Fredericton is not just the capital of New Brunswick, but the province’s intellectual and political center. It has a population of about 85,000, the majority of whom work either for the University of New Brunswick or the provincial government. And it is not surprising that most Frederictonians spend most of their free time planning and attending charity balls, garden parties, and gala dinners. This “City of Stately Elms” is the heartland of the province’s high society, a beautiful arrangement of elegant, tree-lined houses, historic buildings, and excellent art galleries, libraries, and theatres. Not only is Fredericton the cultural center of New Brunswick, but in recent years it has also become a marketplace for crafts where hooked rugs, batiks, enamelwares, potteries, jewelry, pewterwares, and stained glass can be bought. Fredericton, in a sense, is a perfect mixture of creativity ad propriety.[1]
Geographically, Fredericton is comprised of three sections: downtown with its mix of historic and modern buildings, the university district in the south, and the malls and motels along the Trans-Canada Highway. The heart of the city is Queen Street, which runs alongside the St. John River, which can be reached by crossing a pedestrian bridge.[2]
Attractions
Most of the places worth visiting in Fredericton are located in the central part of town around Queen Street. Christ Church Cathedral is one of these attractions. A fine Gothic edifice consecrated in 1853, this cathedral is modeled after the St Mary’s parish church in Snettisham, Norfolk. It has the distinction of being the first cathedral to be built on British soil since the Norman Conquest of 1066. The silver-domed Legislative Building is another 19th century building. Constructed in the 1880s, it is home to one of the rare copies of the original Domesday Book. Across from the Legislative Building, you’ll find the Beaverbrook Art Gallery, which has one of North America’s most impressive art collections. The art gallery’s original building was designed by Lord Beaverbrook himself. He gave the building and his art collection to the people of New Brunswick. The gallery was first opened in 1959. Its collection has expanded considerably over the years and is particularly prized for its array of masterpieces by Brtiish artists. Its most famous art work is the Santiago El Grande by Dali. It is a huge piece that hangs by the gallery’s entrance.[3]
Lord Beaverbrook’s other gift to the city is The Playhouse, which was built in 1964. It is home to the Theatre New Brunswick. The Officers’ Square is also on Queen Street. It is an old parade ground where the lunchtime theatre and free weekly band concerts are held on weekdays during July and August. Between the river and Queen Street, you’ll find a beautifully landscaped and spacious park called The Green.[4]
Outside of town, the King’s Landing is worth a visit. Located about 38 kilometers (or 23 miles) west of Fredericton along the Saint John River and situated on the banks of the river, this reconstructed 19th century Loyalist village has over 50 buildings and 100 “villagers”. Buildings include a working grist mill and sawmill. Villagers go about their daily routine as they would have done back in the 19th century, all the while explaining to visitors what they are doing. At King’s Head Inn, food and drinks typical for that period in history are served. King’s Landing also offers a special tour for children.[5]
Sports and recreational enthusiasts should check out Mactaquac Provincial Park, which is about 25 kilometers (15 miles) west of town along Route 105, off the Trans-Canada Highway. Known as a “superpark”, this 570-hectare (or 1,400 acres) park is the largest in New Brunswick and extends along the north shore of the Mactaquac Dam’s headpond. Pursuits at Mactaquac include sailing, fishing, boating, waterskiing, and swimming at the park’s lovely beaches. Mactaquac also has an 18-hol golf course, more than 300 campsites, dozens of guided nature trails, and a number of supervised playgrounds.[6]
History
As early as 1692, the French built a fort in Fredericton on the site where the St. John River and the Nashwaak River meet. However, it wasn’t until several decades later before they began settling the area. The settlement was called Pointe Ste-Anne and lasted until 1759, when the British drove the French out and renamed it Fredericton after King George II’s second son. When the Loyalists arrived in 1783, Fredericton started gaining the look of a British town. It was the first major inland settlement in North America for the British. The following year, New Brunswick was made a province and Thomas Carleton was named its first governor. Initially, the larger Saint John was the capital of the province. Carleton, however, decided it was too vulnerable to an attack from the sea and moved the provincial capital to Fredericton. The town grew quickly into a prosperous and attractive city, and remains one even today.[7]
How to Get There
Fredericton is served by Air Canada, which links the city with other major Canadian cities. Delta Airlines also offers flights to and from Boston, and Air Transat has a new flight that goes to London, England.[8]
By car, the Trans-Canada Highway passes through Fredericton from both Quebec and Nova Scotia. From Quebec, it enters near Edmunston and follows the Saint John River Valley into Fredericton. From Nova Scotia, it enters New Brunswick via the Isthmus of Chignecto. Coming from Maine, the I-95 enters New Brunswick near Woodstock and connects with the Trans-Canada Highway on its way toward the Saint John River Valley.[9]
References:
Carroll, Donald. Insider’s Guide Canada. Edison: Hunter Publishing, Inc, 1996. ISBN: 1556507100.
[1] Carroll, 287
[2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fredericton#Neighbourhoods
[3] Carroll, 287
[4] Id. at 288
[5] Id. at 288
[6] Id. at 289
[7] Id. at 288
[8] Id. at 291
[9] Id
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