Preserving the past
North Sydney Historical Society a busy organization
The goal of the North Sydney Historical Society is to preserve the heritage and culture of North Sydney and the Northside area.
And to this effect, it has pointed out major happenings on the Northside since it was founded in 1980.
Recently, the 75th anniversary of the sinking of the Caribou on October 14, 1942, was remembered in two ways on Friday, October 13, at the North Sydney Heritage Museum. First of all an open house was attended by over 100 people. Moderator Ronald MacDonald reminded the audience, in detail, of that horrific event overnight in the darkness, October 13-14, when the German submarine, U-boat 69, hit the Caribou with a torpedo.
The public was informed by Jeremy Fraser’s story in the Northside section of the Cape Breton Post on October 11.
Secondly, awards were passed out on that occasion for the top three essays on the sinking of the Caribou, by Grade 5 students of Ferrisview Elementary School and Seton Elementary School. The top three essays at Ferrisview were written by Fallon Lawrence, Trevor Thomas and Sophia Capstick, while the top three at Seton were from Max Newhook, Emily Predo and Michael Prosser.
The North Sydney Historical Society (NSHS) has a full board that includes president Joe Meaney, vice-president Marilyn Ritza, treasurer Harry Taylor, secretary Alaine Taylor, and three other board members, Ronald MacDonald, Wes Stewart, and Andie Currie.
“This year was a very successful year in that we had over 2,000 visitors,” said Meaney. “Part of our plan is to get the 1919 La France fire truck refurbished; however, we are waiting on word from Maine.”
He mentioned one of the major events this year was the remembrance ceremony of the sinking of the Caribou which was open to the public.
He explained that the society members plan to do more this year about geneology because visitors are looking for further information about their ancestors. The society will apply for funding for this project.
He added the group usually has a guest speaker at the monthly meetings, and a Christmas party is being planned for early December.
“We welcome new members, and we can be reached by contacting Robert Hillman at his home, 902-736-2139 or on his cell, 902-574-6240,” he said.
Building manager Robert Hillman says that the museum was extremely busy this season, and credits a lot of the volume to the museum acquiring the Visitor Information Centre through Destination Cape Breton and Tourism Nova Scotia. “We were fortunate to be granted six students this year through the provincial and federal governments. Also, we would like to thank the Verschuren family for their generous donation in memory of their parents and also in memory of Mrs. Jean Eyking.”
Hillman said the Verschuren family has been very kind in helping us out in many ways since the new facility opened.