People will have an opportunity to discover the province’s past by participating in a public dig on the Museum of Industry’s foundry site in Stellarton, Pictou Co. on Sept. 10 and 11.
“Participants of all ages will be able to join in the dig to help us find artifacts and features,” said Laura deBoer, lead archaeologist. “It’s a very hands-on way to get involved in the history that belongs to all of us as Nova Scotians.”
In partnership with Industrial Heritage Nova Scotia, the museum will uncover the ruins of the foundry over the two days. Under the supervision of archaeologists and with industrial historians on hand to tell the story of the site, the search is on for items from the early 1800s, and more evidence of the foundry building.
“We are a national historic site because of early coal mining here and its importance to Canada’s development,” said Debra McNabb, museum director. “The foundry was a key part of this history.”
Beginning in 1827, the foundry was the beating heart of the earliest large-scale coal mine in Nova Scotia. The technology of working with iron was brought from England to the site to make the items needed to operate a coal mine and to support the miners who lived there.
“The opening of the General Mining Association’s foundry and metal working shop in Stellarton in 1827 began the industrial revolution in Nova Scotia, and had an enormous influence on the next 100 years”, said David Rollinson, chair of Industrial Heritage Nova Scotia. “The dig and the artifacts produced will provide us with a visible link to the site and help us interpret this unique history.”
The digs are free and will start each day at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the foundry site, 147 North Foord St. Registration is limited. To register, contact the museum at 902-755-5425 or industry@novascotia.ca. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Observers are welcome.
For more information, visit https://museumofindustry.novascotia.ca/ .
Source: Release