Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site
58 Wolfe Street B1C 2L2 Louisbourg, NS, Canada

The health and safety of our visitors and team members is Parks Canada’s top priority. To align with the new public health measures for Nova Scotia, effective Wednesday, April 28th, the reconstructed townsite at the Fortress of Louisbourg will be closed to the public for the next two weeks, until May 12th. Green spaces will remain open, outside of the reconstructed site. These spaces include the Lighthouse Trail and the Old Town Trail. Please remember, Nova Scotians can only ...gather indoors or outdoors with their household bubble, which is the people they live with. Mandatory masking is also required outdoors where physical distancing cannot be maintained, including playgrounds and parks. We will continue to keep the public updated through our Facebook page and websiteplease keep checking either source for the most up-to-date information.

We're hiring! Archaeologist III https://emploisfp-psjobs.cfp-psc.gc.ca//applicant/page1800

Looking for a little travel inspiration this weekend? Visit the free Saltscapes Virtual Expo April 30 - May 2 and find out what’s new at Parks Canada administered places in Nova Scotia! Start planning your Nova Scotia road trip this weekend and then, when it’s safe to travel again, you’ll have everything you need to jump in the car and visit! We can’t wait to see you again soon! http://www.saltscapesexpo.com/ ... #VirtuallyTogether #WeMissYouToo #ParksSmart #SaltscapesVirtualExpo

Since the 14th century, the Chinese have been shipping their blue and white porcelain to world markets. Made primarily of kaolin and petuntse and produced in the Jingdezhen region of southern China, it was prized throughout Europe and the colonies for its thin, translucent quality and exotic motifs. What does this have to do with Louisbourg? Well, during the height of the Jingdezhen porcelain trade, many pieces found their way to Louisbourg. Our archaeological collection currently holds 69,000 fragments of the prized pieces! The photo shows a portion of an exhibit from the 2001 Jingdezhen pottery festival held at the Fortress of Louisbourg.

We’re hiring! Public Outreach Education Officer IV If you’re an outreach superstar, then this opportunity might be for you.... We’re looking for a dynamic, creative team player with experience planning and developing public outreach education programs, products and events. From in-person to digital outreach, this role is all about connecting with Canadians to increase understanding, appreciation and support for Parks Canada administered places on Cape Breton and in Canso. If you have two years recent experience in outreach, then check this out. https://emploisfp-psjobs.cfp-psc.gc.ca//applicant/page1800

Happy International Astronomy Day! With full support of the Minister of Marine in France, Joseph Bernard de Chabert de Cogolin, Marquis de Chabert, had a timber frame observatory built in 1750the first on Canadian soil. His instruments included no fewer than eight telescopes, terrestrial globes, an octant, celestial tables and maps of the stars.

On Monday, November 18, 1929, the residents of Louisbourg experienced a rare earthquake. Centered about 340 km (210 miles) east-southeast of Louisbourg, and measuring 7.2 on the Richter scale, it was felt throughout Atlantic Canada, parts of Quebec, and much of the American East Coast as far south as the Carolinas. The main shock lasted about one minute and generated a large tsunami which reached Newfoundland’s Burin peninsula 2.5 hours later, devastating the area and resulti...ng In the loss of several lives, as well as extensive property damage. According to the diary of the town of Louisbourg’s mayor at the time, Melvin S. Huntington, In Louisburg the buildings shook violently, dishes and bottles rattled and in some cases fell to the floor. Almost everyone rushed out into the open, and did not realize what was happening until it was all over. Quite a number of persons badly frightened. No serious damage reported. Mayor Huntington’s report is available on the Cape Breton Regional Library’s website, here: http://www.cbrl.ca/LouisbourgDiaries/HD%201929.pdf [available in English only] More information about the 1929 Grand Banks earthquake and tsunami is available on the Natural Resources Canada website, here: https://www.earthquakescanada.nrcan.gc.ca//events/19291118 [More references: http://nshdpi.ca/is/hist/nshistory18.html] : The Rennie home, grounded in Eastern Cove Pond, was washed out into the bay by the first wave and back into the pond by the second wave of the 1929 Burin Peninsula tsunami. Sarah Rennie and three of her children were found drowned in the kitchen on the first floor. Three-year-old Maggie Rennie was found alive in her bed on the second floor. Credit: public domain/courtesy of the Provincial Archives of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Did you know the Fortress is open year-round? Along with beautiful French architecture and scenic hikes steeped in history, you can enjoy a visit to the ‘Louisbourg as a Fortress’ exhibit located in the reconstructed Duhaget house. This exhibit showcases the military history of the site through interpretive panels, images, dioramas, and artifacts. While the display features modern elements, the house was reconstructed according to its original 18th century plans. You can se...e fine examples of heritage carpentry, and from the second floor, enjoy beautiful views of the King’s Bastion and other surrounding buildings in the Fortress. When you look through the reproduction windows, you are looking out on the same viewscape that the 18th century residents would have enjoyed. You can imagine the conversations that were had, gathered around one of the many large fireplaces within the home as the wild winds from the Atlantic Ocean whistled around them. Visitors are asked to comply with public health guidelines by wearing a mask in all indoor public spaces, and respecting social distancing guidelines.

