I would like to congratulate the Explorer for doing an outstanding job of welcoming visitors to the Annapolis Royal area for 24 years. I hope you enjoy the natural beauty, cultural richness and historic uniqueness as much as your predecessors who came to Annapolis Royal to explore and often returned to raise a family or retire. Enjoy your visit and please come again. Sincerely, Stephen McNeil, MLA Annapolis Premier Nova Scotia Stephen McNeil, MLA ANNAPOLIS Constituency Office 291 Marshall Street, Suite 2 P.O. Box 1420 Middleton, NS B0S 1P0 Phone: 902-825-2093 Toll-free: 1-800-317-8533 Fax: 902-825-6306 [email protected] www.stephenmcneil.com Strolling Through the Centuries since 1995 IN THIS ISSUE VIDEO Travel with Bay Ferries 2 Premier’s Welcome 3 Tours, Tapestry & Location Map 5 Editor’s Welcome 6 Annapolis Royal Fun & Fundy Rose 7 Festivals & Special Events 8 Eco-Tourism Adventures 10 History & Naming of the Area 11 Mayor’s Welcome 13 Design Destination 13 Warden’s Welcome 14 Things to See & Do 14 Map of Business Locations 17 Map of Area Attractions 18 Map of Walking Trails & Recreation 20 Champlain’s Cheer Trail 21 Andrew Tolson Andrew Tolson Artists’ Studios Tour 22 Explore the “Fun”dy Coast 23 More Special Events 24 Member of Parliament’s Welcome 25 VIDEO Business Directory 26 Area Map & Scenic Drives 28 Historic & Scenic Circle Tour 29 Fun for All Seasons 30 Upper Clements Parks 31 Historic Gardens 31 Cradle of Our Nation 32 Published by Explorer Communications Durline Melanson Alan Melanson Editor Historian Don & Jeannie Allen, Peter Wyman Explorer Consultants Primary Contributing Photographers Trish Fry/Historic Gardens Dan Froese, Scott Munn, Ron Garnett and Chris Reardon/Parks Canada Andrew Fraser Tolson, www.paulillsley.com Natal Days Encampment (Melanson) Deb Ryan/Annapolis County Recreation Wally Hayes/Nova Scotia Tourism As you read the 2018 EXPLORER VISITORS GUIDE, be on the lookout Alan Melanson/Tour Annapolis Royal VIDEO for this Video Symbol on some of the photos. When you discover one, Partner with Us! click on it and Explore Annapolis Royal! Ph: (902) 532-3035, Fax: 532-2911 [email protected] www.ExploreAnnapolisRoyal.com www.ExploreAnnapolisRoyal.com www.annapolisroyal.com No portion of this publication may be reproduced or duplicated without the written permission of the Explorer. Contents © Copyright 2018. The unique Fort Anne Heritage Tapestry, designed by Kiyoko Sago, was stitched by over 100 volunteers. Fort Anne Tapestry How Do I Get To Annapolis Royal? Fort Anne’s Heritage Tapestry depicts 4 centuries of history in Annapolis three million delicate needlepoint Royal stitches out of 95 colours of wool. It MAD HATTER BOOKSTORE measures about 18’ in length and 8’ in height and was a labor of love over 4 years in the making. It is a Digby work of immense proportions, but Halifax Annapolis Royal is a community with an epic story to relate. Yarmouth NOVA SCOTIA Candlelight Graveyard Tour ANNAPOLIS ROYAL IS CONVENIENTLY LOCATED TM #1 Tour Don’t miss Annapolis Royal’s The Cat Ferry in Yarmouth 90 Minutes Candlelight Tours of Nova Scotia’s Fundy Rose Ferry in Digby 35 Minutes oldest English graveyard – one of Halifax International Airport 120 Minutes Canada’s most popular tours! Kejimkujik National Park & NHS 45 Minutes Winner of TIANS’ Golden Hospitality Award and recommended Phone: 902-532-2043, Fax: 902-532-7443 by The New York Times, MacLean’s www.annapolisroyal.com Magazine and CBC Radio & TV, this tour has been enjoyed by thousands, including Prime Minister Paul Martin. Seven nights a week July through Your Year ‘Round, 24/7 Oct. 15, plus every Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday in June. INFORMATION DESTINATION Tour always starts at 9:30 pm (rain for the Annapolis Royal Area since 1995! or shine). Meet at the parking lot of CELEBRATINGCELEBRATING Fort Anne. Proudly sponsored since Follow 1992 by The Historical Association Us! of Annapolis Royal. $10 for adults, Explorer Guide ExplorerGuide 2727 YEARS!YEARS! $5 youth (13-18), $3 children (12 & www.ExploreAnnapolisRoyal.com under). No reservations. 532-3035, Andrew Tolson Andrew Tolson www.TourAnnapolisRoyal.com Cover Photos: Aerial: Andrew Tolson; Parks Canada: Chris Reardon, Dan Froese; Alan Melanson Cradle of Our Nation Tour, Nat’l Historic District Annapolis Royal is located in Mi'kma'ki, the ancestral lands of the Mi’kmaq who have been in the area for thousands of years. Settled by the French in 1605, 2 years before Jamestown, 3 years before the founding of Quebec and 15 years before Pilgrims landed, Annapolis Royal, the cradle of our nation, is also one of the oldest permanent European settlements in North America. This colourful area has a nationally significant story to tell. Join Candlelight Graveyard Tour’s Alan Melanson for a Stroll Through the Centuries in one of Canada’s largest National Historic Districts. Departs Lighthouse at 2 pm every Mon., Wed. & Thurs., late- June thru early-Sept. $10 Adults, $5 (13-18), $3 (12 & Under) 532-3035, www.TourAnnapolisRoyal.com