Exploring Fredericton’s rich history
Fredericton, settled by three cultures where local stories of the Maliseet First Nation, the French Acadians and the British weave together to make a vibrant and unique destination. Read more about the city’s history , The river, first known as the Wolastoq and valley have long been inhabited by the Wolastoqiyik (Maliseet). European settlement of the area began with the construction of Fort Nashwaak by the French in 1692. In 1783, the United Empire Loyalists settled Ste. Anne's Point, and in the next year, renamed the settlement Frederick's Town. The name was later shorted to Fredericton in April 1785.
Tip: check in at City Hall- oldest City hall in maritimes still in use. Pick up a copy of the Visitor Guide and maps and get your free parking pass.
Day 1
Kings Landing
Travel up the River Valley Scenic Drive 20 minutes to Kings Landing. And scenic drive it is! The magnificent Wolastoq/Saint John River, named a Canadian Heritage River is ranked as one of the most historic rivers in Canada, with its 10,000 years of Wolastoqiyik or Maliseet history to 400 years of rich stories of French and then English settlement.
Today is about exploring the English or Loyalist history at Kings Landing.
This outdoor museum tells the story of the transition from the Loyalists to the late Victorians in the time period 1780s to 1910 and you get a true feeling of lifestyle at the time Canada was created. 19th century New Brunswick history is brought to life with more than 10 homes, a working sawmill, gristmill, school, churches, forge, store, print shop, carpenter's shop, cooper's shop, and door and sash factory. Visitors can watch the "locals" working and performing everyday activities and join in on daily chores and activities.
Enjoy lunch at the Kings Head Inn, a warm 1855 atmosphere, with costumed service, delicious home cooked meals, and an old fashion pub complete with Simeon Jones River Valley Pale Ale, brewed specially for Kings Landing by local micro-brewery, Picaroons. Kings Landing has special events and reenactments every weekend, so be sure to check out their website when making your plans.
Be sure to stop into the Peddler’s Market, the on-site large gift shop for a one-of-a-kind products only found at Kings Landing or a special gift or souvenirs of Kings Landing or New Brunswick.
In the gift shop you’ll find New Brunswick’s musical heritage preserved in a newly released collection of traditional, New Brunswick folk songs called “Depends Upon the Pay”. Produced this spring by local musician (and heritage character at Kings Landing) Mike Bravener, who travelled the province collecting stories and songs that define New Brunswick, and he reimagined 14 traditional folk songs.
Evening
Keeping with history theme, there are a few restaurants located in historic buildings:
- Brewbakers- the original home of Butternut Bakery
- Gahan House – In the 1900s was the Bank of British North America
- Isaacs Way- Built in 1857-8, the York County Court House is the earliest surviving New Brunswick courthouse constructed of brick and was designated a national historic site in 1980
- Picaroons Roundhouse/540 North- in the old Gibson railway roundhouse, built in 1885 for the Northern & Western Railway was made from half a million bricks produced at Boss Gibson’s brick yard.
Day 2 Driving tour and Downtown Heritage Walk
How about a walking/driving tour to discover the unique character and stunning gems of Fredericton’s architectural heritage ? Explore the more than two centuries of vibrant styles of architecture found within the downtown’s Heritage Preservation Area.
University of New Brunswick Campus
Canada’s oldest English-speaking university is found in Fredericton. The University of New Bunswick, founded by the United Empire Loyalists in 1785 UNB shares with the University of Georgia, the distinction of being the oldest provincial and state university in North America.
On the UNB campus is the first observatory built in Canada - The William Brydone Jack Observatory, built in 1851. It was built by professor Brydone Jack, who was also the president of the University. It is now a museum of the early history of astronomy and surveying in the province, and contains his original telescope. The Observatory was declared a National Historic Site in 1955 William Brydone Jack Observatory, built in 1851 and the oldest existing astronomical observatory in Canada. Constructed of wood, it has an octagonal tower especially designed to house its equatorial telescope. Dr. Jack carried out astronomical observations and determined longitudes, essential for cartography in the province, and his measurements were used in the first map of New Brunswick. A copy of that map, and the equipment Dr. Jack used, including a 7.5-foot achromatic telescope custom-made in Munich in 1849 of mahogany and brass, are housed in the observatory
Next to the Observatory is McCord Hall, once used as the University’s ice house. The 19th-century structure was restored in 1963 and named in honour of David T.W. McCord, distinguished writer, former executive director of the Harvard University Fund Council, and honorary graduate of UNB. By the 1960’s the building became a rendezvous for a group of exceptional writers associated with UNB which the great poet Alden Nowlan labeled "the Icehouse Gang."
