Historic Sites in the Annapolis ValleyPlenty of people come to Annapolis Valley looking for history, mainly because of all the historic sites here. This is Canada's birthplace, where it all started. Many important and interesting first in Canada and North America happened here. There is plenty of history and interesting sites to be found here. National Geographic agrees with this and have created a wide variety of maps over the years with plenty of information about this area. If you are interested in seeing what National Geographic maps are available on this and other areas around the world check out my brother's very informative web site www.geographic-maps-search.com Most historic sites here have been well preserved and kept up by either the government or the many historical societies and volunteers. Many buildings and homes have been designated Municipal and Provincial Heritage Properties. Annapolis Royal has the highest concentration of historic sites, buildings, and landmarks gathered in one area. The whole town has been designated as a National Historic Site. This page will give you a list of the many historic sites and landmarks found throughout the Annapolis Valley. If the title is highlighted then you can click on it to go to another page where you may learn even more about these historic sites.
The Port Royal Habitation is located a little west of Annapolis Royal on the north side of the Annapolis River. Turn off the 101 Hwy at exit 22 and follow Rt. 8 north to the traffic lights in Annapolis Royal. Turn right onto Rt.1 and cross the causeway. Take the first left after the causeway and follow the signs to the Habitation. It is approximately 10 kms. (6.5 miles). Their hours of operation are:
Admission:
Located in the center of Annapolis Royal is Fort Anne National Historic Site. This fort has much heritage value as it was here many battles were fought between the French and British to obtain control of the new colonies. In the late 19th century the garrison had been empty for years and had started to decay. The townspeople, not wanting to loose this bit of history forever, appealed to the government to help save it. In 1917 Fort Anne became Canada's first Niational Historic Site. Their hours of operation are:
Admission:
Realizing the historical value to the Acadians, John Frederic Herbin bought the land in 1907 where the old Acadian church and graveyard had once been located. He erected a cross to mark where the old Acadian graveyard had been and donated the land as a memorial to the Acadian people who once lived there. The area was made famous by the poem about Evangeline and the deportation of the Acadians written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. The grounds of the park are open year round and the interpretive center is open from May 17th to October 19th 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Admission:
In most cases all indication of the Acadian Settlements has been lost except for the miles of dykes they had built. Because of its close proximity to the fort at Port Royal, the Melanson Settlement was shown on several 18th century maps. This was a help to find the site of the settlement in 1984. From the parking lot there is a short loop (193m) that leads to a lookout. From there you are able to observe the uplands, marsh and river where this settlement had once thrived. The admission is free. Hours of operation are:
If you follow the Granville road farther north past the Port Royal Habitation you will come to the fishing village of Victoria Beach built along the hillside of the North Mountain. There will be more about Victoria Beach on another page. I want to mention the monument now for the Pony Express. It is found on the left side of the road a little before you get to the wharf area.
On your way back out Rt 8 to highway 101 stop off and take a look at the Lequille Grist Mill. Heading south, just past the Lequille Country Store take the next right, and then a right again. You will head down a fairly steep hill with a bridge at the bottom. Notice the old building close to the left side of the road? No this is not the Grist Mill, but it did use to be a mill. It used to be the old Dargie Mill and it is a historic site itself. This building is all that is left of the several mills that used to gain their power from this brook. There is a record of eighteen different mills on the Lequille River, which was once called Mill River. Now continue across the bridge, which by the way is called "Three Bridges" as there used to be three bridges crossing here. Just around the turn you will see the Grist Mill. This is the spot where the first mill in North America built by Poutrincourt in 1607 had been. For years the Historical Association wanted to have this spot properly marked as a historic site. Then in 1967 the Nova Scotia Light & Power Company built this replica as a Centennial Project. As there were no drawings or sketches of the original mill, they designed this one as a replica of an 18th century French mill.
I bet you did not expect a whole town being listed as a historic site. In this case I think this town fits the criteria. Anybody who is interested in the history of the Annapolis Valley will want to spend at least a day in Annapolis Royal. You will probably need more than one day to fully take in all the town has to offer. Besides the Fort Anne, there are other museums, the O'Dell House Museum and the Sinclair Inn National Historic Site. Both very interesting and well worth the visit. There is also the Historic Gardens, which represent different eras of Annapolis history through the plants and vegetation.
