Rainy, windy and chilly. So much for the a follow up to the gorgeous day of yesterday. Oh Well. Today we spent visiting Jean, a long time neighbour of our family and a very good and kind friend of my mother. We spent time reminiscing and figuring out who now lives in the various houses in the village. We talked about the quilting that the women used to do at our house. My father (we believe) made the quilting poles and frames that they used. My niece had these in Edmonton and we brought them back to be donated to the local museum.
A little bit about my home town. Gagetown was originally named Grimross by the Acadians and Maliseet who lived there before the Expulsion of the Acadians. Many of the Acadians had become refugees and lived along the river. What happened to them is not a great part of history. Gagetown got its name from the British General Sir Thomas Gage. He was granted a large tract of land in appreciation of his service to the British Empire in the Seven’s Year War (1756-1763). The village is known for its old houses (some over 200 years old), the Mount House (possibly built in 1670s by Sieur Pierre Joybert de Soulanges),, the home of Sir Leonard Tilley , a Father of Confederation (His old home is the current museum), the Loomcrofters studio (built around 1761). You can read more about the Loomcrofters at the following website: (LoomCrofters). I used to make cufflinks and earrings for them as I growning up. The village has changed since I left and is now known for its artisans and crafters and we did see a sign for a distillery and cider (apple orchards are common) but haven’t stopped by as yet. The village is on a creek which is really just a deviation of the Saint John River. A way back when steamers used to stop at the wharf and now it is boats of all sorts. For more about Gagetown (click here)
