Wilson's Point Historic Site
At the point where the North and South Branches of the Miramichi River converge lies the nationally recognized and protected heritage site with a panoramic view. Make your way to the end of the Enclosure Road where you will find a hidden little gem in the form of Wilson’s Point Historic Site. The Earliest English speaking settlers (Scottish) who arrived in 1765 lived, socialized, did business and were buried here. Their history is lovingly preserved by The Scottish Heritage Association Miramichi who have restored the original grave sites including that of founding father William Davidson, the historic walking trails, installed a wharf, trading post and built an interpretive center. Wilson's Point Historic Point not only contains the Scottish Ancestry of the river, but also has great archeological significance and deep rooted connections to the Mi'kmaq peoples, as well as, the French, Acadians and Loyalists who have all helped establish the rich history of this beautiful river region dating well beyond three thousand years.
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Opening Day Monday June 19th- Closing Saturday October 21st
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We can’t forget our Acadian connection at the Point this review was taken from the storytellers-conteurs website. It looks like a very interesting read.
Acadian Christmas Traditions by Georges Arsenault. Acorn Press 2007 ISBN-10: 1894838262;ISBN-13: 978-1894838269
A highly respected and loved member of the PEI Acadian community,author Georges Arsenault has written other books of Acadian lore and stories. Translated by Sally Ross from the French, Acadian Christmas Traditions first appeared as Noel en Acadie, published by éditions La Grande Marée of Tracadie Sheila, NB in 2005.
Arsenault has the happy ability to convey lots of scholarly information and details in a refreshingly unscholarly and personal manner. This book is an easy read, like having a conversation with a knowledgeable and friendly person. His interest in the history of Christmas comes from his mother. She told him the story that St Nicholas was not a wealthy man when she was growing up, he was only able to bring her an apple or an orange or maybe a little pencil box. In this tiny story, we understand the simplicity of the old Christmas customs and the deeply personal relationship people had with Saint Nicholas.
About Acadian Christmas customs before Le Grand Derangement of 1755, very little is known. Celebrations were simple, with some merchants even keeping their shops open on Christmas. Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve was the big event.
Various foods were, and still are, associated with Christmas:
naulet was a large biscuit, shaped like a little man and given to children by their godparents. Predeportation Acadians probably also made croque-cignole, a doughnut-like deep fried pastry. And, of course, pork pies.
I have long been interested in the early French carols sung in Canada. The early Acadians sang “Dans cette étable” and “Ca, bergeres, assemblonsnous.” And“Il Est Né Le Divin Enfant.” These carols are still loved and sung today.
The old belief that animals talk on Christmas Eve at midnight was widespread among the Acadians. You were not supposed to try to hear them; if you did, you would hear them talking about your death.
A fellow had a team of oxen. At midnight on Christmas Eve, he went to their barn to see if it was true that animals talked or knelt or anything like that. He heard one ox say to the other: “What are you doing tomorrow?”
The other replied: “I’m going to take one of my masters to be buried.”
The fellow had no idea who was going to die. During the night, he died and the ox took him to be buried.
Michel Doiron, Pointe-Sapin, NB
After Deportation, new traditions gradually took shape. Spiritual and secular preparations took place during Advent, the Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, the Crèche, the Réveillon, how Saint Nicholas became Santa Claus and how Santa Claus became Père Noël.
Réveillon is a leisurely dinner, and possibly party, held on the evenings preceding Christmas Day and New Year’s Day; name comes from réveil meaning waking
because participation involves staying awake until midnight and beyond. Ed.)
And Christmas today? The older generation who lived in the days when a single orange constituted a luxury would agree with Johnny Boudreau of Petit-Rocher, New Brunswick: “Nowadays, it is Christmas all year round.”
The book is enchanting. Dedicated to the late, legendary Father Anselme Chiasson, this book should sit on any storyteller’s bookshelf, especially any storyteller with an interest in Canada and Christmas. Kudos to Georges Arsenault and to Laurie Brinklow, the heart and soul of the amazing Acorn Press.
Lorne Brown, Toronto
This review. Originally in Le raconteur Vol 12:02, P. 30 Winter 2008
Holly Folklore
Holly is sacred in multiple religion around the world infact some say the jagged leaves symbolize the crown of thorns that Jesus wore at his crucifixion and the berries his blood.
