A Neighbourly War: New Brunswick and the War of 1812 by Robert Dallison

2pm Saturday, 12 May 2012 at the Fredericton Region Museum (571 Queen Street)

March 2012 Newsletter

War of 1812 Travelling Exhibit Opened at City Hall; 2012 Diamond Jubilee Community Celebrations; Co-op Student; War of 1812 Travelling Exhibit Schedule; Annual General Meeting & Program Download (9544 kb)

Fredericton Region Museum to Launch New War of 1812 History Exhibit!

Soldier Image Credit Note: 104th Regiment of Foot, Derek Fitzjames © Parks Canada

The Fredericton Region Museum will be unveiling its bilingual travelling War of 1812 exhibit at the City Hall Gallery on Thursday, March 8 at 5:00pm. It will be on display at City Hall until the end of March at which time it will move to the Fredericton Public Library for the month of April. The exhibit was created to commemorate the bicentennial of the War. Curated by Robert Dallison, the War of 1812 exhibit includes bilingual text that highlights the events of the war, how it affected New Brunswick’s development, and the role New Brunswick played in the outcome of the war. There will also be several artefacts such as a portrait of Major General George Stracey Smythe, a copy of the Muster Roll of the 104th Regiment, which lists every member of the Regiment in 1812, and two replicas of military uniforms that were worn during the War.

Mr. Dallison, who will be publishing a book titled, A Neighbourly War – New Brunswick and the War of 1812 described the importance of the war to New Brunswick’s history by saying, “while not in the forefront of hostilities, the War of 1812 was a defining event for the fledgling Province of New Brunswick.” The president of the York Sunbury Historical Society, Fred White, has this to say about the exhibit: “It’s great to have an exhibit that represents so many of the names of the founding families of New Brunswick. This exhibit will interest many people, not just those familiar with military heritage.” The exhibit will be an accessible and fascinating way to learn more about New Brunswick’s history and experience the War of 1812 as Canadians commemorate the bicentennial of the War of 1812.

Suitable and interesting for all ages, the War of 1812 exhibit will offer viewers an opportunity to learn more about a little-known chapter of New Brunswick’s fascinating history. This project was supported by the City of Fredericton through the Arts, Culture & Heritage Funding Program, the provincial government Exhibit Renewal program and the Federal 1812 Commemoration Fund. City Hall Gallery hours are Monday to Friday from 8:30am – 4:30pm.

Fredericton Heritage Trust Talk on War of 1812

Fredericton Heritage Trust is sponsoring a talk by Bob Dallison, former Director of King’s Landing Historical Settlement, on “New Brunswick and the War of 1812,” 2:30 P.M., Saturday, October 22nd, Provincial Archives of New Brunswick. Dallison is a Fredericton Region Museum curator and is currently working on a War of 1812 exhibit for the museum.

A notice from the Fredericton Heritage Trust

Greetings, history and heritage supporters of Fredericton.

Please note the three great events listed below and tell your friends. I hope to see you at some of them.

The November 5 event is especially significant for the city because of growing interest in what might happen to York House (next to Brunswick St Baptist church) regarding its future use. I recently toured through the building to see its ten spacious work/living areas, a large auditorium covering half of the top floor, and dry basement.  A great opportunity awaits here for rigorous community thinking toward a revitalized signature building.

Liz Burge
Acting president, FHT

WEDNESDAY OCTOBER  5, 2011      
At the Fredericton Public Library gallery (September 12 – October 30) the heritage Trust’s 8 panel display in the staircase gallery promotes the October 5 public talk Historic York Street and Its Unique Railway Station by popular historians Ted and Anita Jones.A public reception starts at
6 PM, with the talk at 7 PM.You are most welcome.

SATURDAY  OCTOBER 22, 2011  2:30pm  New Brunswick and the War of 1812.

Bob Dallison is the former Director of King’s Landing Historical Settlement. This talk leads into the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812 and the March of the 104th from Fredericton to Québec and Kingston.

Provincial Archives of New Brunswick, 23 Dineen Drive, UNB Campus.  Refreshments. Free Parking.

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 5, 2011 2pm
Re-purposing heritage buildings (as in re-uses for York House on York St.) 

An illustrated talk by Shane O’DeaShane O’Dea of Newfoundland knows the issues and the ‘greening’ of re-purposing old buildings. He has restored two heritage properties he owns and promoted the development of St John’s, Nfld as a nationally significant heritage-savvy city. He chaired the Board of the Heritage Canada Foundation as well as three Nfld heritage organizations, and served on the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada. He is widely known for his engaging speaking style and his proven arguments for sustainable re-development of old buildings.Professor O’Dea will use illustrative images to discuss past successes and failures in both city and outport, and outline the current pressures, changed attitudes and risks about re-purposing heritage buildings. Audience questions and reactions will follow.

