mapannapolis

06/01/2026

TREATY CELEBRATION SET FOR JUNE 4 AT FORT ANNE, ANNAPOLIS ROYAL

There’s a story to be told on the grounds of Fort Anne National Historic Site in Annapolis Royal. One of Canada’s most important events happened there and will be celebrated June 4, 2026 exactly 300 years later – ratification of the 1725 Boston Treaty.

For Mapannapolis, this is one of the major and most significant stories in the rich fabric of history in Annapolis County, NS because it creates the foundation upon which the Mi’kmaq and settlers could build.

We’ll be there and you’re invited too.

On this Thursday, at Parks Canada, Annapolis Valley's Fort Anne National Historic Site in the Town of Annapolis Royal, NS the Grand Council and Mi'kmaw Kin'matnewey, in partnership with Parks Canada will host a special gathering marking the 300th anniversary of the signing of the 1726 Peace and Friendship Treaty.

The event — Mu’wtmnek ki’si’st kaksitml’naqnipukik Ankoamkewey/Honouring 300 Years of Living Treaty — will bring together Mi’kmaq leadership, Elders, youth, and community members for a day of reflection, cultural programming, drumming, dancing, artisan vendors, live performances, and a formal ceremony including leadership remarks and a plaque unveiling.

The gathering runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and honours the enduring spirit of the Peace and Friendship Treaties — agreements that continue to shape relationships in Atlantic Canada nearly three centuries later.

The location is especially significant because exactly 300 years ago on that date, chiefs of the Mi’kmaq, Wolastoqiyik, and Abenaki Nations gathered at Fort Anne’s West Bastion in Annapolis Royal to formally ratify the 1725 Boston Treaty with British Lieutenant-Governor John Doucett.

Sixty-four chiefs affirmed the agreement, establishing what would become the foundation for later treaty negotiations between the British Crown and Atlantic First Nations. The Peace and Friendship Treaties remain legally and historically important today, continuing to be referenced in Supreme Court rulings.

To see the Parks Canada, Annapolis Valley post, go to: https://www.facebook.com/photo/fbid=122211214976325063&set=a.122120293418325063

To visit Mapannapolis, go to:
https://www.mapannapolis.ca/

To visit our many storymaps, go to:
https://www.mapannapolis.ca/storymaps

To visit Fort Anne National Historic Site, go to:
https://parks.canada.ca/lhn-nhs/ns/fortanne

To visit Parks Canada Annapolis Valley, go to: https://www.facebook.com/search/topq=parks%20canada%20annapolis%20valley

06/01/2026

06/01/2026

GARRISON GRAVEYARD STORIES: MRS. AGNES HEAPS, CONFECTIONER IN ANNAPOLIS ROYAL, NS

Garrison Graveyard at Parks Canada, Annapolis Valley's Fort Anne National Historic Site in the Town of Annapolis Royal, NS, tells the stories of scores of people dating back 300 years.

Mapannapolis, and partners, have spent many volunteer hours documenting those buried at one of Canada’s most significant burial grounds.

In the section of the graveyard close to the courthouse is the headstone for Mrs. Agnes Heaps, who died (according to her headstone) on February 14 th , 1868, aged 75 years.

She was born about 1792, on Prince Edward Island, the daughter of John Laird. She
had married a Mr. Heaps and when we find her in Annapolis Royal, she was widowed.

In her will she mentions a granddaughter, Harriet Mellville, wife of George
Mehlman/Mailman. According to her death record, she died on February 15 th , from influenza.

Mrs. Heap’s operated a confectionery shop in town, and in her estate papers can be
found an inventory of her stock in trade. This gives us a glimpse into what she was
selling, which included, assorted candy, candy drops, raisins, caraway candy, stick
candy, horehound candy, dried apples, and to***co.

Mrs. Agnes Heap’s headstone is number 221 on Mapannapolis’ Exploring Garrison
Graveyard Storymap, a free online resource where visitors can browse names and click pins for more information on the 234 headstones that survive in the graveyard.

*Please note that this is an ongoing project and corrections will be made as new information is uncovered.

To explore the Garrison Graveyard and the many people buried there, visit our
Storymap:
https://www.mapannapolis.ca/garrison-graveyard

For more information on Agnes Heaps see here:
https://annapolisgenealogy.ca/people/32591

05/29/2026

GARRISON GRAVEYARD STORIES: MRS. AGNES HEAPS, CONFECTIONER IN ANNAPOLIS ROYAL, NS

Garrison Graveyard at Parks Canada, Annapolis Valley's Fort Anne National Historic Site in the Town of Annapolis Royal, NS, tells the stories of scores of people dating back 300 years.

Mapannapolis, and partners, have spent many volunteer hours documenting those buried at one of Canada’s most significant burial grounds.

In the section of the graveyard close to the courthouse is the headstone for Mrs. Agnes Heaps, who died (according to her headstone) on February 14 th , 1868, aged 75 years.

