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Post by Deleted on May 10, 2011 12:32:36 GMT
In the Fall of last year I paid a visit to a local tourist attraction called Kings Landing. Situated on the banks of the magnificent St. John River, Kings Landing Historical Settlement vibrantly re-creates rural life in 19th century New Brunswick. The settlement was created when the Mactaquac Dam was constructed in the late 1960's. As many historic homes were threatened by the rising water level, (the water rose to over 150 feet above ground), it was decided that some of them should be saved. Buildings were moved to what is now Kings Landing and were restored. All but four are originals. Throughout the village, costumed staff work diligently to accurately interpret a most important era in Canadian history. I was surprised at just how well each person fit with their surrounding, they were well chosen. I thought it was about time I had a good look around this tourist attraction. People come from far and wide to see it, and I live only down the road and had not explored it as yet. I took lot of photos and thought I would share these on here and write about what I saw. It was a pleasant, even romantic, walk spreading over several acres. I would recommend it to anyone who ever visits or passes through this area. www.kingslanding.nb.ca/english/index.htmquote: Nestled in a majestic setting in the St. John River valley, Kings Landing Historical Settlement depicts the one hundred year transformation of a young colony into a vibrant nation. Listen for creaking wagons pulled by trotting work horses, the whooshing of hoop skirts, and the distant melodies from lively fiddlers and dancing townsfolk. Witness the bustle of farm life, and learn first hand how ordinary people lived and worked in the 19th century. An epic story that’s more than just history, it’s history, well told.
You will find over 70 historic buildings, complete with artifacts, furniture, tools and equipment. The history is real, the stories you hear are true. Staff are thoroughly trained and immersed in the 19th century to provide you, the visitor, with an authentic visit to New Brunswick in the 1800s.
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Post by Deleted on May 10, 2011 12:33:17 GMT
What is Kings Landing? 'Kings Landing grew out of the massive Mactaquac Dam Project which began in the 1960s. The New Brunswick government, in an attempt to meet rising demands for electric energy, decided to build a dam across the St. John River at Mactaquac and create a headpond that would extend 100 kilometres up river to Woodstock. It was obvious that the flooding of the Valley would disrupt long established communities and farms on the banks of the St. John River. The first settlers used the river as a highway and therefore built their homes along its banks. Any trace of these original settlements would be wiped out by the ensuing flood. So a new “settlement” was created by moving historically and architecturally significant buildings out of the flood plain to what is now Kings Landing. Over the course of a number of years, they were restored to their original time periods and appropriately furnished. The purpose of Kings Landing Historical Settlement is to represent life in the central St. John River Valley throughout the 19th century. During our summer season we represent the transition from the Loyalists to the late Victorians in the time period 1780s to 1910. The key elements of our outdoor museum work together to tell this history. The landscape and buildings reflect the relationship between people and their natural environment. With each building restored to a specific date, the artifacts are seen in context. The buildings and artifacts are displayed as they should be, in direct relationship with the people of our past. At Kings Landing we take great pride in the authenticity of our restorations and the way we interpret the evolution of family and community life along the banks of the St. John River. The period we represent was a time of dramatic growth and change for New Brunswick. The Loyalists laid the foundation of the province’s economic and social structures, and built settlements along most of the principal river valleys. By the turn of the century lumbering and timber exports drove the provincial economy and made commercial centres of Saint John, St. Andrews, Newcastle and Chatham. Who were the Loyalists? They were refugees from the American Revolution who had courageously and steadfastly held to their beliefs in the face of overwhelming opposition. They came from each of the Thirteen Colonies and from all walks of life. At war’s end many Loyalists had their homes confiscated and were declared public enemies. They dared not return home. They had given their all to a cause and lost. Seeing the seriousness of their circumstances the British government granted them land in the colonies of Canada, Nova Scotia and Bermuda. Thousands of Loyalists landed at the mouth of St. John River in the spring and fall of 1783. New Brunswick was then part of Nova Scotia, and only became a separate colony in 1784. They were a mixed group. They definitely were not, as some have claimed, all from well to do families. Rather they were a broad sweep of Americans at that time, including a few wealthy families, many craftsmen and farmers and even some slaves. Most were ordinary people who made an extraordinary decision. Whatever their background, they all faced a future of struggle and