Dorcester: New Brunswick's County

Dorchester is a community in Westmorland County, New Brunswick, Canada. It is located on the eastern side of the mouth of the Memramcook River valley, near the river's discharge point into Shepody Bay. The community was originally incorporated as a town in 1911 and was converted to a village in 1966. Dorchester was named after Guy Carleton, 1st Baron Dorchester, an 18th-century Governor-General of the old Province of Quebec.

Dorchester is a community in Westmorland County, New Brunswick, Canada

Dorchester is an English-speaking community, but it is adjacent to French-speaking Acadian areas further up the Memramcook River valley. The village is known for its historic homes and civic buildings, many of which were built by local lawyer and Master Builder, John Francis Teed.

Dorchester has a rich history in shipbuilding and was once an important shipbuilding centre. During the 19th century, it was also a busy ship port and a centre for the stagecoach. The construction of the Intercolonial Railway between Halifax and Rivière-du-Loup in 1872 transformed the community.

In 2023, Dorchester became part of the new town of Tantramar, along with the town of Sackville and parts of three local service districts. The community's name, however, remains in official use.

Dorchester is also known for its natural features and tourism. The area boasts historic buildings, including the Keillor House Museum, and natural attractions such as the annual shorebird migration to the mud flats of nearby Johnson's Mills.

The village's main employer is the Correctional Service of Canada, which operates a prison complex, including the Dorchester Penitentiary and the Westmorland Institution.

Dorchester was named for Guy Carleton, 1st Baron Dorchester

Dorchester, New Brunswick, was named after Guy Carleton, the 1st Baron Dorchester, an 18th-century Governor-General of the old Province of Quebec.

Guy Carleton was born in 1724 in Strabane, County Tyrone, Ireland, and died in 1808 in Stubbings, Berkshire, England. He was a British Army officer, peer, and colonial administrator. He twice served as Governor of the Province of Quebec, from 1768 to 1778, and concurrently served as Governor General of British North America.

Carleton had a successful military career, becoming a lieutenant colonel in 1757 and taking part in the expedition against Quebec as quartermaster general under General James Wolfe. He was wounded at the Battle of the Plains of Abraham. He was later made colonel in 1762 and took part in the British expedition against Cuba.

Carleton was appointed Lieutenant Governor and Administrator of Quebec in 1766 and became Governor in 1768. He pursued a conciliatory policy toward the French Canadian landowners and clergy, which was confirmed by the British Parliament's enactment of the Quebec Act of 1774. This act postponed the advent of representative government in Quebec but later formed the basis for the French Canadians' political and religious rights.

Carleton also played a significant role in the American Revolutionary War. He commanded British troops in the war, first leading the defence of Quebec during the 1775 rebel invasion and the 1776 counteroffensive that drove the rebels from the province. In 1782 and 1783, he led as the commander-in-chief of all British forces in North America.

In recognition of his contributions, Carleton was knighted in 1776 and created a baron in 1786, becoming the 1st Baron Dorchester. The title was created on August 21, 1786, and he was raised to the Peerage of Great Britain in the same month.

Carleton's legacy includes the Quebec Act, which enabled French laws and customs to survive and flourish in Quebec. This laid the groundwork for the special status that French Canadians have claimed up to the present day. He also promoted economic development, social reform, and the protection and sponsoring of loyalists.

Dorchester, New Brunswick, was likely named after Carleton in honour of his contributions as Governor-General of Quebec.

Dorchester is an English-speaking community, but it is near French-speaking areas

Dorchester is a community in Westmorland County, New Brunswick, Canada. It is an English-speaking community, but it is near French-speaking areas. The community is located on the eastern side of the mouth of the lush Memramcook River valley, near the river's discharge point into Shepody Bay.

Dorchester is adjacent to French-speaking Acadian areas farther up the Memramcook River valley. The river valley is home to a vibrant Acadian community, with a rich cultural heritage and a long history in the region. The Acadians are the descendants of French colonists who first settled in the area in the 17th and 18th centuries. They have preserved their language, culture, and traditions, and many Acadian communities can be found throughout the Maritime provinces, including New Brunswick.