Fancy Jewellers The Historical Association was Annapolis/ Digby recognized as one of Canada’s Top Ten Organizations for the preservation and presentation of heritage by Prime Minister Jean Chrétien. VIDEO Annapolis Royal from Granville Ferry (Melanson) he colourful Annapolis Royal/Port-Royal Area is located in Mi’kmaqi, the ancestral lands of the Mi’qmaq who have been here for thousands of years. One of the oldest permanent European settlements in North America, the area has been welcoming visitors since 1604. In fact the Order of Good Cheer, North America’s first social club, was started here in 1606. The same attributes that Champlain saw over 400 years ago continue to make this a “must see” destination for discerning travelers. Although quite safe and peaceful today, Annapolis Royal holds the distinction of being the most fought over tract of land in Canada. With over 130 registered heritage properties and 4 National Historic Sites, picturesque Annapolis Royal is one of ~ Canada’s Roots Imagine over four centuries of history coming to life before your very eyes. The Mi’kmaq, Scottish, French, British, Acadian, Loyalist, New England Planter and African Canadian cultures intertwined to form a colourful mosaic unparalleled in the nation. Canada’s roots are deep here. The area served as colonial capital for both the French and British before Louisbourg and Halifax. Even our province’s name, Nova Scotia, (Latin for “New Scotland”) is attributed to the Scottish attempt to colonize our area (1621-1632). The Scots also gave us our Nova Scotia Flag and Coat of Arms and built Charles Fort on the grounds where Fort Anne is located today. The rich Acadian (“ Cajun”) story also started here when French families settled on our scenic shores in the 1630s. The Annapolis Royal/Port-Royal Area is known as the cradle of Acadie, and there are over 3,000,000 Acadian descendants worldwide. ~ The Best of Both Worlds Combine the rich, cultural heritage with access to the world-famous Bay of Fundy only 10 minutes away, and you’ll discover an Explorer’s paradise! Eco-tourism adventures abound amidst spectacular scenery, gardens, lakes, rivers, wilderness trails and a moderate climate tempered by the Gulf Stream. The region is also 1 of only 18 UNESCO Biosphere Reserves in Canada in recognition of its globally significant ecological and cultural landscape and commitment to sustainable development and conservation. Escape into nature, relax, and invigorate your body, mind and soul. Whether you prefer petals, pedals or paddles, are a history buff or nature lover, the Annapolis Royal Area offers the best of both worlds and a bouquet of adventures for all ages. ~ Award-Winning Hospitality & Amenities Let the EXPLORER Visitors Guide introduce you to award-winning accommodations, unique shopping experiences, an array of artists and craftsmen, delightful dining, colourful gardens and art galleries, interesting museums, lively theatre, waterfront boardwalk, a multitude of fun-filled tours and attractions plus stately homes set amidst scenic vistas. Home of Canada’s 2015 Garden of the Year, designated as one of the “Cultural Capitals of Canada” and winner of the “World’s Most Liveable Small Community” (endorsed by the United Nations), Annapolis Royal has won numerous Provincial, National and International “Communities in Bloom” awards and was named by MacLeans’ Magazine as 1 of the” 10 Places You’ve Got to See in Canada in 2014”. Come explore Annapolis Royal and let your spirit soar. What are you waiting for? After all.....“Good Cheer” started here. Sincerely, Durline Melanson, Editor VIDEO self-appointed policewoman along the waterfront. The Historical Association of Annapolis Royal has nominated Rose for recognition by the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada, and she is the subject of the play Fortune by New York playwright George Cameron Grant. You can learn more about the inspirational Rose Fortune when visiting Annapolis Royal by taking one of Alan Melanson’s Candlelight Graveyard Tours at Fort Anne National Historic Site. There are three ways to reach Bay Ferries’ MV Fundy Rose Nova Scotia by boat: The Cat is named after the world-famous with service from Portland, Bay of Fundy which she crosses Maine to Yarmouth, NS; the daily from St. John, NB to Holiday Isle from Wood Islands, Digby, NS and in honour of Rose PEI to Caribou, NS; and the Fortune – a Loyalist who came Fundy Rose from St. John, NB to Annapolis Royal after the War to Digby, NS. To plan your of American Independence and memorable Maritime adventure transported goods with a contact Bay Ferries at 1-877- wheelbarrow while serving as 762-7245, www.ferries.ca Seeking a scenic spot to start Colourful shops, boardwalk, scenic your new life together or looking vistas, special restaurants, gracious for an ideal retirement community? hospitality, unique accommodations, Searching for a romantic area to amenities, recreation and attractions propose, get married or honeymoon? galore create an Explorer’s paradise.