Dorchester: A New Brunswick Gem

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 where the river discharges into Shepody Bay. The village overlooks the bay and is known for its breathtaking scenery and natural beauty. Dorchester is an English-speaking community, but it borders French-speaking Acadian areas upriver. The village is easily accessible, situated just 15 minutes west of Sackville and 20 minutes east of Moncton.

Dorchester, New Brunswick, Canada

Dorchester is a community in Westmorland County, New Brunswick, Canada. It is a village nestled among forested hills skirting the eastern banks of the Memramcook River at the head of the Bay of Fundy. Dorchester is an English-speaking community, but it is adjacent to French-speaking Acadian areas farther up the Memramcook River valley.

The village is located on the scenic Tantramar loop between Sackville and Memramcook and overlooks Shepody Bay. It is a 15-minute drive west of Sackville and a 20-minute drive east of Moncton. The nearest airport is the Greater Moncton International Airport, about a 40-kilometre drive away in Dieppe.

Dorchester was originally incorporated as a town in 1911 and was converted to a village in 1966. The community was named for Guy Carleton, 1st Baron Dorchester, an 18th-century Governor-General of the old Province of Quebec. The village has a rich history, with several historic homes and civic buildings, many built by local lawyer and master builder John Francis Teed. During the 19th century, Dorchester and neighbouring Dorchester Island were important shipbuilding centres.

Dorchester is home to several notable landmarks and attractions, including the Keillor House Museum, the Bell Inn Restaurant (one of New Brunswick's oldest stone buildings), and the Rocklynn (the former home of Edward Barron Chandler, a Father of Confederation). The village is also known for its annual Sandpiper Festival, celebrating the migration of semipalmated sandpipers to the nearby shores of Johnson's Mills.

In recent years, Dorchester has seen some changes, including the closure of the Dorchester Jail in 1998 and the village courthouse in 1965. The village underwent a governance reform in 2023, amalgamating with the town of Sackville and other local service districts to form the new town of Tantramar. Despite these changes, Dorchester remains a close-knit community with a thriving school, a full-service library, an active recreation program, daycare, parks, and trails.

History and heritage

Dorchester, New Brunswick, has a rich history and heritage that dates back centuries. The village is located on the scenic Tantramar loop between Sackville and Memramcook, overlooking Shepody Bay. The area was first settled by the Micmacs, First Nations people who continue to thrive in the region, operating the Fort Folly Reserve with nearly 100% employment rates. The Fort Folly Reserve is one of the most successful reserves in Eastern Canada, with businesses ranging from dog breeding and blueberry harvesting to internet technology companies.

The first non-native settlers in Dorchester were Acadians who arrived from Nova Scotia in 1691 but were later victims of the Acadian Expulsion of 1755. By the 1770s, many Yorkshiremen had settled in the area, and British Redcoats were claiming lands throughout the eastern British colony. Dorchester soon became one of the ten custom ports of entry in the province, and shipbuilding became a major industry and source of employment. The region's famous wooden ships were built by families such as the Hickmans, Palmers, and Chapmans. The rich soils of the Memramcook marsh also encouraged agricultural trade, producing an abundance of goods for export to growing urban markets.

Dorchester played a significant role in the legal history of the region, with the rebuilding of the Westmorland County courthouse, jail, and public record office in the early 1800s. The village attracted lawyers and litigants, including Edward Barron Chandler, a brilliant lawyer and Father of Confederation. Chandler built his home, Chandler House, also known as Rocklynn, using the area's sandstone. It is now a nationally recognised historic property.

Dorchester was also an important religious centre, with congregations of Anglicans, Methodists, Baptists, Presbyterians, and Roman Catholics worshipping together in a spirit of tolerance and ecumenical harmony. The social scene was lively, with hotels, taverns, and a village square. The village was a major stop on the stagecoach lines, and its shipyards and docks added to its bustling atmosphere.

The construction of the Intercolonial Railway between Halifax and Rivière-du-Loup in 1872 transformed the community. The village also established the Dorchester Light and Fire Company in 1911, now known as the Dorchester Volunteer Fire Department. Despite some setbacks, such as the destruction of the courthouse by arson in 1965, Dorchester has a proud heritage and continues to be a close-knit community with a unique history and natural beauty.

