A Detour to Dorchester

As the founders of Peep & Keep Ecotique in Dorchester, New Brunswick we have always been proud of the uniqueness and charm of this former village now part of Tantramar. It is a “blink and you’ll miss it” kind of place which is mostly known for its Second Empire Style prison (build in 1880) ominously perched atop a hill with a spectacular view of the Memramcook Valley. 

As long-time residents of Dorchester, we know there is so much more to learn about Dorchester and its heritage and we invite you to take a small detour onto the Route 106 and discover our unique coastal ecology.

First inhabited by the Mi’kmaq the area is home to Fort Folly First Nation then Acadian and Yorkshire settlers. The influence of these three cultures is very much alive today.

Dorchester was once the capital or “Shiretown” of Westmorland County which includes what’s now the City of Moncton. The boom days for Dorchester were during the shipbuilding era and then times changed.

The Route 106 to Dorchester is part of the former Great Westmorland Stagecoach Route. As you cruise the countryside,  imagine what the trip would’ve been like on dirt roads via horse and wagon in maritime weather!

What’s little known about Dorchester is that we are part of the Unesco designated Fundy Biosphere Region. It’s a naturalist’s dream to witness the biodiversity of this area. One of the reasons Dorchester reflects the essence of the Fundy Biosphere Region is its location in the fertile Memramcook Valley along the Memramcook River near the opening to Shepody Bay.  This Bay is part of the Bay of Fundy and experiences the world’s highest tides.

….and if that isn’t amazing enough, in July and August we are witness to the migration of almost a quarter million shorebirds, including 30% of the world’s population of semi-palmated Sandpipers.  It is a spectacular experience to witness these magnificent, tiny globetrotters feasting on the mudshrimp and performing their aeriel show.  Now as great as that is, we also need to ensure these species are protected so they have a better chance of surviving their non-stop flight to Suriname, South America. Many of the birds are endangered or near endangered. So, it’s important to respect the guidance to stay off the beaches. It’s muddy down there anyway! These precious birds have a hard enough time, avoiding peregrine falcons charging them at 300Km an hour for us to create a threat to them as well.

Another unique ecological feature is the Acadian Dykeland System that can be seen out on the marshes. It is a testament to the hard work, grit and determination of the Acadian people. At first glance, they appear to be mounds of grass. What’s little known is that this system has been declared a National Historic Engineering Site by the Canadian Society for Engineering. Saving farmland from the world’s highest tides was not an easy feat.  It was certainly essential to  survival.  The dykes were made by hand shovelling without the machinery of today. The work had to be coordinated to happen at low tide.  The engineering marvel is due to the creation of an Aboiteau or one way valve which at low tide let the fresh water drain from the farm field without letting salt water from the Bay of Fundy enter.  This system depended on neighbours to cooperate to ensure the aboiteau’s were in good order and working to avoid breaks in a harsh, frequently stormy climate.

Below are our top 5 recommendations of places you won’t want to miss when you venture off the beaten path to visit us.

1)    Keillor House Museum and St. James Textile Museum. Experience a living museum that captures the lifestyle of the 1800s. Open seasonally mid-June to early September from 10:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m.

2)    Visit the Legendary Dorchester Square or “Devil’s Half Acre”.  The tiny square once housed a court house, and the Windsor Hotel along with many businesses and taverns. It was nicknamed the Devil’s Half Acre due to the number of notable and highly influential politicians and lawyers who had offices there and would frequent the taverns after work. There must’ve been some interesting debates!

3)    Visit SHEP the world’s largest replica of a semi-palmated sandpiper. Named after Shepody Bay, the statue was created by New Brunswick’s own Robin Hanson. 

4)    Support local and visit the small businesses in the Square. 

• Hungry?  Stop by The Square Takeout where you’ll enjoy the best fish and chips around or try one of their daily specials. Check their facebook site for hours.

• Thirsty? Stop by The Thirsty Whippet Pub a quirky english style pub at the Lady Smith Manor.

• Visit us at Peep & Keep Ecotique in the lower part of the Historic Bell Inn Building which is the oldest remaining stone building in NB (1811) and was once a stage coach stop.  Check out our wide selection of local artisan goods curated to celebrate our place in the Fundy Biosphere. Hours are posted on Facebook.

• Want to stay overnight? Dorchester has wonderful accommodations at the historic Maplehurst Manor.  Book well in advance as they are often sold out.

• There is much more to discover as well outside the Dorchester Square including fresh farm produce at Willow Farm (open seasonally).

5)    Visit the Johnsons’ Mills Nature Conservancy. Follow Route 935 and just 8 kilometres from Dorchester Square you’ll be greeted with breathtaking scenery of  an amazing seascape as you approach Shepody Bay.  The Nature Conservancy of Canada has an interpretative center at Johnson’s Mills. It’s open seasonally but the viewing deck is open all year round.  Their website recommends best viewing times based on the tides during the summer.

We hope you take the road less travelled to explore Dorchester the next time you’re in the area!

 Kara & Debbie

Peep & Keep Ecotique