hard work. The first few years were very hard years for many of the Loyalists. The British government supplied seeds, farming tools and food. Some who arrived in the late autumn of 1783 spent their first New Brunswick winter in a tent. For some the hardships proved too much and they gave up and returned to the United States or even to England. Still others found that their lands were not productive and moved to new grants. By the late 1780s their farms were productive, their shops bustling as the Loyalists made lives for themselves in their new homeland. During the 1800s thousands of Scottish, Irish and English settlers immigrated to the province and opened up the backwoods. As Queen Victoria came to the throne, New Brunswick craftsmen were known for their furniture, silver, cloth and manufactured products. Farms, well established for several decades, prospered and the prospect of railroads buoyed the hopes of the factories as they entered Confederation. Steamships, railroads and telegraph lines linked them to the rest of the Dominion and the world. This story of evolution is told from the personal level of the families who lived and worked along the banks of the St. John River over 100 years ago. Kings Landing is a place where over 100 years of New Brunswick’s history and culture comes to life. This is the 19th century. It is a place where you can touch, taste, hear, see and truly experience the 1800s. It is more than just history, it’s history well told.' A birds eye view of part of the village:
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Post by Deleted on May 10, 2011 12:33:52 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 10, 2011 12:36:34 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 10, 2011 12:37:25 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 10, 2011 12:38:27 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 10, 2011 12:39:19 GMT
C.B Ross Sash & Door Factory - 1915 - Charles Ross owned a sash and door factory in Blackville, which made windows, doors and trim or order, and was one of the principal house builders in the area. The factory clearly reflects the mechanization of woodworking which had taken place by the beginning of the 20th century. Since I only had 2 and half hours to see this whole village, (I had a lot to do that day). I didn't take as many photos as I would have like to, but just to give you an idea. Inside:
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Post by Deleted on May 10, 2011 12:39:58 GMT
James Gordon House - 1835 - James Gordon was a black carpenter and squatter who built his small home on land that he did not own. Like many local black families in this era they built their home a distance from the community. The house very small in deed. In fact it was all just one large room: By the front door - The fire place:
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Post by Deleted on May 10, 2011 12:40:36 GMT
Joslin Farm - 1860 - Andrew Joslin, a Loyalist from Rhode Island, built this farm in 1790. In 1860 his son William expanded his property into a well-established Victorian farm with a variety of livestock, field crops, gardens, barns, sheds and equipment. I enjoyed looking through this farm, it was so well made with everything just where it should be. Including the little outhouse! I was impressed that everything was done to try and re-create the farm and land just as they would have been back then. The crops are all grown on the land and real farm animals live in the stalls of the farm. The house with the shed or storage area to one side: As we enter the front door: Inside: Dinning room: A small room holding with a sword on the table: On the way out to the storage area/shed. Many herbs, fruits and vegetables are hung up to dry and so are preserved in this way to be used at a later date: The things that would be stored just outside, but still under shelter: The outhouse: Just outside the cattle barn: Inside the barn: And some empty stalls:
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Post by Deleted on May 10, 2011 12:41:44 GMT
Jones House - 1830 - Thomas Jones, a prominent justice of the peace and farmer, built this fine house for his new bridge in 1828. Typical of many St. John River Valley homes, it is built into the side of a hill. It is furnished with Colonial American objects as well as some fine New Brunswick made furniture: A bedroom, with what looks like a spinning wheel, notice the chamber pot just under the bed: And of course fire-places: This one was a little different in that it had an inside well. I was told that this was because the man who owned the house was more well-to-do than the average person, and so he could afford this convenience. I found the Well fascinating, when I looked down I could see the water way down below. The well was located to one side in the kitchen, and a bucket would have been used to bring the water up: Perhaps this is where the Justice of Peace did all his paperwork?: And then sat down for some tea? We climbed up some very steep, tight steps to the attic. I wondered why there were two mattresses on the floor? Would this have been where the maid or servants would have slept? It was very dark and gloomy up there: Finally stepping out into the sunshine again and over the bridge: The view from the bridge: A horse driven cart, I wanted to ride on it. But it was not to be. Due to the fact, that later on, an ambulance had to be called for someone, and the horse and cart were pulled off the road.
