Fort Anne National
Historic Site

This fort has always protected the town of Annapolis Royal. It was the focal point between the French and British as they tried to gain control of Acadia. It served as head of government, as the capital of Acadia and Nova Scotia. Annapolis Royal grew both socially and politically, influenced by the military command at the garrison. Even today many of the town's major events are held all, or in part at Fort Anne.

On this very site numerous battles between France and England were fought as both tried to gain control of Acadie (French name) or Nova Scotia (British name). It is said to be the most fought after piece of land in North America.

In 1629 the Scots attempted to colonize New Scotland, (Nova Scotia). They built a fort known as the Charles Fort in this area. For years it was thought that Charles Fort was located closer to the site of the Port Royal Habitation, but new evidence puts its location on the lands of today's Fort Anne.

In the 1630's the colony reverted back to France and Charles de Menou d'Aulnay built the first of four French forts to be built here. The earthworks you see here now are left over from the last fort built here in 1702. Acadia changed hands several times over the years back and forth between the French and British.

In 1710 the fort fell into British hands again during the War of the Spanish Succession. Then three years later the Treaty of Utrecht confirmed British occupation over Acadia. Port Royal, which had been renamed to Annapolis Royal, became capital of Nova Scotia until it was transferred to Halifax in 1749. There were British regiments with their families that occupied the fort until 1854.

  Signs at Fort Anne National Historic Park

The fort acquired the name of Fort Anne sometime during the first part of the 19th century. Once the last of the British troops were pulled out, the garrison was left empty and the land was used for grazing cattle. By the end of the 19th century the fort was fast becoming ruins. The tearing down of the grandstand sparked local interest to preserve what was left. People of the town appealed to the Canadian Government to preserve what was left of the Garrison. In 1917 Fort Anne became Canada's first National Historic Site.

The first French fort here was built on a rise of land on the southwestern corner of the quadrangle. It probably incorporated parts of the Scot's fort, "Charles Fort". Each fort thereafter increased in size and in power. The early buildings were built by placing logs one on top of the other and then covering them with reeds or straw.

Some of the buildings built over the years include a building erected by the French in 1713. It was a large building used as a barracks and mess room. Built on the north side of the quadrangle it had several gables facing to the south. After the French reign this was one of the buildings that were left to decay. Other buildings included the Government House, the Parish Priest residence, a church, and even a windmill.

The Vauban style earthworks that are still present today were built in 1702. They are a wonderful example of this type of earthworks used mainly in the early 1700's. Mascarene built the stone and masonry supports in the main ditch in 1742.

The powder magazine, pictured here was built by Supercase in 1708. It was built from Caen limestone that had been brought over from France. In 1797 the Duke of Kent, Prince Edward had a large 3-story brick building erected on top of the bombproof magazine Supercase had built. The old magazine formed the foundation and first floor of the new building. When the newer building was torn down in 1833 they found

The Powder Magazine Built In 1708        
Still Stands At Fort Anne National Historic Site

the powder magazine still in fairly good shape and had it restored.

Also in 1797 the officers’ quarters were built under orders from Prince Edward, Duke of Kent. This building was also built on a site where another French structure had been before. The officers’ quarters had 30 rooms each with a fireplace. After Fort Anne was designated a National Historic Site they restored this building in 1935. This same building is used as the museum today.

Built at the same time as the officers’ quarters was a large wooden building used as a barracks. This one had been built on the south side of the quadrangle, but it burned down the first part of 1830.

Only three of the original sixty buildings remain today. The rest were either torn down or were left to fall and decay. Beside the officers' quarters and the powder magazine already mentioned, the third one is referred to as "the Black Hole". The French built it into the west bastion. Although built as a powder magazine, it proved to be too damp. Later the British used it at times as a prison.

               The Black Hole And Canons
          At Fort Anne National Historic Site

There used to be a blockhouse that was located along the road heading out of the park. For years this stood as a firm reminder of the history that passed through the Fort Anne. When the Canadian Government approved this building to be torn down in 1881, the town was really upset. Too late to save this building they fought to save the remainder of Fort Anne.

One of the first regiments to garrison here was the "Fighting 40th". This regiment was formed in Annapolis Royal and reined from 1717 to 1758. That year this regiment formed part of the expedition against Louisburg. Next came the "6th Regiment" under command of Capt. Peacock in 1789. In 1835 the fort was garrisoned by a company of the "83rd Regiment" under the command of Capt. Colquhon and Lieutenant Kensal. The "76th Regiment" under Lieutenant Wedderburn was in command in 1854 when word came to withdraw from the fort.