In many Celtic-based traditions of neopaganism, there is the enduring legend of the battle between the Oak King and the Holly King.These two mighty rulers fight for supremacy as the Wheel of the Year turns each season. At the Winter Solstice, or Yule, the Oak Kingconquers the Holly King, and then reigns until Midsummer, or Litha. Once the Summer Solstice arrives, the Holly King returns to do battle with the old king, and defeats him.
In the legends of some belief systems, the dates of these events are shifted; the battle takes place at the Equinoxes, so that the Oak King is at his strongest during Midsummer, or Litha, and the Holly King is dominant during Yule. From a folkloric and agricultural standpoint, this interpretation seems to make more sense.
Holly was considered a protective force against evil.
Many prickly or thorny species were considered protective due to the fact that it was believed that evil thought forms or spirits would be caught up in their branches or unable to pass through the tree.
In Ireland the holly was called the "gentle tree" and the favourite tree of the fairies.
Holly Leaves of a female holly would be placed under the pillow to foresee the future in dreams.
At the Winter Solstice, and later on in time at Hogmanay people would decorate their homes with Holly branches to protect them from fairy mischief. It was considered OK to ask permission to take some cuttings from the tree as long as an offering of some sort was made (for example, leaving a piece of silver at the roots of the tree) but it was considered desperately unlucky to actually fell the tree.
People would also plant Holly around their homes where they would not only act as hedgerows but also protect the home and animals from ill luck or evil.
Many a holly tree was spared the woodman's axe in days gone by because of a superstition that it was unlucky to cut one down.
This belief probably arose because of the tree's evergreen leaves and long lasting berries, leaving people to associate holly with eternity and the power to ward off evil and destruction.
The Holly was also considered a powerful tree due to the fact that it was an evergreen and could withstand the onslaught of the cold winter months.
The word Holly means holy and the Holly tree was considered sacred to the waxing year, or winter. The Holly Tree ruled in duality with the Oak tree, who ruled over the waning half of the year, or summer.
Holly Wreaths
In old England, unmarried women would tie a sprig of holly or ivy to their beds to protect them from ghosts and evil spirits. It was believed that supernatural creatures were more active at Christmas time due to the loud screaming winter winds and the creaks caused by strong storms, and it was thought that the holly and the ivy had magical powers of protection. Since the holly and the ivy were protectors of women during pagan times, they were forbidden to appear inside the Christian home. For this reason, it was used to decorate the outside of the home, still serving to protect the home from evil spirits.
The prickly thorns found on the holly took on the symbol of the crown of thorns that Jesus Christ wore during his crucifixion.
Some Christians believe that the holly berries were originally white, and that as Jesus Christ bled during his crucifixion, his blood colored the berries red. The green leaves of the holly plant represent the story his life while the red berries tell the story of his death. The circular shape of the wreath is a symbol that Christ has died, Christ has risen, and Christ will come again, a circular philosophy of life.
In British culture, many traditions incorporate the Christmas wreath during the Advent season. Advent is a word derived from "adventus", the Latin word for arrival. It is the period of anticipation for the arrival of Christmas. In preparation, the wreath is laid flat on a church table top, with four candles (traditionally red) standing in a circular shape about the wreath. Each candle represents one of the four Sundays in Advent, with a fifth candle positioned in the center (traditionally white). The red Advent candles are lit every Sunday leading up to Christmas as a visual countdown. The white Advent candle is lit on Christmas Day.
Taken from the intermistletoe co uk website
UPCOMING EVENTS
Workshop Wednesdays
Summer Concert Series
Haunted Graveyard Walk
Old Fashioned Family Picnic
The Great Miramichi Haggis Hunt
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The Grounds
Open Sunday - Saturday 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Safety measures for Covid-19 are in place.
Under a canopy of 300 year old pines you will find a replica of the St. James Presbyterian Church that once stood on the grounds from 1790-1838 and was considered the "Westminster Abbey" of the Miramichi. The is replica houses the interpretive where knowledgeable tours guide are staffed from daily from mid June- late October. The grounds are open year round and offer over 6km of newly restored walking and cycling trails, that are often utilized in the winter with snow shoes and skis. The area has a vast ecological environment and is home a large variety of stunning wildlife including bald eagles. You will also find a log trading post that has farming and lumbering implements on display, a historical cemetery dating back to 1781 where many of the first settlers are laid to rest and you can access the beautiful boat dock and unsupervised beach easily with two separate stairways. There are out door washrooms and plenty of picnic areas to enjoy an afternoon with the entire family. Stunning views, history galore and so much more awaits.
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