MacInnes Adams has great affinity for Annapolis Valley’s people, history
She considers the people, a strong sense of community, great local food and a scenic landscape among the Annapolis Valley’s greatest attributes.
Originally from Digby, Kate MacInnes Adams now resides in Burlington and has always felt a strong affinity for the Valley and Bay of Fundy region.
Adams serves on the board of the North Mountain United Tapestry, which was established six years ago. The United Church of Canada was amalgamating congregations and divesting property. The Harbourville United Church was to be amalgamated with Berwick and Waterville but a group of women in the greater community banded together to save the meeting place.
They made a proposal to the United Church of Canada to partner with them. The building, dating from 1860, remains a church and hosts four services a year but is now also home to the North Mountain United Tapestry.
The non-profit tapestry hosts regular farmers' markets, an artisan gallery and live musical events. Adams said they’ve had one indoor musical event this year, following COVID-19 health protocols, and they built an outdoor stage so they could have live music on Saturdays during the farmers' markets. They often hosted workshops prior to the pandemic.
“We also have a history corner,” Adams said. “Very much a part of my love for the community is the history.”
She has worked closely with friends Pat Kemp and former Kings County Museum curator Bria Stokesbury to put together a collection of artifacts associated with the North Mountain community which is on display.
Adams started her job as office manager at the Kings County Museum in Kentville around the same time the tapestry was formed. She said it was easy transitioning into the role, as former office manager Cathy Margeson had things so well organized.
Although the job involves administrative work, Stokesbury gave Adams the flexibility and opportunities to curate exhibits. Adams has also organized many fundraising and community events.
It’s her love of history and interacting with people that makes the job so appealing to her, and a personal connection: her father was once president of the Kings Historical Society. Adams said the hardest part of having to close the doors due to COVID-19 was not having that regular social interaction with visitors and historical society members. This is the part of the job she loves most.
During the pandemic, the museum teamed up with the Kings-Hants Heritage Connection to put on a virtual fibre arts exhibit. The museum is hosting an exhibit commemorating 150 years of history of the Kentville Masonic Lodge by appointment on Wednesdays until Dec. 18. There is also an exhibit called “What’s Your Headline?” currently on display.
Adams said they hosted their first tour the previous week and it was great to “feel that energy inside the building again.” To book a Wednesday tour for a limited number of visitors, call the museum at 902-678-6237. For more information, visit the museum’s website at www.kingscountymuseum.ca or the museum’s Facebook page.
Adams sat down recently for a Q&A session:
Q: What is your full name? A: Catherine Louise MacInnes Adams.
Q: Where and when were you born?
A: April 1, 1958, in Digby, Nova Scotia.
Q: Where do you live today?
A: Burlington.
Q: What’s your favourite place in the world?
A: My favourite place in the world is probably right where I live, the brook that leads down to the Bay of Fundy.
Q: What would people be surprised to learn about you?
A: I’m not an extrovert. People always think of me as being an extrovert. Where I gather my energy from is quiet solitude by a brook or in the woods or by the ocean. The deepest part of me is solitary.
Q: What is your greatest indulgence?
A: My greatest indulgence is great, local food…It shouldn’t be an indulgence, that’s what everybody should have access to.
Q: What is your favourite movie or book?
A: My favourite book in the past year is Christy Ann Conlin’s book of short stories, Watermark. It’s just stellar. As far as movies go, it’s a Christmas movie with Mary Steenburgen, One Magic Christmas.
Q: How do you like to relax?
A: I love to relax by hiking and walking. I’m going to do the Chignecto Trail next month with my family; it’s a three-day hike, two nights in the wilderness.
Q: How would you describe your personal fashion statement?
A: My personal fashion statement is eclectic.
Meet Your Neighbour is a regular feature that profiles area residents. Want to suggest someone that should be featured? Email your idea to scott.doherty@saltwire.com.