Step into our Past
City of Saint John: As Canada's oldest incorporated city, Saint John has been welcoming people from eastern Europe, England, and Ireland for centuries. Each group of immigrants has left their indelible imprint on Saint John culture, architecture, and language.
After the American revolution, in 1783, approximately 14,000 American supporters of the British arrived in Saint John. Some of these "Loyalists" established two settlements on either side of the Saint John river, "Parrtown" on the east side and "Carleton" on the west. In 1785, the two settlements were incorporated by Royal Charter into the City of Saint John - Canada`s first city.
Their fortitude and determination to build a city, despite tremendous difficulties. Step into the city’s historic past through tours and events. Find out more here.
Town of Grand Bay-Westfield: French and English colonial explorers documented that the area was inhabited by First Nations. Prior to the creation of the Province of New Brunswick, the area was settled as land grants. The land grants were re-registered with the influx of the United Empire Loyalists in 1794.
Experience Grand Bay-Westfield’s past through these historic places.
The former Town of Grand Bay and the former Village of Westfield, originally part of "cottage country", were amalgamated in 1998.
Town of Rothesay: Once inhabited by Maliseet and Mi'kmaq First Nations, French colonists and English settlers, Rothesay embraces a diverse, culturally rich history. Named in 1860 at the request of the Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII, the area was said to have reminded him of Rothesay, Bute, in Scotland.
Experience the Town of Rothesay’s rich past including its historic homes and railway station through its Living Museum Heritage Corner
On January 1, 1998, the former communities of East Riverside Kingshurst, Fairvale, Renforth, Rothesay and Wells were amalgamated to form the town of Rothesay. The town motto, "Quinque luncta In Uno (Five United In One)", represents the strength and unity of the municipality and the joining together of the five founding communities.
Town of Quispamsis: The original inhabitants were the proud Maliseet First Nation, part of the great Algonquin Federation. The name, "Quispamsis" was translated from the Maliseet language and means, "little lake in the woods", the lake being present-day Ritchie Lake. Acadian, British pre-Loyalists and Loyalists settled in the area around 1783, with many receiving land grants along the Kennebecasis and Hammond Rivers. Gondola Point is the landing point for 2 parallel cable river ferries from rural areas across the Kennebecasis River. Quispamsis is the site of Stoneycroft, the old "Twelve Mile House," which was built around 1800 and is now a provincial historic site (1977).
In 1998 Quispamsis amalgamated with the former Village of Gondola Point and a portion of the area formerly known as Wells.
Village of St. Martins:
In 1783 a group of loyalist soldiers known as the King's Orange Rangers settled there. The village became a major ship-building community in which 500 sailing ships were built and launched to sail around the world. A disastrous fire on May 21, 1900 destroyed over 68 buildings in the village. However, the wealth of the shipbuilder has left a lasting architectural legacy in the grand homes that remain.
St. Martins was incorporated by an Act of the New Brunswick Legislature on November 9, 1967.
Indigenous Culture:
We are proud of our First Nations roots and heritage in the Saint John Region. When Samuel de Champlain and other European explorers began to explore the area in the early 1600s, they were met by the Maliseet ( also called Wolastoqiyik) and Mi'kmaq (sometimes spelled Mi kmaq or Mikmaq) peoples who inhabited the area and lived along its rivers and coasts.
According to Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, there are approximately 16,123 First Nations people in New Brunswick, 9,732 on reserve and 6,391 off reserve.
You can also connect – authentically – to our aboriginal heritage through experiences at Metepenagiag Heritage Park, and Esgenoôpetitj First Nation, where you’ll have the opportunity to sample traditional food, listen to aboriginal stories and folklore or enjoy the festive activities as you follow the Powwow Trail and join in the celebration of First Nations culture.
Other Cultural Influences:
Learn about the strong influence of the Acadien & Celtic cultures in New Brunswick.
For more on the Province of New Brunswick’s influence and important role in Canadian history, go here.
After the American revolution, in 1783, approximately 14,000 American supporters of the British arrived in Saint John. Some of these "Loyalists" established two settlements on either side of the Saint John river, "Parrtown" on the east side and "Carleton" on the west. In 1785, the two settlements were incorporated by Royal Charter into the City of Saint John - Canada`s first city.
Their fortitude and determination to build a city, despite tremendous difficulties. Step into the city’s historic past through tours and events. Find out more here.
Town of Grand Bay-Westfield: French and English colonial explorers documented that the area was inhabited by First Nations. Prior to the creation of the Province of New Brunswick, the area was settled as land grants. The land grants were re-registered with the influx of the United Empire Loyalists in 1794.
Experience Grand Bay-Westfield’s past through these historic places.
The former Town of Grand Bay and the former Village of Westfield, originally part of "cottage country", were amalgamated in 1998.
Town of Rothesay: Once inhabited by Maliseet and Mi'kmaq First Nations, French colonists and English settlers, Rothesay embraces a diverse, culturally rich history. Named in 1860 at the request of the Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII, the area was said to have reminded him of Rothesay, Bute, in Scotland.
Experience the Town of Rothesay’s rich past including its historic homes and railway station through its Living Museum Heritage Corner
On January 1, 1998, the former communities of East Riverside Kingshurst, Fairvale, Renforth, Rothesay and Wells were amalgamated to form the town of Rothesay. The town motto, "Quinque luncta In Uno (Five United In One)", represents the strength and unity of the municipality and the joining together of the five founding communities.
Town of Quispamsis: The original inhabitants were the proud Maliseet First Nation, part of the great Algonquin Federation. The name, "Quispamsis" was translated from the Maliseet language and means, "little lake in the woods", the lake being present-day Ritchie Lake. Acadian, British pre-Loyalists and Loyalists settled in the area around 1783, with many receiving land grants along the Kennebecasis and Hammond Rivers. Gondola Point is the landing point for 2 parallel cable river ferries from rural areas across the Kennebecasis River. Quispamsis is the site of Stoneycroft, the old "Twelve Mile House," which was built around 1800 and is now a provincial historic site (1977).
In 1998 Quispamsis amalgamated with the former Village of Gondola Point and a portion of the area formerly known as Wells.
Village of St. Martins:
In 1783 a group of loyalist soldiers known as the King's Orange Rangers settled there. The village became a major ship-building community in which 500 sailing ships were built and launched to sail around the world. A disastrous fire on May 21, 1900 destroyed over 68 buildings in the village. However, the wealth of the shipbuilder has left a lasting architectural legacy in the grand homes that remain.
St. Martins was incorporated by an Act of the New Brunswick Legislature on November 9, 1967.
Indigenous Culture:
We are proud of our First Nations roots and heritage in the Saint John Region. When Samuel de Champlain and other European explorers began to explore the area in the early 1600s, they were met by the Maliseet ( also called Wolastoqiyik) and Mi'kmaq (sometimes spelled Mi kmaq or Mikmaq) peoples who inhabited the area and lived along its rivers and coasts.
According to Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, there are approximately 16,123 First Nations people in New Brunswick, 9,732 on reserve and 6,391 off reserve.
You can also connect – authentically – to our aboriginal heritage through experiences at Metepenagiag Heritage Park, and Esgenoôpetitj First Nation, where you’ll have the opportunity to sample traditional food, listen to aboriginal stories and folklore or enjoy the festive activities as you follow the Powwow Trail and join in the celebration of First Nations culture.
Other Cultural Influences:
Learn about the strong influence of the Acadien & Celtic cultures in New Brunswick.
For more on the Province of New Brunswick’s influence and important role in Canadian history, go here.