Unfortunately,the corps there was out of town that day but the guard on duty suggested that we look into what was happenning at Fortress Louisbourg in Nova Scotia the next summer in 1995. Upon return to Lafayette, we did just that. In fact, Parks Canada was arranging the first ever reenactment at Fortress Louisbourg to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the siege of Louisbourg by the British in 1745. After corresponding with Sandy Balcom of the Fortress Louisbourg staff and a whole lot of planning, Tippecanoe undertook the longest trip we've taken on the continent. In fact, we were nearly halfway back to France! Forty hours on a bus took us straight through from Lafayette, Indiana to Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. We had the honor to perform at the magnificant Halifax Citadel commanding the hill overlooking Halifax harbor. Following our visit to Halifax, we travelled to the authentic 19th century restored town of Sherbrook Village. Thereafter we spent a wonderful two days in the tiny fishing vilage of Canso on the northeast tip of mainland Nova Scotia. Finally, the day came when we left the mainland over the causeway to Cape Breton Island and Fortress Louisbourg, the greatest fortress in North America. Currently restored to 55 buildings, the fortress was, at its height, five times that size; a real walled city in North America. It's archaeologically a wonder as no one built on the site for the 250 years since its destruction by the British. The event, with more than 1000 participating reenactors included a tall ship parade of over 16 vessels. The crowds were expected to be roughly 4000 spectators. The wildest dreams of the sponsors never anticipated the 80,000 people who came to witness a spectacle as wonderful as some of our own country's bicentennial festivities. The trip was a tremendous experience for all of us fortunate enough to have be along. We can't wait to go back in 1999! Enjoy with us the memories of that trip through the images on the pages listed to the left. |
