York Sunbury Museum
Encyclopedia
The York Sunbury Museum is a small, non-profit museum that was founded in 1934 by the York Sunbury Historical Society. The museum was housed in several different locations until 1959, when it moved into Officers' Square on Queen Street in Fredericton, New Brunswick
.
The York Sunbury Museum focuses on preserving the history of the York and Sunbury region as well as central New Brunswick. The museum possesses a large and diverse collection of artefacts, displaying a 100 year old cake, the Coleman Frog, Victorian
gowns, and a 10,000 year old Clovis Point. The museum contains more than ten exhibits, including displays on the Acadians, Loyalists
, New Brunswick's Aboriginals, a First World War Trench, and more.
The museum relies on volunteers, as it is a non profit institution with a small paid staff. The first full time paid position as a curator was held by Bob Guthrie, beginning in 1969. Prior to this, the job of a manager was done on a volunteer basis, or as a part time paid position.
, at the height of the Great Depression
, when a letter was sent out to the people of Fredericton suggesting a historical society be organized. The response was overwhelmingly positive. Within two weeks a society was formed, and by the end of 1932 there were 132 members.
The first meetings of the York Sunbury Historical Society were held on the second floor of the Post Office on Queen Street, and shortly after the society received the first of many donations of its historical artefacts.
The Society was incorporated in on February 10, 1934. Its structure and purpose are set out in the bylaws accompanying that incorporation. Its purpose was to discover and preserve the history and heritage of York and Sunbury counties in New Brunswick
(Canada
). Its structure provided for a Board of Directors elected by the members at the annual meeting and for committees to deal with different aspects of the Society's mission. Today, the society still has some 150 members, each one committed to the original mission of the York Sunbury Historical Society. The York Sunbury Historical Society operates the York Sunbury Museum (Fredericton Region Museum) in Officers' Square.
New Brunswick
New Brunswick is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the only province in the federation that is constitutionally bilingual . The provincial capital is Fredericton and Saint John is the most populous city. Greater Moncton is the largest Census Metropolitan Area...
.
The York Sunbury Museum focuses on preserving the history of the York and Sunbury region as well as central New Brunswick. The museum possesses a large and diverse collection of artefacts, displaying a 100 year old cake, the Coleman Frog, Victorian
Victorian fashion
Victorian fashion comprises the various fashions and trends in British culture that emerged and grew in province throughout the Victorian era and the reign of Queen Victoria, a period which would last from June 1837 to January 1901. Covering nearly two thirds of the 19th century, the 63 year reign...
gowns, and a 10,000 year old Clovis Point. The museum contains more than ten exhibits, including displays on the Acadians, Loyalists
Loyalist (American Revolution)
Loyalists were American colonists who remained loyal to the Kingdom of Great Britain during the American Revolutionary War. At the time they were often called Tories, Royalists, or King's Men. They were opposed by the Patriots, those who supported the revolution...
, New Brunswick's Aboriginals, a First World War Trench, and more.
The museum relies on volunteers, as it is a non profit institution with a small paid staff. The first full time paid position as a curator was held by Bob Guthrie, beginning in 1969. Prior to this, the job of a manager was done on a volunteer basis, or as a part time paid position.
York Sunbury Historical Society
The idea of the York Sunbury Historical Society was sparked in January 1932 by Martha J. HarveyMartha J. Harvey
Martha J. Harvey was a founder of the York Sunbury Historical Society which was established in 1932. She was a president of Fredericton’s Women’s Institute, an involved member of the Social Service Council, and was deeply committed to the welfare of the greater Fredericton community. The Martha J...
, at the height of the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
, when a letter was sent out to the people of Fredericton suggesting a historical society be organized. The response was overwhelmingly positive. Within two weeks a society was formed, and by the end of 1932 there were 132 members.
The first meetings of the York Sunbury Historical Society were held on the second floor of the Post Office on Queen Street, and shortly after the society received the first of many donations of its historical artefacts.
The Society was incorporated in on February 10, 1934. Its structure and purpose are set out in the bylaws accompanying that incorporation. Its purpose was to discover and preserve the history and heritage of York and Sunbury counties in New Brunswick
New Brunswick
New Brunswick is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the only province in the federation that is constitutionally bilingual . The provincial capital is Fredericton and Saint John is the most populous city. Greater Moncton is the largest Census Metropolitan Area...
(Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
). Its structure provided for a Board of Directors elected by the members at the annual meeting and for committees to deal with different aspects of the Society's mission. Today, the society still has some 150 members, each one committed to the original mission of the York Sunbury Historical Society. The York Sunbury Historical Society operates the York Sunbury Museum (Fredericton Region Museum) in Officers' Square.