Monument Honouring Pierre Dugua de Mons
Who Set Out In 1604 to start a colony   

This was to be the end of Annapolis Royal as a garrison town. Some of the more distinguished officers who served at this garrison include William Henry; Lord Kilmarnock; Earl of Erroll who was here between 1844 - 1846. He was wounded at the battle of the Alma in 1854 and died in 1891. Thomas H. Bailey, the son of Rev. Jacob Bailey was barracks master and storekeeper in the early part of the 19th century.

The last person to fill that spot was Joseph Norman, also known as Major Norman. He was a peninsular veteran and a non commissioned officer. It is believed that it was Joseph Norman who planted the trees in front of the fort and cemetery.

Today Fort Anne is still a big part of Annapolis Royal. Many town celebrations such as Canada Day and Natal Day hold several of their events on the fort grounds. In the evenings of these celebrations the hills over looking the river would be crowded with people there to watch the fireworks. The parade square is great for events like the "Sunset Ceremony" put on every Natal Day by the H.M.C.S. Acadia Sea Cadet Camp. In the early 1900's the Annapolis Band held concerts at the bandstand every Friday night. Today the bandstand is no longer there, but there are still some concerts held on the grounds. Many people like to hold their weddings or pictures on the grounds, especially under the Sally Port.

As a kid growing up in the area, Fort Anne was a big part of our life. We used to get together and hold picnics on the grounds in the summer. Many a battle was fought in our imaginations on the hills and by the cannons. I was in trouble a few times for the grass stains on my clothes from rolling down the hills. In winter these same hills made a great place for sledding. As we got older many a first kiss happened on the grounds. And we never learned that when we skipped school the first place they looked was on the grounds of Fort Anne. I bet there is not a person who has lived in this area that doesn't have a memory tied in with Fort Anne.

There is also much here for the tourist. First thing I want to recommend is that while you are here make sure you take in the scenery from the walking trail around the perimeter of the fort. The best time for this is in the evening when the sun is setting down over the Annapolis River. This is nature's scenery at her best. There are several signs and monuments both along the trail and

    Monument Found Along The Walking Path
    Around The Ramparts At Fort Anne Park.

in the parade square that are full of interesting bits of history to read.

You will need some time to go through the museum, there are so many things in there. Besides the rooms set up with museum items there is also a huge research library, which is open to the public by appointments. You will be greeted upon entry by one of the knowledgeable staff members who will give you a brief introduction. These staff members will be more than happy to answer any questions you have.

One of the first rooms you enter will have the 1621 Nova Scotia Charter. This was handed over and given its permanent home in Fort Anne on September 26, 1992. It has been displayed in the museum ever since.

Also displayed in the fort is the original Key of Old Fort Anne which had been surrended by de Subercase to Nicholson in 1710. The key had been taken to Boston where somehow it came into the hands of the Belknap family. They donated it to the Massachusetts Historical Society who kept it in their museum in Boston. In 1922 the vice president of the Massachusetts Historical Society, Mr. Arthur Lord brought the key to Annapolis Royal and presented it to Mr. L.M. Fortier. Mr. Fortier accepted the key on behalf of the Government of Canada and deposited it to Fort Anne where it was to be kept.

There is a room in the museum especially for the Acadian history. In here you will see many of the artifacts found at the Melanson Settlement in Port Royal. You will learn about the dykes they built, and the farms they lived on. It will also have information on the Expulsion of the Acadian People.

They also have many costumes on display depicting the clothes worn during the history of the fort and the town. There is a model of the fort and grounds in 1710 in one room.

There are also many artifacts in the museum that have been dug up on the grounds here during the several archaeological digs. The first archaeological dig on the fort grounds was started the summer of 1989. These digs were under the supervision of Birgitta Wallace-Ferguson, a staff archaeologist for the Atlantic Region, Canada Parks Service. For ten years they had planned for this dig at Fort Anne. There was one dig site in front of the barracks building and others on the other side of the Sally Port. If you were a visitor to Fort Anne during the digs you might have been lucky enough to have a tour of the dig sites.

They found many items such as regimental buttons, clay pipes, Venetian glass, coins, bone beads, and a cannon ball. The biggest find that summer was an inscribed stone, 86 cms x 62cms x 8 cms. On the stone were five lines of French, three of them legible. This stone proved to be a memorial stone for Joseph de Menou who died on the battlefield. He was the oldest son of the 17th century governor

One Of The Many Canons Found At          
The Fort Anne National Historic Site.         

of Acadia, Sieur d'Aulnay de Charnisay. Charnisay drowned in the "Dauphin" river, (Annapolis river) and was buried under the alter on the fort grounds. Joseph, his son, inherited the Noble title created in 1121 for his ancestors who served in the crusades and with Joan of Arc.

