Tour celebrates the Hillsborough
The Hillsborough River is hosting a heritage tour to celebrate Canada’s 150th anniversary of Confederation and the importance and value of this Canadian Heritage River.
On Saturday, Islanders and visitors are invited on a tour of heritage sites around the Hillsborough, P.E.I.’s first designated Canadian Heritage River. The tour will include presentations on water-powered mills and ice harvesting, Mi’kmaq’s use of the Hillsborough, heritage river values, saltmarshes, displays of exhibits and artifacts used by the Mi’kmaq as well as Acadian, Scottish, Irish and English immigrants and the reality of climate change and storm surges on a tidal river and entertainment.
Sites visited will include Andrew’s Dam in Charlottetown (East Royalty), the Scotchfort Glenroy heritage cluster (CHRS monument, the Hillsborough salt marshes, Scotchfort Pioneer Cemetery), the Hillsborough River Eco-Centre in Mount Stewart, the Shamrock Club heritage display in Fort Augustus and Jim Hornby’s home in Mount Herbert for local history and music.
Participants are encouraged to either book space in a passenger van (limited seats available) or join in a car pool caravan to the various sites. Speakers at each site will provide one or more pertinent presentations. Pre-register is necessary, especially for anyone wishing to travel in the passenger van. Contact pisquidwatershed@gmail.com or text or phone at 902-218-2594 or 902-393-4385.
Through support from the Canadian Heritage Rivers Canada 150 project and the Hillsborough River Association, there will be no charge for participants, but donations will be accepted to support the association’s programs. There will be light refreshments, and a light lunch will be provided at noon.
The Hillsborough River Association, with support from the Canadian Heritage Rivers’ Canada 150 project is hosting a variety of events and activities during 2017 with the overriding theme of “All Around the Hillsborough”. In addition to 2017 being Canada’s 150th anniversary, this year marks the 20th anniversary of the designation of the Hillsborough as the Island’s first Canadian Heritage