Just Around the River Bend
As the original “superhighway” of New Brunswick, the mighty Wolastoq, or Saint John River, has attracted people to Fredericton’s shores for centuries.
The region was originally a fertile, seasonal stopping point for the Indigenous Wolastoqiyik (Maliseet) and Mi’kmaq people who hunted, fished, and grew crops here on the highly arable land fertilized each spring by high water levels.
Then, the early 1700s saw the French Acadians settle in the region, creating the community of Ste. Anne’s Point, where they lived happily until their expulsion by the British military in the mid-18th century as part of the “Grand derangement” that saw Acadians across the Maritimes sent back to France, and down into the United States.
It was the British, and their supporters from the United States known as “Loyalists” for their support of the English crown, who eventually grew the small community, now known as Frederickstown, into the provincial seat of government and established it as the birthplace of the Canadian military.
To find out more about the founding cultures of the area, stop by the Fredericton Region Museum in Officers’ Square. Their various exhibits highlight the original people of the region and have ongoing programming throughout the season. To truly understand the Acadian and Indigenous cultures as they are lived in modern-day Fredericton, visit the annual St. Mary’s First Nation Pow Wow in June, or attend the National Acadian Day “tintamarre” on August 15th. (*Please note: these events have been cancelled for 2020 due to COVID-19).
With the convergence of these vibrant and varied cultures in one location, it is not at all surprising that Fredericton is overflowing with a rich history, just like the banks of the Saint John River in spring. Spend some time visiting many of the city’s key landmarks and heritage sites like Government House, the Historic Garrison District, Boss Gibson’s Marysville, and the nearby attraction Kings Landing. Downloadable tours of the city are also available by visiting the website of Fredericton Heritage Trust
