Tusket, Nova Scotia, is a quaint fishing community nestled in Yarmouth County. This charming village, located on route 308, is steeped in history and offers a unique blend of natural beauty and cultural heritage.
The history of Tusket, Nova Scotia, is as rich as its landscape. The village's name, "Tusket," evolved from "Neketaouksit," a Mi'kmaq word meaning "Great Forked Tidal River." The area was initially settled by Acadians before the British launched the Cape Sable Campaign. Following the Great Expulsion in 1785, Dutch United Empire Loyalists from New York and New Jersey also made Tusket their home.
In the 19th century, Tusket thrived as a major shipbuilding centre. The community's resilience was tested in 1801 when the town rescued survivors from the shipwreck of the Industry, who had been adrift in lifeboats for five days in the Bay of Fundy.
One of Tusket's most notable landmarks is the Old Tusket Courthouse. Built in 1805, this historic building, complete with a bell tower, is the oldest standing courthouse in Canada. The village is also the birthplace of Jack Elmer Hatfield, the first Nova Scotian to die in aerial combat in World War II.
Tusket, Nova Scotia, is home to the French-speaking high school École secondaire de Par-en-Bas. The Université Sainte-Anne also has a campus in Tusket, serving the Acadian community in the surrounding areas.
The Tusket River and Basin is a stunning natural feature of the area. This 32-kilometre wide basin boasts a highly irregular 500-kilometre coastline, dotted with points, peninsulas, ridges, and islands. The salt marshes, which cover 8000 acres or one-third of the total natural salt marsh in the province, play a crucial role in the local ecology.
The Acadian settlers made use of these marshes, constructing drainage ditches to harvest the hay growing there. Evidence of their dykes and aboiteaux can still be seen today, with one such aboiteau on display at the West Pubnico Acadian Museum in West Pubnico, Nova Scotia.
The Tusket River system is teeming with wildlife. The Mi'kmaq, who lived inland, would travel by canoe down the Tusket River to the sea, depending on the seasonal availability of staples. They harvested a variety of animals, including seals, sea bird eggs, cod, shellfish, smelts, gaspereau, sturgeon, salmon, eels, tomcod, waterfowl, beaver, otter, rabbits, deer, moose, and bear. All of these species, except for the caribou, still inhabit the Tusket River system today.
Tusket, Nova Scotia, is a community that beautifully blends history, culture, and natural beauty. Whether you're a history buff, nature lover, or simply looking for a peaceful getaway, Tusket is a destination worth exploring.