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Post by Deleted on May 10, 2011 12:42:33 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 10, 2011 12:43:13 GMT
Chickens, these would probably have been sold for meat: Sheep: hmmm...I wonder who this scarecrow is supposed to be scaring?
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Post by Deleted on May 10, 2011 12:43:59 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 10, 2011 12:44:39 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 10, 2011 12:45:23 GMT
Long House - 1845 - Abraham Long Jr. built this home into the side of a hill and used the cellar as a kitchen . He worked the land and was part owner of a sawmill: I saw these in many gardens there, used for vines maybe? The garden in the back:
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Post by Deleted on May 10, 2011 12:46:21 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 10, 2011 12:47:07 GMT
Parish School - 1840 - a typical one-room schoolhouse where children received a basic education:
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Post by Deleted on May 10, 2011 12:47:50 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 10, 2011 12:48:31 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 10, 2011 12:49:35 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 10, 2011 12:50:31 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 10, 2011 12:51:12 GMT
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Post by bjd on May 10, 2011 14:38:20 GMT
This is much bigger than a similar place within Toronto -- Black Creek Pioneer Village. Is there a town around there or is it just this historical reconstruction?
The countryside looks beautiful at the time you were there, but I imagine it must have been hard and cold to live in places like that in the winter -- going outside to the well for water, small wood-burning stoves for heat. Although, I guess people were used to it.
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Post by mich64 on May 10, 2011 15:54:04 GMT
Wow Deyana what an amazing photo essay! You must have really enjoyed those 2 and a half hours. It is amazing that they maintain this village as I would think the admission charge and sales likely can not cover all the costs to keep this operation continue, the Province hopefully provides grants or perhaps they own it?
So many of the photos reminded me of my nana's home in rural Nova Scotia. She did not have any power, had an outhouse, did not have a phone and had a huge iron stove in the kitchen. She was the Post-Mistress of her county and each day would walk the mile or so to her little building near the church and general store and sort the mail. I would go with her when we visited and sit on her knee and she would let me stamp over the stamps of the letters brought in to post out.
She had a huge garden, a creek, and a well outside of her home and of course the outhouse. When we visited we got to use the chamber pot during the night as we were afraid there might be a skunk outside. So many happy memories I am having right now Deyana, thank you for evoking them with your essay. Cheers, Mich
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Post by bixaorellana on May 10, 2011 16:26:36 GMT
Very interesting. I like the way the furniture for each house seems to be appropriate for the era the house was built.
I'm wondering about the livestock. The horns on the cattle and the fact that the pig and geese are not pink or white make me wonder if these might be older varieties of the animals.
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Post by Deleted on May 11, 2011 1:31:57 GMT
Thanks, ladies. bjd, there are various villages around the area, but Kings Landing is quite by it self, although only about 15 mins or so from Fredericton, (The Capital). Yep, the country side is very pretty around here, but you are right in that the winters are hard, and must have been doubly hard back in the days when they had to go out to fetch water from an outside well. mich, I'm not entirely sure, but I think the province must help out with the cost of the running of Kings Landing. Although there are many tourists each year. I'm glad that it bought back some good memories for you. When we first moved to the UK, we also used to have an outhouse! Bixa, I'm not really sure about the livestock, they have some there, but not a lot really. Mostly just for show I'm sure. I wonder if they are an older variety? maybe someone else knows? I could try and find out, I'm curious now.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 27, 2013 21:26:23 GMT
Was it really 3 years ago I last went to see Kings Landing? I'll be there again tomorrow. I didn't get to see it all the last time around, this time I'll be taking my two youngest boys with me, they haven't been there before. We're promised a nice sunny day, am really looking forward to it. The trees are turning a beautiful rustic again, really want to try out my new camera. Will post more photos of what I see tomorrow
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Post by Deleted on Sept 29, 2013 20:41:56 GMT
