Fort Beauséjour – Fort Cumberland National Historic Site

Beaubassin and Fort Lawrence Public Archaeology Experience

Participants, Public Archaeology Experience, Beaubassin and Fort Lawrence National Historic Sites.
© Parks Canada

Fort Lawrence Road, Nova Scotia, Wednesday July 6th, 2011 - The Beaubassin and Fort Lawrence Public Archaeology Experience is back at the Beaubassin and Fort Lawrence National Historic Sites of Canada for 2011. The goal of the program is to do an inventory of the archaeological resources of the sites, while providing memorable experiences to visitors and participants. Parks Canada is proud to collaborate with the Cumberland Regional Economic Development Association (CREDA) to provide exceptional visitor experiences and increase the tourism offer of the Cumberland and Chignecto areas.

The archaeological team, under the supervision of Parks Canada archaeologist Charles Burke, is eagerly waiting for the dig to start in July. The Public Archaeology Experience will take place on four weekends, from July 14 to August 7, 2011. Visitors wishing to participate should sign up as soon as possible by contacting Fort Beauséjour -Fort Cumberland National Historic Site of Canada staff at the following number: 506-364-5080. Registrations are limited to 12 participants per day, and the cost of registration is $36.70 per person.

The Beaubassin and Fort Lawrence Public Archaeology Experience will start with an information session on the history of the region and archaeological techniques at the Fort Beauséjour - Fort Cumberland National Historic Site. Afterwards, participants will move on to the dig site, where they will be shown the archaeological techniques they will be using. Participants will also be helping with sorting and cleaning the artefacts that are found. The archaeologists will therefore be able to assess how the work is going right on site, as well as provide for better conservation of the artefacts. Demonstrations of artefact cleaning will also be given at Fort Beauséjour – Fort Cumberland National Historic Site, where a temporary cleaning laboratory is to be installed in one of the site’s picnic pavilions.

The Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada recognized the importance of Fort Lawrence (1750-1756) in 1923, while Beaubassin (1672-1750) was declared a national historic site in 2005. The architectural ruins and features of the village attest to the Acadian way of life and the geopolitical struggle between France and England for the control of Canada.

Click here for more info on the Public Archaeology Experience.