Following much popular interest, the highly acclaimed exhibition “Digging into the Past: An Archaeological Discovery in Malpeque Bay” will continue this summer and fall at the Acadian Museum of Prince Edward Island in Miscouche. The exhibition was curated by archaeologist Dr. Helen Kristmanson, provincial Director of Aboriginal Affairs and Archaeology.
The exhibition “Digging into the Past” features the results of archaeological investigations conducted at Pointe-aux-Vieux, a pre-Deportation Acadian site on Malpeque Bay. Excavations uncovered a remnant homestead containing thousands of artifacts related to personal belongings and objects associated with an Acadian family that settled in Malpeque Bay in the early to mid-18th century. These give us a rare glimpse into the daily life of Island Acadians during the pre-Deportation period.
School groups, visitors and all Islanders will be able to enjoy these never-before-seen 18th century artifacts, along with high quality interpretive panels and hands-on interactive stations. Visitors to the exhibit will witness the past through the archaeologist’s eyes and experience how archaeological research has the power to bring the past and present together.
The Acadian Museum of Prince Edward Island, one of the seven sites of Museum and Heritage PEI, is open year round. The exhibition will be on display until October 2015.
Acadian Museum visiting hours are as follows:
Off-season:
Monday to Friday
9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Sunday
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
July and August:
Daily
9:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
For more information, call (902) 432-2880.
Background
“Digging into the Past: An Archaeological Discovery in Malpeque Bay” was produced as part of PEI 2014’s sesquicentennial celebrations.
The Malpeque settlement was founded in 1728 by Pierre Arsenault II, his adult son Charles, and their companion Jean Lambert. Over a period of thirty years, other Acadian families arrived, working together to build a community. By 1752, the Malpeque settlement had grown to include over thirty-two households and over two hundred people. Besides the Arsenaults, the other families who settled this place were the Blanchards, Boudrots, Comeaus, Daigle, DesRoches, Doucets, Dugas, Girouards, Laviolettes, LeBlancs, Martins, Poiriers, and Richards.
The exhibition was sponsored by P.E.I. Museum and Heritage Foundation with the collaboration of the Association of the Acadian Museum. Major funding was provided by PEI 2014 Inc. with a contribution by Canadian Heritage as well as donations by several generous Islanders.
The exhibition was designed and produced by Form:Media (Dartmouth, NS), Skyline Atlantic (Moncton, NB), and Technomedia (Charlottetown, PEI).