They also found during this dig a wall that had been part of the 1797 facade of the British Field Officers Quarters. On another dig they found a primitive iron-smelting furnace that dated back as far as 1636. This was believed to be the first of its kind in Canada. The early French would fill the pit with alternating layers of coal and scrap iron. They would then set it on fire and fuel the fire with huge bellows. The impurities in the iron would separate and sink to the bottom of the furnace leaving a lump of refined iron. This iron would then be re-forged into tools.

In 1998 another set of archaeological digs were done on the Fort Anne grounds. This time they concentrated on the location of the Lt. Governors House on the northwest corner of the parade square. This building had been built in 1703 to accommodate the "Lieutenant L'Roi", the representative of King Louis XIV. Over the years several additions had been added and in 1770 it was

       The Sally Port At Fort Anne Has Been
      A Very Popular Place For Taking Pictures.

comparable in size to the Officers Quarters. They found several cellars in the area, including the original one for this house. They also found the base of the main fireplace, stairs and a bread oven. Several smaller items such as whole wine bottles, hairpins, 18th century ammunition and bits of ceramics were also found. These items were catalogued and processed and then later most were brought back and put on display in Fort Anne.

In 1985 it was suggested to do a heritage tapestry as a Centennial Project for the Parks. Plans were started but it was not until 1988 that they were ready to start putting those plans into motion.

First thing was to come up with a design, something that would cover the 400 years of history here. They put on a National competition, and the winner was Kiyoko Grenier from Shelburne County. Kiyoko studied tons historical data including many pictures. She then came up with a design that would fit on four panels, one for every century of our history. The design covered everything from the building of the Habitation, the Order of Good Cheer, building dykes, expulsion of the Acadians, battles at Fort Anne plus events concerning the town of Annapolis Royal itself.

First Two Panels Of The Fort Anne Tapestry

Next the design had to be painted onto 12 pieces of canvas that would fit together to form the four panels. A needlepoint expert was brought in to match the colours of paint with wool charts and calculate how much would be needed. After the wool arrived volunteers sorted it and divided it up for each panel, labeling it all.

Finally on January 24, 1991, six years after the first suggestion was made, stitching began. Over a hundred volunteers did the cross-stitching that took four years to complete. Everyone got involved, even Queen Elizabeth II stitched a couple of squares on her visit to Halifax. The native scenes were sent to the local Micmac who incorporated birch bark, porcupine quills and moose hair into their work. Fred Longtin, a local shoemaker created tiny little boots, belts and harnesses which were added to the tapestry.

   Last Two Panels Of The Fort Anne Tapestry

Then after four years, 20,000 hours of stitching, and over 3 million stitches the tapestry was finished. The finished size is 5.5 meters (18 feet) long and 2.5 meters (8 feet) wide. The town showed up to have the first glance of the finished product on July 1, 1995 during the Canada Day Celebrations. This wonderful Heritage Tapestry now makes it's home in the Fort Anne for everyone to view.

While you are here make sure you take a stroll around the Garrison Graveyard. This is the oldest graveyard known in Canada, with the earliest tombstone dated 1720. This was first started as the burial site for the French soldiers at the fort. It was also used by the Acadians and later by the British military and St. Lukes Church.

You can take a walk around it yourself looking at the different tombstones. I recommend the best way to get the most out of the information here is to participate in one of the Candlelight Graveyard Tours. These are held three evenings a week during the summer and start at the Fort Anne. You will be lead through the graveyard by a guide, dressed in black and with only the light of the lanterns. Be prepared to learn

The Oldest Garrison Graveyard in Canada    

much about the people who served both at the fort or lived in the town. You will also be shown different tombstones and explained how the artwork and verses have changed over the years. I fully recommend this tour as it is very well done.

Well that was a little look at the Fort Anne National Historic Site in Annapolis Royal. There is so much more to see here than what I have gone over. For more information you may go to their website: Fort Anne National Historic Site. Or better yet, plan to visit this wonderful site during your visit to Annapolis Royal and the Annapolis Valley. I recommend you give yourself lots of time to take in all the information and history that is there.

The fort Anne National Historic Site is open daily from May 15 until October 15. From October until May they are open weekdays by appointment or chance. There is a small admission to visit the museum building.

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