Westmorland County: Marshlands and History

Westmorland County borders the Northumberland Strait and the upper reaches of the Bay of Fundy. The marshlands of Westmorland were an important part of the traditional routes of the Mi’kmaq. This connection between geography and history offers several themes to consider when planning a trip: landscape, architectural history and historical events. If you are looking for a vacation rental, you can first consider which of these themes you would like to shape your stay.

Railway and Architectural History

One specific date in transportation history is the opening of the second railway line built in the Maritimes: it took place in Shediac in 1857. This gives the railway history a specific place and date, without blending it with the region’s other historical themes.

At the Boultenhouse Heritage Centre in Sackville, visitors can explore New Brunswick’s industrial past in shipbuilding. The Centre consists of three buildings: a Georgian house built by the Bulmer family around 1790, a Greek Revival-style house built by Boultenhouse in 1840, and the Anderson Octagonal House dating to around 1855. The sequence from around 1790 through 1840 to approximately 1855 makes the span of time tangible; the different names also invite comparisons between architectural styles. Architecture and shipbuilding history thus offer two distinct cultural perspectives on a visit.

Fort Beauséjour/Cumberland

Westmorland County is home to New Brunswick’s only surviving major colonial-era fort: Fort Beauséjour/Cumberland, which has a museum. This Parks Canada National Historic Site was besieged by the British in 1755 and by American rebels in 1776. The two dates represent different sieges and provide a specific historical framework for the fort’s history. When choosing your vacation rental based on your trip’s themes, you can make the history of the fort a distinct focus alongside architectural and shipbuilding history.

More Nature Experiences in New Brunswick

The wider destination of New Brunswick also offers other nature and activity options. The approximately 500-metre-long Kellys Beach Boardwalk in Kouchibouguac National Park provides access to Kellys Beach. Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park has three main access points to the Ocean Floor; the Ocean Floor (Low Tide) route is 1.9 kilometres long. The approximate length of the boardwalk and the length of the named route provide two specific distances to compare.

Fundy Trail Provincial Park is open seasonally from mid-May to mid-October. It covers 2,559 hectares and has a 30-kilometre parkway along New Brunswick’s south coast, with views of the Bay of Fundy. In Fundy National Park, the trail network offers coastal views, vistas of the world’s highest tides, Acadian forests, waterfalls, moss-covered river valleys and swimming pools in the backcountry. In the wider destination, visitors can choose from a range of landscapes and trails as travel interests, alongside the historical themes of Westmorland County.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Moncton, Shediac, Sackville, Murray Corner, Dieppe, Beaubassin East, Melrose, Cap-Pele, Memramcook

Return to the main travel overview: New Brunswick.