The proximity of Dorchester to these French-speaking areas offers a unique cultural experience. It provides visitors and residents with the opportunity to explore and appreciate the French language and Acadian culture, while still being immersed in the primarily English-speaking environment of Dorchester. This linguistic and cultural diversity is a defining aspect of the region and contributes to its rich history and character.

The Memramcook River valley is known for its natural beauty, with lush landscapes and scenic waterways. The river itself is a popular destination for outdoor activities such as canoeing, kayaking, and fishing. The area also offers a variety of cultural and historical attractions, including museums, art galleries, and historic sites that showcase the rich heritage of both the English-speaking and French-speaking communities in the region.

The mix of English and French influences in the area has contributed to a diverse and vibrant cultural landscape, with a range of culinary traditions, artistic expressions, and community events that reflect the unique blend of languages and heritages. This cultural exchange and mutual appreciation enrich the lives of residents and visitors alike, fostering a sense of community and a deeper understanding of the region's complex history.

Dorchester was once an important shipbuilding centre

Dorchester, New Brunswick, is a community in Westmorland County, Canada. During the 19th century, it was an important shipbuilding centre, along with neighbouring Dorchester Island.

Dorchester's rich natural resources, including the lush Memramcook River valley and the spruce, pine and hackmatack forests, provided the raw materials for shipbuilding. The village was also a busy ship port, with a very fine harbour.

The industry was dominated by three shipbuilding families: the Palmers, the Chapmans, and the Hickmans. The latter were the most prominent, with William Hickman taking over his father's business and building 29 ships. Other notable figures in the industry included Mr Chapman, who was responsible for a large shipbuilding enterprise, and Mr Joseph Hickman, who ran one of the village's three stores.

The ships built in Dorchester were wooden sailing vessels, owned and operated by local investors, and used to carry trade goods around the world. The industry peaked in the mid-19th century, from around 1850 to 1880. During this time, Dorchester's shipbuilding industry, together with those of Sackville and Moncton, made Westmorland County's shipbuilding the third largest in the province, after Saint John and the Miramichi.

Dorchester's shipbuilding prowess, along with its role as a shire town, made it a major stop on the stagecoach lines. The village's social scene was lively, with hotels, taverns, and a village square. The town also had several churches, including Anglican, Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, and Roman Catholic places of worship, which coexisted in a spirit of tolerance and ecumenical harmony.

Dorchester's time as a shipbuilding centre ended with the decline of wooden ships. However, the cultural and social life of the village endured for many decades, sustained by its handsome homes and interesting public buildings.

Dorchester is home to the world's largest sculpture of a sandpiper

Dorchester, New Brunswick, is home to what may be the world's largest sculpture of a sandpiper. The statue, named Shep, is a giant semipalmated sandpiper, standing at 2.4 metres tall and weighing about 135 kilograms. It is perched on the main road in the village, which is located between Moncton and Sackville, not far from the Nova Scotia border.

Shep is an important symbol of resilience and the village's bird-friendly image. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of the area for migratory shorebirds, as the semipalmated sandpiper population has been in decline in Canada and worldwide. The statue is in keeping with Dorchester's location by the ocean and celebrates the annual sandpiper festival held in the community.

The original wooden incarnation of Shep stood tall for nearly 20 years before it began to rot and had to be taken down. Local artist Robin Hanson was then commissioned to craft a more durable version, which he did using steel, epoxy and fibreglass. The new Shep was installed without permission from the municipality, sparking some controversy and uncertainty about its fate. However, the community support for the sculpture was strong, and it remains a beloved local landmark.

Shep is not just a work of art but also a testament to the resilience and conservation efforts of the tiny shorebird it represents. It draws tourists and raises awareness about the semipalmated sandpipers that migrate to the area, making it an important part of Dorchester's culture and economy.

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