She was born about 1792, on Prince Edward Island, the daughter of John Laird. She
had married a Mr. Heaps and when we find her in Annapolis Royal, she was widowed.

In her will she mentions a granddaughter, Harriet Mellville, wife of George
Mehlman/Mailman. According to her death record, she died on February 15 th , from influenza.

Mrs. Heap’s operated a confectionery shop in town, and in her estate papers can be
found an inventory of her stock in trade. This gives us a glimpse into what she was
selling, which included, assorted candy, candy drops, raisins, caraway candy, stick
candy, horehound candy, dried apples, and to***co.

Mrs. Agnes Heap’s headstone is number 221 on Mapannapolis’ Exploring Garrison
Graveyard Storymap, a free online resource where visitors can browse names and click pins for more information on the 234 headstones that survive in the graveyard.

*Please note that this is an ongoing project and corrections will be made as new information is uncovered.

To explore the Garrison Graveyard and the many people buried there, visit our
Storymap:
https://www.mapannapolis.ca/garrison-graveyard

For more information on Agnes Heaps see here:
https://annapolisgenealogy.ca/people/32591

05/27/2026

WALKING THROUGH HISTORY IN ANNAPOLIS ROYAL

Walking through the Town of Annapolis Royal is like walking through history. Most of the town is a heritage area and the town's website (https://annapolisroyal.com/) boasts: "We’re proud of our many well-preserved heritage buildings that make up one of the loveliest streetscapes in the country."

Mapannapolis has created a walking tour through the town, with numerous stops along the way at some of Canada's oldest wooden and brick buildings. Each tells a story, including the beautiful Dominion Atlantic Railway station that has been beautifully restored.

The station was built during the winter of 1913–1914 after the first station burned down. The new station was designed in the Arts and Crafts style and built of brick. The 'fancy' design was part of a marketing plan to lure tourists. It welcomed the troop trains during the First World War but saw its last VIA Rail train in 1990.

It was bought by a town resident in 2005 and was restored to become home to a local business.

Mapannapolis' Annapolis Royal Walking Tour, a free digital experience, takes you to numerous locations including a courthouse, museums, homes of note, several historic sites, and more.

To join our walking tour online, GoTo:
https://www.mapannapolis.ca/annapolis-royal-walking-tour

To see our other walking tours GoTo:
www.mapannapolis.ca

To see our blog on Annapolis Royal designs, GoTo:
https://tinyurl.com/ycnwjmyh

Another blog on house designs is at:
https://tinyurl.com/mr3eunse

To read more about the historic railway station GoTo:
https://tinyurl.com/mry6chmb

05/25/2026

PORT-ROYAL JOURNAL 48: Marguerite à Germain Doucet 1700

In 1700, Marguerite Doucet was a widow. She was living with her son Claude Dugas and his large family. Her husband Abraham Dugas had recently died and was not listed in the Census of 1700. Her son had moved on to the large family farm to take over from his father and care for his mother. The evolution of this family story is something that many of us will find familiar. As our parents age, many children will face similar and difficult decisions. We can get a deeper understanding of history by finding the links that help us empathize with the cold facts from the history books. Marguerite was around 75 years of age, a mother, grandmother, and matriarch of the Dugas family in Acadie.

The farm of Marguerite Doucet and Abraham Dugas was on Route 1, just outside of the Town of Annapolis Royal, between the old railway bridge and Dugway Road. Claude’s farm was further west on the same road, just before the Upper Clements Cottages and RV Park.

The Port-Royal Journal is a series dedicated to revealing the stories of everyday life in the community.
https://www.mapannapolis.ca/port-royal-journal

Source:
https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Doucet-23

05/22/2026

CELEBRATING THE ANNAPOLIS COUNTY COURTHOUSE IN SPRING

"The Annapolis County Court House is a solid, well-preserved, two-story Palladian building located at the corner of St. George Street and Prince Albert Road in the Town of Annapolis Royal, Annapolis County, Nova Scotia." St. George Street is the local portion of Highway 8 which starts in Liverpool on the Atlantic Shore and ends in the Town where once shipping wharves lined the River.

Prince Albert Road is the local portion of Highway 1 connecting Yarmouth in the extreme southwest of Nova Scotia and the provincial capital, Halifax.

"The present Annapolis County Court House, built in 1837, designed by magistrates of the County’s Grand Jury and built by master builder Francis LeCain in 1836-1837, the Annapolis County Court House replaces an earlier (1793) wood frame courthouse and gaol that stood on the same site and burned in 1836."

"The Old Court House is also significant because it embodies the pure symmetry, horizontality and Classical Revival detailing of the Palladian Style."

All quoted text from:
https://www.historicplaces.ca/

www.mapannapolis.ca is the home of extensive records of County heritage and historical buildings.
https://www.mapannapolis.ca/historical-houses