Preceding his talk will be the Trust’s Annual General Meeting at 1pm.

Provincial Archives of New Brunswick, 23 Dineen Drive, UNB Campus.  Refreshments. Free Parking.

2012 Membership Drive

The York Sunbury Historical Society is starting its annual Fall membership drive!!  I would like to give our current membership a big thank you for the past year!

Thanks to our members, in 2011 the York Sunbury Historical Society and Museum had several fabulous and sticky children’s programs, published the second War Bride issue of the Officers’ Quarters (another Officers’ Quarters is currently being prepared).  The Fredericton Region Museum had thousands of visitors and hosted many group tours, a community open house, fundraisers and opened the medical exhibit!  We have continued to make improvements to our artefact storage areas and have been fortunate to have had several amazing artefacts donated to the collection!  It was a big year and it’s not done yet!

The Objective of the Museum is to collect, preserve and interpret historical data, records and objects relating to the history of the Province of New Brunswick, and in particular that of York and Sunbury Counties.  It is the place to go to learn about the history of Fredericton and the capital region!

We hope that in 2012 we will continue what we started this year and maybe start a few new projects including a War of 1812 exhibit!  So if you are a current York Sunbury Historical Society member, please renew and if you are not a member then please review our membership levels, print a membership form and join!

Your membership in York Sunbury Historical Society assures you fantastic opportunities to programs, free admission to the Museum, a subscription to the Officers’ Quarters, discounted facility rentals and an open invitation to exhibit openings, museum functions and special events.

March 2011 Fredericton Region Museum Newsletter

Our March 2011 newsletter is posted on our website and ready for you to download! 

Newsletter Topics:
Name Change for the York Sunbury Museum; York Sunbury Historical Society Program; New Brunswick and the War of 1812 by Bob Dallison; Museum Notes; Annual General Meeting
Download (3988 kb)

York Sunbury Historical Society March Program

The York Sunbury Historical Society hosts a lecture on the third Thursday of each month, for most months.  All evening programs take place at Old Government House (51 Woodstock Road, Fredericton).  We can park on site and come in the side entrance and programs are free and open to the public! 

This month, Bob Dallison will present the program.  Plans are in the works at the Fredericton Region Museum to create a War of 1812 exhibit in time for the 200th anniversary.  A grant application has been submitted so keep your fingers crossed that we are approved.  Bob has been researching and writing a book on the subject and has kindly agreed to curate the exhibit and his program will be an introduction to his research and plans for the exhibit.  The program will be on March 17th at 7:30 so please join us and bring a friend!

New Brunswick and the War of 1812
By Bob Dallison

For two decades, Great Britain and France had been locked in a life and death struggle.  In this environment of global conflict, it became increasingly difficult for the United States of America to protect its trade links and maintain its rights as a neutral on the high seas.  With all of Britain’s resources focused on its struggle with France, the timing would never be more propitious for the United States.  On June 18, 1812, President James Madison declared war on Great Britain.

With war on its doorstep, the people of New Brunswick felt extremely vulnerable, fearing for their lives, families, and property.  Sharing an extension border with the United States made an invasion a strong possibility.  The response by the provincial legislative assembly and the general public was both patriotic and immediate, every possible measure was taken to put New Brunswick in the best possible state of defence.

To the great relief of New Brunswickers, an undeclared state of neutrality was soon established along the border with Maine.  As the threat of an invasion faded, the focus of New Brunswick‘s war effort turned to supporting the British campaigns in Upper and Lower Canada and naval operations along the Atlantic coast.  The last year of the war saw a dramatic change.  With Napoleon’s sudden collapse on the continent, military resources became available for Britain to take a more aggressive stance in North America.  The authorities in Fredericton saw this as an opportunity to resolve the disputed international Maine/New Brunswick boundary.  At their instigation, British military forces occupied Eastport and the Penobscot River Valley.  For a short period, Northern Maine was declared as part of New Brunswick.

The Treaty of Ghent ended the War of 1812 and with peace came a substantial reduction of British military forces.  Many of the regiments were disbanded and settled in North America.  These military settlers would be a major legacy of the war for New Brunswick.  While not in the forefront of hostilities, the War of 1812 was a defining event for the fledgling Province of New Brunswick.