Since 2016, more than fifty-two thousand guests have participated in programming provided by the Friends of Beaubears Island Inc. This year, the doors of the Interpretive Centre open on May 21, for a season full of memorable moments.
Each of our regular daily offerings make use of the Island’s restored historic trails, over 6km of natural routes, which follow the perimeter of the Island and cut through its forested interior. Daily ferry services begin on June 24, providing plenty of access to the tranquil majesty among the sentinel pines. Marvel at the undisturbed splendour of your surroundings, while you walk or jog amidst pristine beauty, or take some time to reflect and look inward, aided by the quiet serenity of your surroundings.
Join a guide for a 45-minute tour of the Island, daily from June 24-Sept 27, and hear the stories of the many communities which called the Island home for centuries. Hear the harrowing story of the Acadian Expulsion, of Camp D’Ésperance, and of the great tragedy that followed. As you look on the last vestiges of the Island’s shipyard, take a moment to step back in time when the sound of auger, saw, and file were heard plainly among the pines.
The 26-foot Voyageur Canoe “Sipu”, and 20-ft “Miramichi” canoe will be on the water daily in July and August, and by prearranged booking in June and September. Experience the river, alongside our trained guides, from the unique vantage of the canoe., or strike out alongside them in a kayak. These three-hour outings speak to the history of riverfront properties, and give a new perspective on the Island, noting geology that dates to 150 million years before the Age of the Dinosaurs, and a unique ecosystem that is home to over 350 different varieties of vascular plants.
Finally, our “Tours Through Time” historic journey makes history come alive daily at 2pm from July 2 – August 23. This year, our characters will take you on a personal journey through the past. Hear the anguished cry of the Acadians, bowed but unbroken in their struggle to survive. Visit with Scottish settler William Davidson, fighting to retain his business interests in the midst of war. Converse with Island residents about the fate of the shipyard, and the vessels that it produced. You can bet that this year, the stories will be so engaging that you might find yourself with a part to play as well.
For more information on tours, and other events during the summer, call the Interpretive Centre at 622-8526 or visit www.beaubearsisland.ca
