DesBrisay Museum

06/05/2026

🔍 WHAT’S IN A NAME? A Brook with many titles.

Another glimpse of the upcoming exhibit!
Powered by Water: Stories of the Wile Carding Mill, June 24, 2026

Have you ever wondered about the small stream running by the Wile Carding Mill and its its history? This little body of water has a massive legacy, and a lot of different identities!

Depending on which old map you look at, or which local you talk to, you might hear it called Shandy Brook, Sandy Brook, or Wile Brook. The name "Wile Brook" was a local tribute to Andrew Wile, who bought the surrounding land way back in 1796. ?Then in 1860 Dean Wile built his Carding Mill. Today, the Brooks true name is Sandy Brook!

Where does the water come from? Sandy Brook doesn't flow from a massive lake. Its source begins just northwest of town in the forests and wetlands of Wileville. Fed by springs, this steady watershed flows southeast right into Bridgewater. In the 1800s, this neighborhood was a bustling industrial hub known as Sebastopol, and Sandy Brook was its lifeblood. To power local industry, A dam was built across the brook, creating Whitman Pond. This reservoir held back enough water to create a powerful, steady flow. When released, the water rushed over the massive overshot waterwheel at the Wile Carding Mill,

Don't miss the upcoming exhibition. Explore the rich history of the 1860s Sebastopol district, and discover how Lunenburg county sheep farming fueled early Bridgewater's economy!

When: June 24 to September 26, 2026
Where: 130 Jubilee Road, Bridgewater
Hours :Tuesday to Saturday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Admission: FREE! (Donations appreciated)

06/03/2026

Celebrate National Indigenous History Month with us by honoring a legendary Mi’kmaw artist whose masterpiece lives right here in Bridgewater!

Meet Christianne Morris (c. 1804–1886), a celebrated Mi’kmaw artisan, public figure, and artist’s model. Known for gifting her incredible work to royalty like Queen Victoria. Her greatest surviving achievement is on permanent display at the DesBrisay Museum.

Our collection proudly features her, wooden hooded cradle (Acc. No. 184; X.184), crafted in 1868. It is widely recognized as the largest surviving piece of Mi'kmaw quillwork in existence! Details features traditional Northern Lights and Starfish quilling motifs.

Come visit us this month to see this breathtaking piece of history in person, showcased alongside our permanent collection of stunning Indigenous artifacts.

Let’s honor the legacy of Mi’kmaw together. ❤️

📍130 Jubilee Road, Bridgewater
🕐9 AM - 5 PM Tuesday to Saturday
🆓FREE! Donations appreciated. Donations help fund special projects and contribute to the preservation of our art, artefacts and archives.

06/02/2026

✨ Join Us for "Celebrating Horses" NEXT Thursday! ✨

This incredible photograph from our archives highlights the vital importance of the horse in everyday life across rural Nova Scotia. From working the land to providing essential transportation, horses truly shaped our communities. (Acc. No. 84.15.38, circa 1900. )

To learn more about this rich history, join us at the DesBrisay Museum for an exciting presentation by photographer Kerry Jarvis! Discover a captivating collection of images and stories highlighting the incredible impact horses have had on our world.

Don’t miss this chance to see our history "straight from the horse's mouth!"

EVENT DETAILS:
Date: Thursday, June 11, 2026
Time: 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Location: DesBrisay Museum (130 Jubilee Road, Bridgewater)
Admission: FREE

🔗 More Info & Share the Event: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BV9u64nwc/

06/02/2026

A reminder that we will be open this Saturday. You will find a gift for anyone on your list, even a treat for yourself.

Stop in for savings and support our local artists, makers and authors as well as the Friends of the DesBrisay Museum projects.

Downtown Bridgewater

06/02/2026

A SECOND PEEK: UPCOMING EXHIBIT AT THE DESBRISAY MUSEUM

Powered by Water: Stories of the Wile Carding Mill, June 24, 2026

Founded along Sandy Brook in 1860 by 27-year-old Dean Wile, the mill was located in the early industrial hub nicknamed Sebastopol. The family business kept its waterwheel turning through three generations—from Dean to his sons Arkanus and Otto, and finally his grandson Vernon—before its historic final run concluded in 1968.

🐑 What Set the Wile Mill Apart?
Dean Wile offered a rare operational guarantee that changed everything:
Get YOUR Exact Wool Back: He promised farmers that the specific raw wool they dropped off was the exact carded product they received back. Because families took great pride in the quality of their own sheep breeds, this unique guarantee made a grueling 12-hour wagon or ox-cart journey to Bridgewater completely worth the trip.

📸 A Glimpse into 1888
Featured this rare historic photograph (Acc. No. U107.1) from the DesBrisay Museum and Nova Scotia Museum collections. Captured around 1888—the year Arkanus Wile became a business partner—it shows wool sacks stacked by the door and a horse-drawn carriage waiting outside, perfectly capturing the mill's peak
season.