The Old Arts Building (Sir Howard Douglas Hall) which depict the Loyalist fathers with their petition to found the university in 1785. Fredericton is home to hundreds of stained-glass windows dating from the mid-19th century through to present day. In his book Glorious Light, Leroux directs our eyes to the way in which the multifaceted ideological and spiritual character of the city is portrayed through the illuminated richness of its stained glass. Walk to Memorial Hall to view the stunning collection of stained glass windows in the Gothic auditorium.
Government House (National Historic Site)
Although the building is not open for their free public tours this season, its worth a walk around the grounds to see the building. Government House site was once the location of the 17th century Acadian settlement known as Sainte-Anne. Located nearby is an early burial ground where both Wolastoquewiyik (Maliseet) and Acadian peoples are buried. The building has had a varied and colourful history since the first cornerstone was laid in 1826 and the official re-opening in 1999. After Confederation, the building became home to the lieutenant governors of New Brunswick. Later in the 1890’s, the house was abandoned for financial reasons, and its furnishings sold at public auction(many of been returned). Since then the building has played a variety of roles, ranging from a School for the Deaf, a military barracks during World War One, a hospital for veterans to headquarters for the RCMP. On the edge of the trail, have a look at the Buttery, a distinctive circular stone building that was a cool place to store food year round. This is the last of the outbuildings remaining.
Boss Gibson’s Marysville
Head across the bridge to the northside of the city for a drive around and see one of Canada's best-preserved examples of a 19th century mill town, designated a National Heritage District. Alexander "Boss" Gibson was a great industrialist and his largest venture was the 1883 construction of a major cotton mill complex in Marysville, the town he had named after his wife, and of which he was in complete control. See the large brick cotton mill (now government offices), and rows of Boss’s brick workers' tenements, elegant managers' homes, stores, and churches.
2:30pm
Guided Walking Tour (free)of historic downtown - The Legislative Assembly Building is the starting point of the tour. Unfortunately the building is not open this season to visitors but be sure to have a look at the exterior of this impressive second-empire Fredericton landmark. For the next hour, your historically-costumed tour guide will tour around downtown Fredericton’s historic sites to see the Historic Garrison District, the Old Public Burial Ground, and former homes of famous Frederictonians. Tours offered daily (except Sundays)
Fredericton Region Museum, Historic Garrison District
Set behind a wrought iron and stone fence, Fredericton’s Historic Garrison District recalls the drama and glory of our military past as a garrison town. This area was originally established as a British Military Garrison in 1784 and the Museum served as the quarters for the British Officers stationed in Fredericton after the American Revolution. In 1883, Fredericton was honoured to be chosen for the establishment of the first permanent and oldest Canadian military unit, the Royal Canadian Regiment. This history is celebrated every summer with the Guard ceremony re-enactment, (although this summer it is reduced to Sentry Duty at City Hal)l in place of the full ceremony.
Today the building is a place to discover our history and diverse heritage of Indigenous Peoples, Loyalists, Acadian , and other European settlers. The museum is open for individual bookings for your family/ friend bubble (up to 12 people) to the Acadian, Wabanaki Way, Victorian Drawing Room, WWI Trench Replica, Confederation, and the Carleton & York exhibits and of course, the famous Coleman Frog.
Christ Church Cathedral, National Historic Site (not open for public tours this summer)
One of the earliest and best examples of the 19th century revival of Gothic architecture in North America is Christ Church Cathedral. The building is the result of John Medley, the first Bishop of the Diocese. Medley, who arrived in Fredericton from England in 1845. He was devoted to the Medieval Gothic style, and brought with him the English architect Frank Wills, who modelled the new cathedral after the 14th Century St. Mary's Church at Snettisham in Norfolk. Medley's burial site is outside the Cathedral under the east window. He passed away in 1892. The external doors of the Cathedral are made of New Brunswick grey oak and the West door is a reduced copy of that of Exeter Cathedral. You’ll also notice the gorgeous stained glass art that add depth and character to this inspiring structure.
Where to Stay:
*Crowne Plaza Lord Beaverbrook Fredericton - The Beaverbrook has been an historic landmark in Fredericton since constructed in 1946. It's Grand Opening was “the social event” in New Brunswick, with dignitaries from all levels of governments in attendance, as well as Lord Beaverbrook (Sir Max Aitken) himself.
*Brennan’s B&B - magnificent Queen Anne Revival home built in 1885 by the Chestnut family, founders of the famous Chestnut canoe.
*Quartermain House B&B - an historic 1830’s Gothic Revival period home.
*Carriage House - Victorian Queen Anne style mansion built in 1875, by lumber baron and mayor Harry Beckwith
*By the River B&B -built in 1903 and the home of a Scottish-born industrialist who operated a prosperous lumber mill on the St John River.
