NOVEMBER 2011 Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site of Canada Management Plan ii © Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, represented by the Chief Executive Officer of Parks Canada, 2011. Cette publication est aussi disponible en français. Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication Parks Canada Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site of Canada management plan [electronic resource]. Issued also in French under title: Lieu historique national du Canada de la Forteresse-de-Louisbourg, plan directeur. Electronic monograph in PDF format. Issued also in printed form. ISBN 978-1-100-13569-4 Cat. no.: R64-105/85-2010E-PDF 1. Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site (N.S.)—Management. 2. Historic sites—Nova Scotia—Management. 3. Historic sites—Canada—Management. I. Title. FC2314 L68 P37 2010 971.6'955 C2009-980280-5 For more information about the management plan or about Fortress of Louisbourg, Wolfe’s Landing and Royal Battery National Historic Sites of Canada: Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site of Canada 259 Park Service Road, Louisbourg, N.S. B1C 2L2 tel: 902-733-2280, fax: 902-733-3607 e-mail: [email protected] www.parkscanada.gc.ca Front Cover Image Credits top images: Chris Reardon; main image: Dale Wilson Fortress of Louisbourg, Wolfe’s Landing and iii Royal Battery National Historic Sites of Canada Management Plan Foreword Canada’s national historic sites, national parks and national marine conservation areas are part of a century-strong Parks Canada network which provides Canadians and visitors from around the world with unique opportunities to experience and embrace our wonderful country. From our smallest national park to our most visited national historic site to our largest national marine conservation area, each of Canada’s treasured places offers many opportunities to enjoy Canada’s historic and natural heritage. These places serve as sources of inspiration, relaxation, learning and discovery. They represent the very best that Canada has to offer, and it is through these special places that we are all deeply connected to what it means to be Canadian. Having been entrusted with this important legacy for over a hundred years, we reflect upon the steady growth of the Parks Canada network of protected areas as we continue to expand it. As we plan for the years to come, we can encourage lasting connections to our heritage and promote our protected places to be enjoyed in ways that leave them unimpaired for present and future generations. We see a future in which these special places will further Canadians’ appreciation, understanding and enjoyment of Canada, the economic well-being of communities, and the vitality of our society. Our Government’s vision is to build a culture of heritage conservation in Canada by offering Canadians exceptional opportunities to build personal connections with our natural and cultural heritage. These values form the foundation of the new management plan for Fortress of Louisbourg, Wolfe’s Landing and Royal Battery National Historic Sites of Canada. I offer my appreciation to the many thoughtful Canadians who helped to develop this plan, particularly to our dedicated team from Parks Canada, and to all those local organizations and individuals who have demonstrated their good will, hard work, spirit of co-operation and extraordinary sense of stewardship. In this same spirit of partnership and responsibility, I am pleased to approve the Fortress of Louisbourg, Wolfe’s Landing and Royal Battery National Historic Sites of Canada Management Plan. Peter Kent Minister of the Environment and Minister responsible for Parks Canada iv Fortress of Louisbourg, Wolfe’s Landing and v Royal Battery National Historic Sites of Canada Management Plan Recommendations Recommended by: Alan Latourelle Chief Executive Officer Parks Canada Chip Bird Field Unit Superintendent Cape Breton Field Unit Parks Canada vi Fortress of Louisbourg, Wolfe’s Landing and vii Royal Battery National Historic Sites of Canada Management Plan Executive Summary This management plan for the Fortress of Leadership through Innovation, the Past Louisbourg, Wolfe’s Landing and Royal Battery Looking Forward – National Historic Sites of Canada (or the Sites) In the vision, it states: provides strategic direction for achieving Parks Canada’s mandate, namely: protection “ A hike through the ruins of the surround- of natural and cultural resources; the facilita- ing town, the fortifications and siege tion of opportunities for meaningful visitor camps teach us about the dramatic history experiences; and fostering public appreciation of this place...Many of our experiences at and understanding of Parks Canada’s heritage the Fortress of Louisbourg resonate and places. The plan was developed with partner, reflect the challenges and concern of our stakeholder, staff, visitor, and public involve- lives today; it is a place that we visit not ment. It will be the primary public accountabil- only for its past, but for its present.” ity document for the Sites and provides Parks Canada staff with a framework for decision This portion of the vision will be achieved making. through the continued focus on the Fortress of Louisbourg’s long-standing and recognised The management plan includes: tradition of quality and innovation in archaeo- • A vision for the future; logical, historical, and material culture • Three key strategies, which will guide the research. Through this management plan, direction of the Sites over the next 15 years; Parks Canada will make connections with • An area management approach, which Canadians today through evolving represen- provides strategic direction for the tations of the diverse history of Louisbourg. In-Situ1 Townsite, Battlefields, and the The Sites will also continue to develop and Reconstructed Townsite; maintain strong collaborations with external • A summary of the Strategic Environmental institutions and organisations to sustain this Assessment (SEA) conducted for this man- tradition of innovation. agement plan; and, • An implementation strategy that summar- Louisbourg Throughout the Year: Spirit of izes the planned actions. Community – In the vision, it states: The following is a description of the three key strategies. These strategies provide con- “In the spirit of community between his- crete direction for addressing the major issues toric Louisbourg and Cape Breton today and opportunities facing the Sites and focus we experience the past and the present efforts and resources towards achieving the working together to host the world.” vision. In order to achieve this vision, Parks Canada will work with others to be relevant to and create positive connections with local and cultural communities, and make the Sites and surrounding communities a year-round 1 in-situ refers to archaeological resources situated in their original place or position viii destination. This management plan aims to It is the physical features and natural facilitate a shared sense of ownership with resources of the Louisbourg harbour that has Mi’kmaq, local and cultural communities brought and kept people here for centuries. through developing opportunities for increased Whether it is the thrill of being on the ocean, participation in the management and decision- or exploring the ship wrecks from historic making for the Sites. battles, or approaching the Fortress in the same way as past discoverers, this manage- The Harbour is Alive – ment plan focuses on the revitalization of the In the vision, it states: Fortress of Louisbourg waterfront, to reflect an authentic view of the Fortress, as well as to “ Like the site itself, the harbour is very provide opportunities for visitors to experience much alive, with boats shuttling vis- this magnificent harbour. itors between the modern town and the historic site, and fishermen going about their business as they have for more than two centuries.” Fortress of Louisbourg, Wolfe’s Landing and ix Royal Battery National Historic Sites of Canada Management Plan Table of Contents Foreword ....................................................................................................... iii Recommendations ........................................................................................ v Executive Summary: .....................................................................................vii 1.0 Introduction ........................................................................................ 1 1.1 Overview of the Management Planning Process ................................. 1 1.2 Legislative and Policy Basis for Management Planning ...................... 2 1.3 Planning According to Parks Canada’s Mandate ................................ 2 2.0 Importance of the National Historic Sites ....................................... 5 Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site of Canada .................... 5 Wolfe’s Landing National Historic Site of Canada ............................... 6 Royal Battery National Historic Site of Canada ................................... 8 2.1 Designation History of the Fortress of Louisbourg .............................. 9 2.2 Regional Setting ................................................................................... 9 2.3 Other Heritage Values ........................................................................ 11 3.0 Current Context ................................................................................ 15 3.1 Heritage Resources Conservation ....................................................