Old Sydney Society

06/15/2026

1949

Cars parked near the Fortress Museum in a 1949 photo with a range light in the background.

What model cars are these?

From the NS Archives.

06/15/2026

This photo of the “Kinburn” is from August 1933. The “Kinburn” took freight and passengers from Halifax to Port Hood Island and Port Hood on a weekly basis.

As early as 1916, Lloyd's of London lists the “Kinburn” as being operated by the North Bay S.S. Co. of Port Hood.

On December 27th, 1935, the “Kinburn”, on voyage from Mulgrave to Cheticamp with general cargo, was wrecked at Cheticamp.

The May 7, 1924 issue of the “Port Hood Greetings” contained the following article about the “Kinburn”:

The Kinburn has made her first trip of the season. She bravely struggled through the ice which blocked her way from the mouth of the Strait of Canso to Port Hood Island, and reached the Island safely about four o’clock on Saturday afternoon, and proceeded north at daylight on Monday.

The Kinburn is a most reliable freight and passenger boat and is fitted with radio apparatus and is otherwise fitted for the comfort of passengers. The captain and crew are most reliable and the welfare of passengers are specially studied.

06/14/2026

June 4, 2026, marks the 300th anniversary of the signing of the Peace and Friendship Treaty of 1726. Ratified between Mi’kmaw, Wəlastəkokewiyik, and Peskətəmohkatewey leadership and the British Crown at Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia, this living agreement established relationships based on mutual respect, cooperation, and shared use of the land. As we remember this milestone, we honour the enduring spirit of the Peace and Friendship Treaties and the ongoing responsibilities they represent today.

06/14/2026

Mi'kmaq

It is National Indigenous History Month! Today we highlight Mary Christianne Paul (Morris) (d. 1886), Micmac artist and artist’s model. One of Halifax’s most interesting citizens in the 19th century, Christianne Morris is highlighted not only as a model for the Nova Scotia painters who portrayed her but as a talented artist in her own right.

Read more: http://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/paul_mary_christianne_11E.html

06/14/2026

Early 1900,s louisbourg

Photo from Artefacts Canada site and the S&L Railway museum.
School photo with grade not indicated.

Would someone like to take a guess on what year and grade this may be?

Old Town Hall School. Teacher - Jessie MacDonald. Students are identified on back of photo c. early 1900s. Louisbourg Old Town Hall School.
Teacher Miss Jessie MacDonald

1st Row: George Saad, Alex C MacDonald, Gordon MacGIllivary, Edward Wilcox, Lloyd Townsend, Walter Jewell, Donald O'Toole, Aubrey Skinner, Firby LeVatte.

2nd Row: Angus Holland, Laura Skinner, Susie Covey, Alice Ley, Katie Burke, Emma Tutty, Ruth Covey, Mary MacDonald, Clarice Peters, Florence Murphy.

3rd Row: Mary MacDonald, Evelyn Smith, Lillian Tutty, Margaret Campbell, Dorothy Stacey, Jennie Pearl, Audrey LeVatte, Janie Harris, Alberta LeVatte, Alice Murphy.

4th Row: James Burke, Harold Beaver, Gerald Harte, Grace MacKenzie, Margaret MacRury, Dorothy Comeau, Emerson Grant, Manning Burke, James MacDonald.

5th Row: Dannie Murphy, Loran MacGillivary, Neil MacLean, Wilfred Tutty, Dewitt Cross, Harold Covey, Gordon Cameron.

06/14/2026

1958

This photo may be a part of the 1958 bicentennial celebration showing a large gathering at the Fortress Museum.

In the background you can see the homes of West Louisbourg.

Can you find the German shepherd?

What else can you see in this photo?

From the Sydney&Louisburg Railway Museum

06/14/2026

Prescott House: let us protect it

Newly incorporated preservation society aims to save Prescott House Museum.

A Starrs Point resident who launched an effort to save Prescott House Museum says the initiative is starting to gain momentum. Peter Muttart said the Prescott House Preservation Society has now been incorporated as a non-profit society, which was the first step in putting everything needed to save Prescott House in place. It is now applying for charitable status with Revenue Canada under the Income Tax Act.

“I’m extremely pleased with the response. I get new communications virtually every day from people who are interested in this,” Muttart said. He said people who are interested in historic places talk to one another, and there has been somewhat of a domino effect in response to “the small amount of information that has been put out there.”

“I can’t express enough how surprised I am at the number of people who have come forward,” Muttart said. “We’ve probably got 100 people in the group now, and that’s with no effort.” The Nova Scotia Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism, and Heritage announced on Feb. 19 that Prescott House in Starrs Point was one of three provincial museums and four visitor information centres to close. [subsequent museum closures were announced].

This post is an excerpt of a longer article by Kirk Starratt. That article was published June 12 in the Annapolis Valley Register.
Photo of Peter Muttart by Kirk Starrat.

06/13/2026

1955 - Snipes on Baddeck Bay. Thanks to Walter Langille and his Dad. Cape Breton Roots@@

06/13/2026

Save Prescott house

Newly incorporated preservation society aims to save Prescott House Museum.

A Starrs Point resident who launched an effort to save Prescott House Museum says the initiative is starting to gain momentum. Peter Muttart said the Prescott House Preservation Society has now been incorporated as a non-profit society, which was the first step in putting everything needed to save Prescott House in place. It is now applying for charitable status with Revenue Canada under the Income Tax Act.

“I’m extremely pleased with the response. I get new communications virtually every day from people who are interested in this,” Muttart said. He said people who are interested in historic places talk to one another, and there has been somewhat of a domino effect in response to “the small amount of information that has been put out there.”

“I can’t express enough how surprised I am at the number of people who have come forward,” Muttart said. “We’ve probably got 100 people in the group now, and that’s with no effort.” The Nova Scotia Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism, and Heritage announced on Feb. 19 that Prescott House in Starrs Point was one of three provincial museums and four visitor information centres to close. [subsequent museum closures were announced].

This post is an excerpt of a longer article by Kirk Starratt. That article was published June 12 in the Annapolis Valley Register.
Photo of Peter Muttart by Kirk Starrat.