So three years have gone by. And I thought it was about time we went back to see Kings Landing again. The last time I went with my boyfriend, this time I took two of my sons with me. My middle boy found it kind of interesting, my youngest boy.. um.. well.. he said it was boring. Oh well. If you would like to know more about Kings Landing - Link: kingslanding.nb.ca/So, I had my new camera at the ready! I've been wanting to try it out and this was an excellent opportunity to do so. Especially considering that I'll be taking the photos of some of the same objects, it would be interesting to see how the quality of these photos differ from the ones already on this page. So here goes: The entrance: Before we enter the village, we have a quick look at the display in the entrance of the main building. This coffin seemed so small, were people just tiner in those days? hmm... okay a few more adjustments to the settings of the camera were needed methinks. From the bridge - can you just see the little water mill across the way: Kings land does a great job of reconstructing 19th century life - including working farms and farm animals: Joslin Farm - 1860: Drying certain foods and herbs was a good way of preserving them: And in their shed: Jones House - 1830: Thomas Jones, a prominent Justice of the Peace and farmer, built this fine house for his new bride in 1828. The attic held the servants living quarters - as you can see these were all very basic: It was a beautiful sunny day. The St.John river. The pub - 1855: The Kings Head Inn: Lint House - 1830: In the attic - a Weaving machine: Hagerman House - 1880. The house of Alfred and George Hagerman, featuring many modern conveniences of 18080: To one side of the house is the storage area- complete with a butter churn and other equipment used to run a large house. A close up: And a homemade mouse trap: Can you guess what these contraptions may have been used for: The kitchen: Upstairs is a child's bedroom: Bath times must have been fun. We were told that they all bathed in the same water. The man of the house would have his bath first, than the woman (his wife) and lastly the children and the baby. This is where the saying 'don't throw the baby out with the bathwater' came from. We walk along: Printing office - 1890: A reconstruction of the typical 'jobber's shop' where posters, tickets and handbills are printed. This gentleman is showing us how to use a printing press: Gorman Carpenter Shop: This was a very long building housing many kinds of transport. This hearse being one: One of the horses and carts that are supplied for visitors - we would have a ride on this at the end of the day to get back to the main entrance: The Grant Store: Inside the Grant Store: Barony General store. In here we bought cold bottles of water. Everything in here was for sale. Running water for the horses. I saw a few people filling up their water bottles here too: Parish School. A typical one-room schoolhouse where children receive a basic education. I went inside and got told off! The 'teacher' said I was interrupting the class. I felt like I was back in school. I apologized and slowly backed out. My kids, of course, had a laugh at my expense. Everything here is set to be as real as possible and the workers here talk about themselves as if they are indeed the historical people they are portraying. The walk to Killeen Cabin. Irish immigrant Timothy Killeen was required to build the road to his land grant before building his own log cabin. The cabin: Mrs. Killeen's roosters: Their wood shed: Mrs. Killeen. An Irish immigrant telling us about her and (her husband) Timmy's life. They came over from Ireland, to make a better life for themselves. They arrived by boat in St. John and never looked back. The cost of the boat ride to Canada was $2.00. People of Ireland in that day and time were going through some very hard times, many were hungry or starving. Loyalists were promised land and the Killeens received 100 acres. This land was to be paid off by developing the 100 acres within a 5 years period and while this was being done, they had to pay certain amounts in order to purchase it. Heustis House - 1850. This woman is showing us a hand made Spinning wheel and how it to use use it: The gardens behind Ingraham House: And so we waited here to get our horse and cart ride back to the entrance:
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Post by htmb on Sept 29, 2013 21:01:08 GMT
This is a very interesting thread, Deyana. It looks like you had a beautiful day for your most recent visit. What a gorgeous setting, too! Since I believe some of my biological relatives lived in the area from the late 1700's to the beginning of the 20th century, I find it most interesting to see some of the countryside, along with buildings and artifacts.
Your pictures are very nice. Did the camera perform as you had hoped?
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Post by questa on Sept 30, 2013 6:32:28 GMT
deyana...your Kings Landing series of photos are so peaceful and you let them tell their story so well. How did you go with your new camera? Sometimes it helps to take the same pic on different settings and choose which setting does the best (if you can remember it, I usually can't)
You certainly captured the tranquility of the place.
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