History of the Bay of Fundy

The diversity in the history that has played out along the shores of the Bay of Fundy is as dramatic as the tides themselves. The region is marked by the Aboriginal, French, English, American Loyalist and Irish peoples that have populated it throughout the years. Each has maintained a strong presence in the area as evident in the local culture, name places, traditions and architecture. 

The French Connection

A small island off the Bay of Fundy became the first European settlement in North America in 1604.  Led by Sieur de Mons and accompanied by Samuel Champlain,  and 79 men attempted to settle St. Croix Island.  The first winter was tough on the explorers with ice flows cutting the new settlement off from the main land. Half of the men died of scurvy.  The following summer they moved across the Bay to Port Royal in the present day Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia.

Informative Links:

http://collections.ic.gc.ca/saintcroixisland/english/quotefile.html
http://www.stecroix2004.org/en/history.htm#islandhistory
http://www.nps.gov/sacr/

The Aboriginal Peoples of Fundy

The Aboriginal people that lived in and around the Bay of Fundy spoke the common Algonquin language, and were of  the Micmac, the Montagnais, the Algonquin, the Attikamek, the Nipissing, the Abenaki, the Ottawa and the Ojibway tribes.

Read more about these great peoples: 

http://www.bearriverculturalcenter.com/firstnationhistory.aspx
http://collections.ic.gc.ca/premieres_nations/en/n_algonquians/index.html
http://www.civilisations.ca/archeo/hnpc/npvol05e.html
http://www.civilization.ca/academ/articles/keen1_1e.html
http://www.aboriginalcanada.com/firstnation/dirfnatl.htm 
http://www.bofep.org/native_resource.htm

Loyalist Heritage

In 1783 the Treaty of Paris ended the American Revolution and approximately 40,000 Loyalists fled New England to establish a new life in Europe, England and other parts of British North America, including such Bay of Fundy neighbourhoods as Saint John and Weymouth.

Read more about the Loyalists who settled on Fundy's shores...

Discover the historical activities available along the shores of the Bay of Fundy - Historical Activities.

Travel to the Bay of Fundy to walk in the footprints of yesteryear by choosing from our Historical Packages or by using our Customized Itinerary Services.

Check out these BayofFundy.com Travel Packages that feature:

Historical Attractions 

"It was a great trip.  Thanks to having the itinerary and the tickets on hand we truly took advantage of all there was to do in New Brunswick without waiting to arrive there to find out what there was to do." - Mary Andrade & Family, Miami FL - Itinerary Planning Service June 2004