History hikes are back in May 2022

Robert Walsh Photography

History Hikes 2022 - May 4 to october 29

Meet outside of the main entrance of the Fairbanks Centre (54 Locks Rd.) on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 11am, weather permitting. Approx. 40 min tour.

The Shubenacadie Canal Commission historical guided tours program “History Hikes” will be starting up on May 4, 2022. This program is lead by volunteer, Richard MacMichael.

This unique tour begins at the Fairbanks Centre, in Shubie Park, which surrounds the section of the canal that connects Lake Micmac and Lake Charles. During the walk, you will see Locks 2 and 3 and have a chance to explore historic canal features like the Holding Pond, the Deep Cut, and the remains of stone blackhouses (temporary homes built by the canal workers during construction). The experience cannot help but impress upon you how little of this site has been changed over time.

Visitors are then invited to explore the Fairbanks Centre, where you can examine various artifacts discovered within the park itself, including Mi’kmaq tools and arrowheads, and items left over from the temporary homes of canal workers. A smaller-scale replica of Downtown Dartmouth’s fascinating Marine Railway Flume House is also on display. A main attraction at the Fairbanks Centre is the hands-on, working model of the canal’s lock system. Kids and adults alike will love transporting boats through the locks and up the canal, getting the unique opportunity to play the role of a 21st century lockkeeper.

This is a great chance to learn about history in your own back yard and take in the natural beauty of Shubie Park. Find out for yourself why the Shubenacadie Canal Waterway is “Yours To Explore”.

 Stay tuned to our social media channels for more details.

FAIRBANKS CENTRE INTERPRETIVE TOURS

On Friday, March 18th, volunteer Richard MacMichael will be onsite to deliver interpretive tours at the Fairbanks Centre (54 Locks Rd) from 10am-1pm. Centre will also open for drop-in visits from 10am-2pm.

Hope to see you!

The Fairbanks Centre, located at the entrance of Shubie Park, is the main interpretive centre for the Shubenacadie Canal Waterway.

During the interpretive tour of the Fairbanks Centre , visitors will have a chance to examine various artifacts discovered within the park itself, including Mi’kmaq tools and arrowheads, and items left over from the temporary homes of canal workers.  You will learn about the Fairbanks family, view a smaller-scale replica of Downtown Dartmouth’s fascinating Marine Railway Flume House and see the interpretive map of the system, highlighting historic sites that span 114kms across the province.

A main attraction at the Fairbanks Centre is the hands-on, working model of the canal’s lock system; kids and adults alike will love transporting boats through the locks and up the canal, getting the unique opportunity to play the role of a 21st century lockkeeper.

Tour duration: 20 minutes

2021 Guided Tours Wrap up

Lock 2 - Shubie Park (photo R.Walsh)

 

Dartmouth Marine Railway site - Starr Park

The Shubenacadie Canal Commission historical guided tours program was a hit once again this summer and fall.   Capturing the interest of young and old, volunteer Richard MacMichael lead groups through two unique tours. The first were scheduled historical hikes at Shubie Park which gave folks a glimpse into how the canal operated and the construction of the deep cut.  The second tour was onsite at the Marine Railway in Starr Park, Downtown Dartmouth. Richard welcomed the community to see the inside of the full-scale replica of the Flume House and explained the mechanics that controlled the Marine Railway.

 

Thanks to the support we received from the Canada Summer Jobs program we were able to hire Braden McLaughlin for 8 weeks to help with guided tours. He and Richard led groups on scheduled informative tours at both sites and then spent the rest of his time onsite at the Fairbanks Centre, providing historic interpretation of the canal and other project related assistance.

 

With over 200 people visiting the Flume House site and over 60 people enjoying history hikes at Shubie Park, the 2021 programs were a resounding success! Thank you to all who signed up, we loved hearing all of the positve comments! The weekly scheduled History Hikes and Flume House tours wrapped up on October 30.  However, History Hikes in November may be available upon request, please contact the SCC office. A big thanks to Richard for showing locals and tourists one reason why the Shubenacadie Canal Waterway is Yours To Explore.

oPENING OF THE PORTOBELLO BRIDGE

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Shubenacadie Canal Commission and the Shubenacadie Watershed Environmental Protection Society-Trails officially open the Portobello Bridge and the Trans Canada Trail Extension

On September 17, 2021, at 2:00 pm, the new Portobello Bridge and Trans Canada Trail extension was officially opened to the public. Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Tim Halman, and Shubenacadie Canal Commission Chair, Sylvain Allaire were onsite to cut the ribbon and invite guests to cross the bridge and walk the new trail. The PortoBello Inclined Plane has remained a relatively undeveloped historic site. With the new bridge and the completion of this section of the Trans Canada Trail, this Portobello Incline Plane is now a destination for all and truly yours to explore.

 The bridge would not be possible without the help of our funders.  The SCC thanks the Province of Nova Scotia for their funding through the Regional Trail Expansion program, Councillor Deagle-Gammon and Councillor Mancini for funding from the Capital District Funds and BJH Management for their generous donation. 

 The SCC is also very grateful for their partnership with SWEPS-Trails.  Working together, the two organizations were able to accomplish a major park improvement to a previously underdeveloped site. The Shubenacadie Canal Commission and the Shubenacadie Watershed Environmental Protection Society have a history of working in collaboration.  These types of partnerships are essential for improving community outreach, pursuing a heritage river designation, and enhancing and developing trail networks.

 Quick Facts

  • Completed in 1858, Portobello was the first marine railway to be built as part of a canal in British North America.

  • The Portobello marine railway carried vessels over approximately 600 feet horizontally, while lowering and raising them approximately 33 feet. It replaced two locks that had been partially finished in the 1820s, the remnants of which are still visible today.

  • The Shubenacadie Canal Commission (SCC) was established through an Act of the Legislature in 1986. The objective and purpose of the Commission is to oversee and further promote the Shubenacadie Canal System including the operation of any information or interpretative centres.

Media Contact
Claire Halpern, Executive Director
(902) 462 -1826 or (902) 223-4790
claire@shubenacadiecanal.ca
www.shubenacadiecanal.ca

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