There are 135 Municipal Heritage Properties in and around the town. Several more have been designated as Provincial Heritage Properties and others National Historic Sites. Annapolis Royal was awarded the Prince of Whales Prize for its commitment to preserving heritage by Heritage Canada. During the summer the Historical Association of Annapolis Royal host several walking tours around town. There is the National Historic District Tour or the Acadian Heritage Tour. Both start from the lighthouse and cover several historic sites in the town. Then if you want a real treat try the Candlelight Graveyard Tour. This is held in the oldest English graveyard in Canada. In 2005 the Nova Scotia Festival & Events Council awarded Annapolis Royal first place as "Hometown Pride Event of the Year". Thanks to the joint initiative of the Annapolis Heritage Society, the Town of Annapolis Royal and Nova Scotia Tourism, Culture & Heritage you can take your own interpretive tour of Lower St. George Street. They have placed 12 very informative panels along this route, each full of interesting history of the town.
A big part of our history is our First Nation's heritage and cultural. A visit to the Bear River First Nation Heritage & Cultural Center will let visit this first hand. Here you will find a heritage gallery, an interpretive exhibit, and the medicine trail. You can enjoy a traditional Mi'kmaw dinner, and maybe partake in singsongs, traditional dance or other events and exhibits of the Mi'kmaw people. The center was the winner of the 2004 Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia (TIANS) Crystal Tourism Award of Excellence for Tourism Innovation. To get there take exit 24 off the 101 highway and drive the very scenic 5 km drive into Bear River. At the stop sign drive across the road, drive by the Fire Hall and then past the power dam. As you drive up the long hill you will see a split in the road where you will take the left road, (Reservation Road). Once on the reservation the Center is the 3rd large building on the right. It has a wigwam-shaped entrance so it is easy to find. The guided tours may not be available every day so it is advisable to call ahead. Admission during the summer to this historic site is $5.00.
Those are the main historic sites in Annapolis Valley but not all of them. I will add more information about these historic sites and other historic sites as I travel the valley and visit them again. This does not cover any of the fantastic museums found all through the Annapolis Valley. Each of these museums cover a different part of our history and culture so make sure you check them out as well. A list and write-up is found by clicking the Museums tag.
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Well we might as well start at the place where it all began back in 1605. The Habitation is a replica of the one Champlain built which was the first settlement north of St. Augustine. 
Farther up the valley is another very interesting historical site, Grand Pre National Historic Site. Take exit 10 off highway 101 heading toward Wolfville. Continue on Rt. 1 following signs to Grand Pre. 
About one kilometre east of the Port Royal Habitation and about 6.5 kms west of Annapolis Royal lies the Melanson Settlement National Historic Site. This was an Acadian community for four generations before the Acadian deportation, (c1664 - 1755). 
The Pony Express is said to be responsible for the start of the Associated Press. At the time, 1849, the telegraph lines were not yet finished to Halifax. Newspapers in New York wanted the news from Britain fast. So they decided to join together and set up a pony express. Men on horse back would carry the news packet the 232 kms, (146 miles) from Halifax to Victoria Beach. They used fresh horses every 19 kms and changed riders in Kentville. As they passed through Annapolis Royal a canon was fired. This was to signal the steamship that waited in Victoria Beach ready to take the news packet on to Saint John, NB. From Saint John it was telegraphed to the New York newspapers. It has been said that this ride could be done in only eight hours. The pony express ran from Feb. to Nov. 1849. it was stopped when the telegraph lines were finished to Halifax. The Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada have affixed a bronze tablet to a boulder here to commemorate the Pony Express. 
Within the town of Annapolis Royal you will see some of the oldest wooden framed buildings in Canada. The oldest wooden house still occupied in Canada, the deGannes / Cosby House is located just past the Historic Gardens on St George Street. The house that stands there now was built in 1708 on the foundation of the previous one that had burnt. 