Natural beauty

The village of Dorchester is located on the scenic Tantramar loop between Sackville and Memramcook, overlooking Shepody Bay. It is a place of rich history and natural beauty.

The village is surrounded by breathtaking scenery, from the lush Memramcook River valley to the dramatic coastline of Shepody Bay. The area is known for its natural wonders, including the annual migration of shorebirds to the mudflats of nearby Johnson's Mills. Each year, between mid-July and mid-September, over 80% of the world's Semipalmated Sandpipers flock to the nutrient-rich mudflats, creating a breathtaking spectacle that attracts birdwatchers from around the world.

Dorchester is also home to the World's Largest Sandpiper, a sculpture carved from a single log that stands in the Village Square. The village's two museums, the Keillor House and St. James Presbyterian Church, showcase the area's history and cultural heritage. The nearby Bell Inn, built in 1811, is the oldest stone structure in New Brunswick and was once a stagecoach stop in the 1800s.

The village is nestled among forested hills, with clay roads that are home to many species of songbirds and wildlife such as deer and moose. These roads are ideal for exploring by foot, bicycle, or horseback, offering a quiet and peaceful escape into nature. Dorchester offers a unique blend of history and natural beauty, making it a must-see destination for those exploring southeastern New Brunswick.

Local community

Dorchester, New Brunswick, is a close-knit community that offers a blend of history, scenic beauty, and a thriving local culture. Located on the scenic Tantramar loop between Sackville and Memramcook, the village overlooks the breathtaking Shepody Bay. The area boasts some of the most stunning natural landscapes in New Brunswick, with the lush Memramcook River valley and the Bay of Fundy providing a picturesque backdrop to the village.

Dorchester has a rich historical heritage, dating back to its original residents, the Micmacs, who continue to operate the Fort Folly Reserve, one of Eastern Canada's most successful reserves with nearly 100% employment rates. The First Nations people have established a diverse range of businesses, from dog breeding and blueberry harvesting to Internet technology companies. The village also holds historical significance as one of the ten custom ports of entry in the province during its heyday in the 19th century. Dorchester was a bustling centre for shipbuilding, with renowned shipbuilders like the Palmers, Chapmans, and Hickmans constructing wooden sailing vessels that carried trade goods worldwide. The village's proximity to safe anchorages and abundant natural resources, such as spruce and pine forests, further contributed to the development of shipbuilding and lumbering industries.

The community takes pride in its architectural heritage, with several fine historic homes and civic buildings constructed by local lawyer and Master Builder, John Francis Teed. Dorchester's shire town status and its role as a major overnight stop on stagecoach lines added to its lively social scene. The village's cultural and social life flourished, with congregations of various faiths worshipping in harmony and contributing to a rich cultural landscape. The Keillor House Museum, formerly the home of John Keillor, stands as a testament to the village's historical significance.

In addition to its historical and natural attractions, Dorchester offers a range of amenities and services for its residents. The village has a thriving school, a full-service library, an active recreation program, daycare centres, parks, and trails. The community fosters a welcoming atmosphere, offering the best of both worlds—a close-knit neighbourhood with ample privacy, and easy access to nearby cosmopolitan cities like Moncton and Sackville. Dorchester's location provides a unique blend of rural living and urban conveniences, making it an ideal place for those seeking a balance between nature and city life.

The local community also comes together to celebrate the annual shorebird migration to the mud flats of Johnson's Mills, marked by the presence of an oversized model of a semipalmated sandpiper in the village square. This natural wonder attracts visitors from around the world, showcasing the beauty and ecological significance of Dorchester's beaches.

Transport links

Dorchester, New Brunswick, is located on the eastern side of the mouth of the Memramcook River valley, near the river's discharge point into Shepody Bay. The village is around 40km away from the nearest airport, the Greater Moncton International Airport, which can be found in Dieppe.

The village is situated on the CN Rail main line between Halifax and Montreal, but Dorchester no longer has a passenger station. Travellers must entrain/detrain in Sackville or Moncton.

Dorchester was once a centre for the stagecoach and a busy ship port. The construction of the Intercolonial Railway in 1872 transformed the community, and it became an important shipbuilding centre.

Today, many residents commute to work in the nearby towns of Sackville and Amherst or the cities of Moncton and Dieppe.

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