumberland County and the different areas and had trivia questions with prizes for the winners. Our lunch meal was very leisurely and consisted of two slices of roast beef, two scoops of mashed potatoes, gravy, corn, peas, homemade carrots, coleslaw, roll with butter, homemade mustard pickles, coffee, tea, and water, your choice of dessert - either Lemon Meringue Pie, Coconut Cream Pie, Cherry cheesecake, or pineapple squares. It was enjoyed by all! Cumberland County Heritage Network Society gives a thumbs up to BayView Restaurant in Joggins, owned and operated by Margie Melanson, and Brenda - the cook, for their absolutely fantastic meal and excellent service with smiles!
Here are the comments from our day tourists:
The mystery stops certainly made it interesting
Wonderful day- great weather
It was very interesting and fun
Excellent
Very informative
Great to have lots of time at the stops
Good time of year not too hot
If a large crowd- need better intercom system
Excellent trip
Great not to have to wear seatbelts
All found the tour educational
Very informative - learned lots
Enjoyed the local facts
Found out things about Cumberland County I never knew
I'm inspired to brush up on Atlantic history
Trivia questions were posers
One hundred percent would be willing to attend another of our tours to different areas/ events/ or attractions and all would recommend a CCHN tour to another person(s).
It seems that the best way to reach our customers is through the newspapers, posters, radio and recommendations.
What type of tour would you be interested in:
1-Genealogy 3- Fossils 3-Music 4- Ships 5- Heritage 3- Acadian 3- Culture 5- Arts 6-History other: All, scenic
What did you like best about your tour today: Very well organized- I did enjoy Age of Sail & Parrsboro, meeting new folks with common interests and all the stops, all of it, all, everything was perfect, bus ride-learning time-scenery, the adventure of going on a mystery tour, food-travel-scenic sites, well organized-did not have to drive- enjoyed it all-thanks, the cherry cheesecake, a very congenial tour guide.

Watch for our upcoming tours in 2012 so you can take part. You never know where you might end up!

Calling all Teacups!

Teacup Exhibit – Does your teacup tell a story? Having tea with relatives & friends has always been a social way for people to catch-up with events & share important parts of their lives. Do you have a teacup with a special story on its purchase? Who gave it to you? Why mother left it to you when your sister Doris had her eye on it? (But you really were your mothers’ favourite & now you can tell all!) Starting November 19th you can drop off your teacup & share your story at the Cumberland County Museum & Archives. The teacup display will be open to the public from November 27th until January 7th

Toy Bingo

River Hebert Heritage Models Centre/Museum is hosting their toy bingo on November 14th, 7 p.m. at the River Hebert Legion. Now is your time to join in and get some toys for the season!

Pictures of the Tour

Here are the pictures that I promised. It was a dark and stormy night but the very brave (and cold) ventured out to what turned out to be an incredible night.


All nice, clean and raring to go.



Deep in the mine

It was a little on the scarey side but nobody screamed and ran out, even when the lights were turned off. Pitch black darkness and no one said a word for a minute. I can only imagine what was going on in their minds.

Until the next adventure...

A Dark Night Adventure

A Dark Night Adventure that took place on Oct 30th, 2011 was amazing!!! CCHN wishes to thank Roberta McMasters and the Springhill Miners Museum for hosting our adventure and Psychic Darlene who shocked everyone in attendance with her amazing abilities. Pictures to follow...

The Fundy Geological Museum

The Fundy Geological Museum will be holding their annual "O' Christmas Tree Closing " An evening of festive treats and sing along here at the Museum on Thursday, December 1, at 7 pm. All welcome!

New Associate Member of CCHN

Join us as we welcome our new associate member -

That Dutchman's Farm, 112 Brown Road, Upper Economy Nova Scotia

Phone: 902.647.2751

Email: cheese@thatdutchmansfarm.com

URL: http://www.denhoek.ca/

That Dutchman's Farm, producers of fine farmstead cheeses, is owned and operated by Maja and Willem van den Hoek. The cheese Willem produces is a "Farmstead Gouda." It is a true heritage cheese that has its roots in the Netherlands, reaching down into the early middle ages.

Over the years they have laid out an extensive network of walking trials and waterways connecting gardens and ponds. Hidden amongst this lives an interesting collection of animals and plants tucked away in special settings. It is a work in progress and well worth the visit to explore. Something for the very young (animals to visit) and the very old (park benches everywhere!) You can wander the farm yard and barns, explore the nature trails, meander through the flowers, herb and water gardens, meet the heritage and exotic animals and stop for lunch between Father's Day and Labour Day at their cafe which provides a spectacular view of the Cobequid Shores of the Bay of Fundy. It's the perfect setting to enjoy nature and take some time out. Admission charged.

Age of Sail Museum

The Age of Sail Museum will be hosting a Fall Roast Chicken Supper on November 5th. Call (902) 254-2079 Oralee 902) 348-2060 Ohra or email: gbsmsageofsail@yahoo.com for details.