Many children have played inside the Fortress walls over the years. Do you recognize these familiar faces? Whether they’re participating in the Rookie Tour program or visiting us with the @Fortress Louisbourg Association Children’s Program, spending time at the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site is sure to be fun for everyone! Thank you for following along as we revisited some 35mm photographs from Louisbourg’s past. We hope you enjoyed getting a glimpse of early interpretation at the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site!

Are you looking for some fun activities you can try at home while you learn about the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site? Look no further! In the new Kids’ Corner section of our website, you can explore lots of fun activities for youth interested in history, culture and the environment. On top of that, there are fun youth activities for all of our sites in Cape Breton and Canso! From salmon conservation in Cape Breton Highlands National Park to Alexander Graham Be...ll’s inventions, bring Parks Canada fun into your home with our new youth activity booklet. Check it out here https://www.pc.gc.ca//louisb/activ/coindesenfants-kidszone

#ShareTheChair...and don't forget your mittens!

While costumed interpreters are a fan favourite among our visitors, there are many other members of the Parks Canada team that work behind the scenes to ensure you have a spectacular visit. The Parks Canada classic green uniform has changed a lot over the years. Care to take a guess as to when these uniforms were worn?

We are currently in our low season: we are open Monday to Friday, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., excluding statutory holidays. Opportunities to experience the Fortress of Louisbourg's quiet streets during the low season allow visitors to imagine life in the toughest of conditions almost 300 years ago. While there are no services available, a low season visit may provide the best opportunity for visitors to experience the stillness of the streets, take in the beauty of the exterior architecture of the buildings, or simply enjoy the treasures that life's quietest moments may bring.

A couple of years ago, one of our interpreters, Barb Landry, was featured in Spin Off magazine with her latrine hat knitting pattern. The pattern was based on a hat found in a latrine near the King’s Hospital when archaeological work was being done back in the 1960s. It had been preserved by what the writer tactfully called organic ooze.

The original budget to build the Fortress of Louisbourg was 4 million livres. It ended up costing 30 million livres.

Due to inclement weather conditions, Parks Canada advises visitors of the closure of the Louisbourg Lighthouse Road for today, November 2, 2020. Visitor safety is of the utmost importance for Parks Canada. The closure will remain in place until conditions are safe.

Happy Halloween What’s your favourite ghost story or paranormal experience from the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site? The spookier the better

Did you know that female literacy is believed to have been higher in Louisbourg than France during the 18th century? Parish records indicate that a higher than average percentage of women were able to sign their own names on marriage documents, probably thanks to the work of the Sisters of the Congregation of Notre Dame who operated Louisbourg’s only school. #FortressFunFact #Àproposdelaforteresse

Haven’t participated in our #2020MRT consultation on Parks Canada yet? You have until this Friday to share your ideas on the future management of national parks, historic sites and marine conservation areas here https://letstalkparkscanada.ca