A Visit to Melanson SettlementMelanson Settlement National Historic Site is located along the north shore of the Annapolis River, just east of the Hollow Mountain Road and about 6.5 km from Annapolis Royal. From Annapolis Royal head across the causeway and then take the first left on the Granville Road towards the Port Royal Habitation. At one time, before the Acadian Deportation of 1755, this was an Acadian agricultural community. The community was started approximately in 1664 by Charles Melanson dit La Ramee and his wife Marie Dugas. They had 14 children of which 8 either stayed or came back to settle here also. Besides the Melansons there was one more family, Jean Roy & his wife Marie Aubois. He is thought to be a fisherman from France who had lived in several other areas before settling down here. Because of it's location along the Dauphin (Annapolis) River, close to the Habitation and Port Royal (Annapolis Royal) the settlement was shown on several eighteeth century maps. This fact made it easier to rediscover it's location and it was in 1984.
After the deportation of the Acadians the land became part of the Granville Township in 1759 which was settled by the New England Planters. The Planters and others who settled here also farmed the land, but built their homes closer to the road. This left the old Acadian foundations for the most part undisturbed and easier to find. This is a perfect site to study pre-deportation Acadian Settlements. Sign at Melanson Settlement The Melanson Settlement was excavated by archaeologists between 1984 and 1986. They concentrated on one site that revealed four structures that were built before 1755. They also tested two other cellar remains and recorded all the surface features on the upland area. There were many interesting pre 1755 artifacts found during these digs which have been studied and analyzed. A lot of these are now on display at Fort Anne National Historic Site or Grand Pre National Historic Site. When you arrive at the site turn off the road and follow the short driveway down to the parking lot. Here you will see a plaque commemorating the site erected by the Historic Sites & Monuments Board of Canada, along with another sign welcoming you here. There are also public washrooms here.
The trail takes you out to a look off Trail at the Melanson Settlement where you may look over the uplands, marsh and the river. The uplands were where the Melansons built their homes. They would have their farm buildings there along with their orchards and gardens. By the time of the Deportation there had been four generations of Melansons living there. In 1710 there were 6 households recorded there and the settlement never grew any bigger than 10 to 12 households. This is where the archaeological digs had been done. Charles, with the help of his neighbor built the first dyke in the 1660's. This was a co-operative community where family and neighbors all worked together. By 1708 the second dyke had been built and by 1725 they had reclaimed all the marshland up to the river on both sides of the settlement. Many portions of this dyke still remain today.
Approaching the Melanson Settlement Look Off Life started out good for this little community here. But then restlessness was building at Port Royal again, war had broke out again between the British and French. The Acadians were again pressed to take an oath of allegiance to the British crown, but again they refused. They wanted to stay neutral, but the British did not trust their French heritage. So in December of 1755 approximately 1666 Acadians, including the Melansons, were deported from Annapolis area. They were loaded on boats headed for Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York and North and South Carolinas. Some of the Melansons from this settlement were loaded on the vessel Pembroke headed to North Carolina. But the Acadians were able to overpower the vessel and instead headed up the St. John River. They eventually made their way to Quebec. If you visit either the Habitation or Fort Anne chances are that you will meet one of the descendants of these Melansons. Alan and Wayne Melanson both work for Parks Canada plus Alan and his wife organize and run several guided tours in Annapolis Royal. Thank goodness their ancestor had been on that ship and eventually made his way back to Nova Scotia.
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The trail goes in a loop and is only 193 m long, but give yourself about twenty minutes to go around. This will give you time to read the many interpretative panels along the way and enjoy the beautiful scenery here. Both the trail and the washrooms are wheelchair accessible. 
Before you turn back stop and sit for awhile and take in the beautiful view here. You have a great view of the Annapolis River and Goat Island from here, along with the massive marshland. Just relax and daydream a little, picturing the busy little Acadian settlement with the women working the garden and the men down working on the dykes. 