📅 June 24 – September 26, 2026
📍 The DesBrisay Museum
🎟️ Free Admission (Donations welcome)

06/01/2026

☀️ Summer hours at the DesBrisay Museum! ☀️

Starting this week, we are opening our doors earlier so you can enjoy even more heritage, art, recreation and culture. Whether you are planning a morning stroll through the beautiful Woodland Gardens or looking to beat the midday heat in our air-conditioned galleries, we welcome you.

⏰ New Summer Hours: Tuesday to Saturday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

💲Admission is free! Please contribute a donation if you can to help support! Come explore our latest rotating exhibits, and learn about our shared local history.

📍 Find us at 130 Jubilee Road, Bridgewater. Learn more or map your route on the DesBrisay Museum Website, desbrisaymuseum.ca

🖼 Image description: Summer themed poster with Summer Hours as listed above.

05/29/2026

June is around the corner! There is still time to register! https://www.connect2rec.com/Program/GetProgramDetails?courseId=a5295e8c-ead9-4b49-a2b0-9ce4a31224c9&fbclid=IwY2xjawSGs55leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFuSHBQc25kdWFPem5LcFNQc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHofxuPpYXowree3Sdi8f6MdFY5r_mvtuIYJ0nIg4hjesKCNTVaKQYCIx8vIO_aem_epdR1wLkNXHRWATUuAXi7g

📣There's still time to register for Move Over Stick People!!

Register Here: https://www.connect2rec.com/program/GetProgramDetails?courseId=a5295e8c-ead9-4b49-a2b0-9ce4a31224c9

Are you afraid to draw people? Don't be!!

Join Emma Fitzgerald for some fun warm up drawing activities to loosen you up, and then learn the basics of proportion. There will then be the opportunity to practice drawing a person, with timed exercises, and a more extended long pose. This is not a Life drawing class - the model is clothed.
Artist and Instructor Emma FitzGerald is known for her illustrations in books like "Sketch by Sketch Along Nova Scotia's South Shore" and "Hand Drawn Halifax". She is experienced working with participants of all levels, including beginner.

Participants can bring a sketchbook, approximately 8x10", preferred sketching materials, and water bottle.

Tuesday, June 2 from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
DesBrisay Museum, 130 Jubilee Rd, Bridgewater
Ages 18+

05/29/2026

FROM THE ARCHIVES: 🚒

As the community celebrates the Bridgewater Fire Department’s 150th anniversary this year, we’re looking back through our collection at how local emergency services grew alongside our town.

📸 Pictured: The Bridgewater Fire Station and fleet on Pleasant Street, circa 1922. (DesBrisay Museum Collection, Acc. No. 98.6.21)

Bridgewater's protective services actually began as a basic bucket brigade. On May 29, 1876, 27 local men gathered in the office of James Curll to officially organize a hook and ladder protection company for the young town. Ever since, the department has voluntarily maintained their proud tradition and excellent service under the enduring motto: "Ever Ready."

The department's headquarters moved multiple times over the decades to match the footprint of our growing community:

📍 1876: Formed at the Drill Shed, later meeting at a hall on St. Andrew’s Street.
📍 1922: Relocated to this newly constructed home on Pleasant Street, as seen in the archival photo.
📍 1962: Moved to the larger, modern station on Dominion Street, where they operate to this day.

05/28/2026

🎉Get Ready for a Day of Fun, Adventure, & Family Time! 🚴‍♂️🛹🏒

We're making it easy and exciting for you to try something new, get active, and make unforgettable memories! 🎯

Join us for a jam-packed day of try-it activities that the whole family will love — from skateboarding and biking to street hockey and disc golf! 🛹🚲🥅🥏

🎈That’s not all! The fun keeps going with:
• A bouncy castle for big jumps and big smiles 😄
• Face painting to transform into your favorite characters 🎨
• A scavenger hunt, chalk art, and bubbles galore! 🔍🌿🫧

Drop by for a demo to learn something new!

11:30am - 12:00pm: Zumba 💃
12:00pm - 1:00pm: Cricket 🏏
1:00pm - 1:30pm: Storytime (Library) 📖
1:30pm - 2:00pm: Pound 🥁

Need a break? Visit the Book Mobile for a quiet moment to relax, read, and recharge. 📚
Hungry after all that action? Swing by Toasties - Grilled Cheese Shack for some delicious bites that’ll hit the spot! 🔥

To kick off Bike Month in June, we are launching MODL's E-Bike Loan Program! Come out and try an e-bike and learn how to loan them. 🚲

After you’re finished playing outside with us, check out what’s happening inside at the LCLC (regular fees apply)

🏊‍♀️Public Swim: 12:30pm – 4:00pm

Grab your friends, bring your family, and come play, explore, and connect — it's going to be a blast! 🎊

All of this is able to happen because of the partnership between the YMCA Lunenburg County, Town of Bridgewater, Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre (LCLC), South Shore Public Libraries, and Municipality of the District of Lunenburg - MODL!

📆Sunday, June 7
⏰11:00am - 2:00pm
📍LCLC, Bridgewater (135 North Park Street)
💲It's Free!

Pre-registration is encouraged:
💻Online: www.connect2rec.com
☎️Phone: (902) 530-4100
🧍‍♀️In-Person: Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre (LCLC)