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Among all of the small Acadian communities that have developed within the past two centuries in the Atlantic provinces, we ought to have the right to say that our community of Cheticamp, St-Joseph du Moine and Margaree has proved to be one of the most active.

History

This Acadian region is about 40 kilometers long with a population of about 4,500 people, descendants of the Acadians who were expulsed in 1755. Many of our ancestors were expulsed in England where they were treated as prisoners during the Seven-Year War from 1756-1763. At the end of the war, they were transferred to the coasts of France, especially in Saint-Malo, where they remained for 10 years. From 1773 to 1775 they left France to return to their country. Meanwhile, their hardship was not over, due to the expulsion and to the English prisons. When they returned, the war of the American Revolution was at its highest peak. Between 1755-1785 our ancestors roamed around the Gulf of St. Lawrence to seek shelter. Finally, in 1785 they found refuge in our mountains, far away from privateers. Later on, they settled near the sea to devote themselves to fishing.

In spite of the fact that the Acadians were isolated by the mountains and by the Gulf of St. Lawrence, they maintained their language and their culture for nearly two centuries. By no means have we abandoned our French language and folklore.

La Société St-Pierre

Back in 1947, after the war, a group of devoted people from this region founded La Société St-Pierre whose main objectives were to preserve our heritage and to promote the intellectual, cultural, social and economic aspects of the Acadians of Cape Breton. For twenty years, it focused mainly on post-secondary education by giving out loans to students from money acquired through door to door collections and in churches. After the government took over the charge of student loans, La Société St-Pierre laid emphasis on its former objectives.

La Société St-Pierre and DEVCO

Back in March 1976, DEVCO (Cape Breton Development Corporation) met with the Directors of La Société St-Pierre. According to Tom Kent, President of DEVCO at the time, our French community was undoubtedly an economic asset for tourism due to our unique culture. He said that it was not only our duty to preserve our heritage but also to develop it and to make it known. According to him we were different and unique and that tourists would not be satisfied with just admiring our mountains. on the other hand, they would stop for a few days in order to get to know the people and to benefit from their culture.

DEVCO gave a grant to La Société St-Pierre, providing the money necessary to build Les Trois Pignons (XVIII century French architectural style).

The building called Les Troie Pignons holds the offices of La Société St-Pierre and comprises a cultural and information centre for tourists and for our local people as well. It's a place where we can obtain information pertaining to our history, genealogy, rug "hooking" industry, etc... An historical tour of Cheticamp is organized for the tourists and given by well-trained guides.

The building also includes a library containing over 4,000 books with a selection for children. Moat of the books were donated by the Government of France, by the province of Québec and by local people. Part of the library comprises an Information Bank with the different programs of the Federal and Provincial government and is opened to all sectors of the population. A very good collection of French records is on lease to the public. Les Trois Pignons also owns a collection of encyclopaedias, magazines, newspapers, pamphlets, educational films, slides, linguistic files, song books, etc. Your contribution would be greatly appreciated in order to help ua expand this collection.

The Elizabeth LeFort Gallery, adjacent to Les Trois Pignons, includes a collection of tapestries made by the famous Dr. Elizabeth LeFort. It also displays other historical rugs of the area as well as various arts and crafts. A workshop being part of the Gallery offers various courses pertaining to three fields in order to suit the needs and interests of our local people. This Gallery and craft workshop definitely enhances our culture and attracts many a visitor.

Management of La Société St-Pierre

La Société St-Pierre is administered by an executive committee plus a Board of Directors who meet occasionally to discuss matters of the Society. . .

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