History

Tantramar through time: A storied landscape

The Tantramar region carries a history as dynamic as its famous marshes. This land has been home to Indigenous peoples for generations, a centre of Acadian settlement, a site of British expansion, and today, a thriving community. Each chapter has left a lasting mark on the people, culture, and landscape that define the region.

Land of the Mi’kmaq

Long before European settlers arrived, the Mi’kmaq called this region home. They thrived in Tantramar’s coastal environment, fishing, hunting, and traveling the waterways that connected their communities. For the Mi’kmaq, these lands were rich with resources and history.

The Acadian story

In the 17th and 18th centuries, French Acadians established settlements across the Tantramar marshes. They were skilled agriculturalists, building dikes to create fertile farmland from the tidal wetlands. But their peaceful existence was shattered in 1755 with the Expulsion of the Acadians, when British forces forcibly removed them from their homes. Many were scattered across North America, though their influence remains woven into the region’s identity today.

British rule and the rise of Sackville

Following the Acadian expulsion, British and New England settlers moved into the region, including Yorkshire immigrants from England. They built towns, farms, and trade routes, leading to the establishment of Sackville as a key shipbuilding and commercial hub in the 19th century. The arrival of Mount Allison University in 1839 further cemented the town’s role as a centre of education and culture.

The marshlands and the railway boom

The vast Tantramar Marshes have always shaped life in the region. Once a challenge for settlers, they became an asset as farmers learned to work with the land, rather than against it. The construction of the Intercolonial Railway in the 1870s turned Sackville into a transportation hub, boosting industry and making it a gateway between Nova Scotia and the rest of Canada.

A changing landscape

By the 20th century, Tantramar had evolved from an agricultural and industrial region into a thriving cultural and academic community. The founding of CHMA radio, the growth of Mount Allison, and the preservation of the marshlands for conservation all reflect a deep commitment to heritage, learning, and environmental stewardship.

Tantramar today

The modern municipality of Tantramar, formed through the 2023 amalgamation of Sackville, Dorchester, and surrounding communities, continues to balance history with progress. Its rich past is evident in its historic buildings, vibrant arts scene, and deep ties to the land. From its Mi’kmaq roots to its Acadian and British heritage, Tantramar remains a place where history isn’t just remembered—it’s lived every day.