In honour of the 200th anniversary of the founding of the Fredericton Society of Saint Andrew, the Fredericton Region Museum is proud to host a vibrant new exhibition programme entitled “Celebrating 200 Years of Scottish Benevolence in Fredericton.” The opening of this new exhibition took place on May 25, with Her Worship Kate Rogers (herself a proud descendant of Scottish immigrants to Fredericton) officiating. Mayor Rogers spoke of the significant contributions of Scots to the formation and growth of Fredericton as a City.

Celebrating 200 Years of Scottish Benevolence

The Fredericton Society of Saint Andrew was established on November 30 1825, as a benevolent organisation intended to provide “relief for Distressed Natives of Scotland and their Descendants.” The first President was Peter Fraser, who among his many roles of provincial significance, was the financial backer of the Bank of New Brunswick. Other founding members included John Simpson (first Mayor of Fredericton) who served as Secretary, artist George N Smith who served as Vice-President, and Thomas R. Robertson (merchant and former member of the 74th Regiment of Foot), who served as Treasurer. Over the years that have followed, the Society has continued to afford charity to those in need, by dispersing scholarships to students at the University of New Brunswick, and helping to perpetuate Scottish traditions and culture throughout the Capital region.

The Society also played a pivotal role in the development of the Fredericton Society of Saint Andrew Pipe Band, which had its beginnings 100 years ago—in 1925. That year, newcomers to Fredericton, Donald J. McLeod and John H. MacFarlane, both joined the Society, and soon after, the two were gathering with other Society members for informal pipe and drum jam sessions. They were soon joined by recent arrivals from Scotland, Samuel Lean and James D Campbell, who brought with them their skill and knowledge of the Scottish bagpipes. Thus began a 100-year tradition in Fredericton that has since evolved into an award-winning pipe band that proudly represents our city at Highland gatherings and competitions across North America as well as Scotland.

“Celebrating 200 Years of Scottish Benevolence in Fredericton” will be on exhibit in the Fredericton Region Museum until November 30. Be sure to stop by for a visit and learn more about the Scottish heritage of the Capital Region!

Old Burial Ground Walking Tours

Other related activities offered this summer include in-person walking tours of the Old Burial Ground on Brunswick Street. Commencing at the museum, a volunteer member of the Society will lead you on a short walk to Brunswick Street, where you’ll learn the stories of Fredericton’s Scottish settlers. These one-hour tours will be offered on Saturdays at 4pm on the following dates: July 12 and 26, as well as August 9 and 23. Tours will commence in front of the Fredericton Region Museum (and are also available by special request on other days by calling the museum in advance).

Music on the Balcony

If enjoying Scottish music is more your inclination, the museum is also offering several musical performances on the museum’s scenic Balcony. Commencing on Sunday July 6 (from 1:00 to 2:00), Frantically Atlantic will perform Scottish music from the museums’ archival collection. These performances will take place on Sundays from 1:00 pm to- 2:00 pm on July 6, 13, and 20, as well as August 24 and 31.

Then on Wednesday afternoons (from 12:15 to 12:45) commencing July 9, the museum will host pipers on the balcony, featuring the talent of the Fredericton Society of Saint Andrew Pipe Band. These performances will take place every Wednesday afternoon in July and August.

But wait! There’s even more! Back by popular demand are the gifted orchestral youth group MEKA, who will return for two cameo performances on July 31 (6:00 to 6:30 pm) and August 12 (12:15 to 12:45). Featured within their wide repertoire of orchestral music will also be historic tunes from the museum’s archival collection.

Picnics on the Balcony

Undoubtedly, the Fredericton Region Museum offers one of the best views of Officers’ Square. What better way to round off (or simply begin) your summer afternoon museum experience than to enjoy a delicious healthy lunch on our balcony! All for just $20–25 (including museum admission), you can come for the music, and stay for lunch!

To take advantage of this service, simply order your lunch upon arrival at the museum entrance… visit the museum… and we will deliver your lunch to you on the balcony—where you can dine in leisure. This service is provided in partnership with The Squeeze as well as Downtown Development Fredericton, and is available throughout July and August.

Summer Hours

Commencing June 26, the museum will be open summer hours: Monday to Saturday 10am to 5pm, Thursdays until 7pm (half-price admission after 5pm), and Sundays from 12 noon until 5pm.

Funding for these activities are provided by the Province of New Brunswick (Department of Culture and Heritage), as well as the City of Fredericton (Arts, Culture and Heritage Program), Downtown Development Fredericton, the York-Sunbury Historical Society, and the Fredericton Society of Saint Andrew.

For more information, please contact:
Alena Krasnikova, Executive Director
Fredericton Region Museum www.frederictonregionmuseum.com
Email: frederictonregionmuseum@gmail.com or phone 506-455-6041

The Fredericton Region Museum acknowledges the unceded and unconquered territory of Wəlastəkokewiyik / Wolastoqiyik. The Fredericton Museum, located in Ekwpahak | Fredericton, sits on lands designated by the Peace and Friendship Treaties of 1725-1779. These treaties did not deal in the transfer of land, rather they laid a foundation for what was to be an ongoing nation-to-nation relationship between the British Crown and Indigenous Peoples.