heritagecentre

A visit to the North Shore is not complete without a visit to the award-winning Creamery Square Heritage Centre in Tatamagouche, which combines several community museums, exhibits, collections and archives all under one roof. Unique to Nova Scotia!

May 22 - June 25: Weekdays 2 - 5 pm (or by appointment)
Saturdays 10 am - 5 pm
Sundays 12 - 5 pm

June 26 - August 29: Monday - Saturday 10 am - 8 pm
Sundays 12 - 5 pm

Admission Fees:
Adult $5
Senior & Student $4
Children under 12 free

Our facility provides wheelchairs, an elevator to the second floor and ample parking.
For information, bus tours or classroom visits please call 657-3449 to let us know of your arrival.

Heritage Centre Partners & Programs:
The exterior of the Creamery is virtually unchanged since its closure in 1992 however inside you are sure to find something to delight and interest you, with interactive displays, "Boiler Bob", and guides always ready to assist.

The Sunrise Trail Museum concentrates on early settlements of Mi'kmaq, Acadians and J.F.W. Desbarres; 19th century agriculture and the ago of ship building up to the early 20th century.

The Anna Swan Display tells the life story of our local giantess who weighed 18 lbs at birth and grew to 7' 11" in height. Anna joined Barnum Circus at 16 and later met and married the "Kentucky Giant" Martin Van Burren Bates. Anna became good friends with Queen Victoria.

The Brule Fossil Collection features one of the most important fossil track way discoveries in the world. Journey back in time 290 million years ago, before the dinosaurs, and see a recreation of the creatures that made the track ways in an ancient Walchia forest of the Permian Period.

The Creamery Exhibit details the story of the local and regional importance of the Creamery itself from 1925-1992 and the production of the famous Tatamagouche Butter, still available today!

The North Shore Archives boasts an extensive collection of maps and documents relating to the North Shore. Research resources include genealogical records of local families, census records, history books, obituaries and cemetery records, pictures, photographs, maps and newspapers about local history, people, places and events. Access additional information about any of our exhibits online at one of our computer research stations. (research fees apply)

The Activity Room is a place for young minds to enjoy a hands-on heritage experience with many fun activities.

The Gift Shop offers and great variety of local crafts and souvenirs, from pottery and preserves to handmade jewelry and clothing. Something for everyone!

The Heritage Walking Tour offers a guided stroll along the Butter Trail alongside the tidal Waugh River to Patterson's Wharf (constructed by local men during "The Week The Women Went") and back through the village highlighting historic sites in Tatamagouche (twice daily - fees apply)

Call to pre-arrange a Classroom Visit to the Heritage Centre with the following educational programs:

1. "The Tatamagouche Creamery and Butter"- story of the Creamery, the dairy farms that supplied it, the importance to the community and a hands-on butter-making experience!2. "Anna Swan - A Legend in Her Time"3. "The Brule Fossils - An Exploration Through Time"4. "Heritage Tatamagouche"- local history in the Sunrise Trail Museum's extensive collection5. "Introducing Archives" - useful for research projects

NEW OFF-SITE EDUCATION INITIATIVE!

Heritage Centre Volunteers Available to Visit Classrooms about Any of the Following Themes:1. Early 20th century school life2. "From way back when..." gives an opportunity to handle, identify and discuss small domestic objects from the 19th and 20th centuries3. "Those who had and had not" describes the differences in domestic lifestyles between social classes in the 19th and 20th centuries (features costumes and artifacts)4. Anna Swan - a look at her life5. "Child's war". Home front experiences during WWII from England

There is no charge for off-site visits however a donation and consideration of mileage would be kindly appreciated.

For more information regarding any of the above programs please email:

Heritage Centre at cs.heritage@ns.aliantzinc.caShirley Brinkhurst at shirley.brinkhurst@gmail.com or Maralyn Driver at maralyn.driver@northnovacable.ca