Blogger: Phil Neville

Despite an ominous forecast for the day, I woke and spent  my early hours sitting in the gazebo behind the Guest-Lovitt House, our Bed & Breakfast.  Yesterday, I bought a book at the Argyle Court House gift shop entitled, "Historical Sketches of Glenwood and the Argyles" which was written in 1941 and full of interesting recollections of life throughout Yarmouth County.  After a pot of coffee, Susan and I walked down Parade Street to Collins Street where the museum complex was located.  The complex contained, among other things, the Pelton-Fuller House and Yarmouth County Museum and Archives.



Immediately upon entering the museum I was amazed with the enormous space, elegant ceiling and my eyes were drawn to the 3300 lbs Fresnal lens high above the rest of the collection.  I was especially interested in the vast amount of ships' portraits.  There were period rooms dividing the open space and all manner of glass cases filled with artifacts.  We were taken through a number of adjoining rooms, past a Bluenose display and a hallway filled with antique instruments to the research area.  We were warmly met by Jamie Serran, the archivist, whom we've met a few times during the past year.  Jamie was great to work with.  Her youthful exuberance, cheerful nature and professionalism made the whole process exceptionally smooth.



After filming the grounds which included a historic church and converted Victorian home, the Pelton-Fuller House, Jamie took us through a plethora of documents including old chuch records, greetings cards and a collection of photographs by Bob Brooks documenting the polio vacination trails in Wedgeport, 1961.  We finished up by filming the incredible collection of early vehicles in the museum.



We enjoyed a late lunch in Frost Park which sits alongside the waterfront between Main and Water Street.  The park boasts a spectacular three tier fountain.  Luckily after eating, the sky cleared giving us ideal conditions to vist Cape Forchu lighthouse, the iconic symbol of Yarmouth.  The drive there was scenic: we passed beaches, fishing wharfs, and stacks of lobster traps marking the end of the season. Upon arrival at the Cape Forchu light station I could easily see why it was one of the most photographed light houses in Canada.



Jamie recommended that we visit the Yarmouth Mountain Cemetary which was established in 1860.  Of particular interest was the monument of the Hon. Herbert Huntington erected after his death with an epataph written by Joseph Howe.  The grounds was enhanced with magnificent trees and the bells from the Richie Memorial Chapel, could be heard every fifteen minutes.


Afterwards we returned home to the Guest-Lovitt House.  Tomorrow we're off to Pubnico for a truly Acadian experience.