Category: Bill Hamilton’s Tantramar Flashback — Series 1

Columns originally published in the The Sackville Tribune-Post

Remembering Dr. Palmer of Palmer hall

In the late 1950s Mount Allison University was still experiencing a period of expansion following World War Two. As each year passed, it became more obvious that existing residence space was inadequate. In 1957 enrolment exceeded the 1,000 mark for the first time, with the result that many students were being housed off campus. To… Continue reading…

John Wesley and the Chignecto “Connexion”

In case you are wondering, today’s title does not contain a typo. The word connexion is deeply implanted within the Methodist denomination and refers to a system of inter-related congregations. In a few weeks, people of Methodist heritage around the world will mark the birth date of John Wesley (1703–1791), the founder of Methodism. Born… Continue reading…

Do You Remember Arbor Day?

If your answer to the question in the title of today’s Flashback was yes, then its a safe bet that you were in school some time during the early to mid-decades of the last century. From roughly 1900 to 1950, Arbor Day, which simply means Tree Day, and usually held on a Friday in May,… Continue reading…

Remembering Sackville’s Founder Josiah Wood

There were many reasons why Sackvillians voted in favour of incorporation on January 12, 1903. The need for improved streets and sidewalks, a water and sewerage system, fire protection, local policing and the attraction of new industry were among the factors that swayed ratepayers. Yet, there was another and equally important explanation for the outcome…. Continue reading…

Certain Municipal Offenses in Sackville’s Early Days

Recently while researching at the Provincial Archives of New Brunswick, I spent some time reviewing the Statutes of the Province along with documents relating to incorporation of towns. In particular, I was interested in checking the legislation concerning Sackville. Dull work it was; however, there were occasional moments of relief… By way of background, its… Continue reading…

Sackville’s Enterprise Banquet of 1903

Although the event has been forgotten and the participants are no longer in our midst; it must have ranked as one of the most important events of the year. Since it took place just over a century ago, on January 14th, 1903, you may wonder how it came to my attention or what its significance… Continue reading…

Memories of a Dorchester Traveller: Part II

The Flashback published on Feb. 26th provided background on the life and times of the travelling man from Dorchester, Alexander Black (1838–1902). Today’s column, also based on his informative and interesting Diary, will feature an account of an extended trip by rail to Canada. On Feb. 26th, 1878, Alexander Black wrote: I started for Ottawa… Continue reading…

Memories of a Dorchester Traveller Part I

Browsing through tourism brochures, visitors to Dorchester have been known to question references to the villages role during the Golden Age of Sail. Statements such as: It was shipbuilding that made Dorchester famous around the world, cause the skeptical to ask: How could there be shipbuilding without a harbour? Tour guides, having heard this before,… Continue reading…

Do We Need a February Break?

A recent headline in the Globe & Mail highlighted the most universal of all Canadian greetings: Bon jour, cold eh? For whatever reason, winter 2003 has witnessed a deep freeze of unprecedented proportions. This conclusion has been proven by record breaking cold temperatures throughout the Maritimes. Even the weather forecasts have heightened our awareness of… Continue reading…