History in Canada
LOUISBOURG HERITAGE NOTES IN THE LOUISBOURG SEAGULL Extracted from © The Seagull Louisbourg Heritage Notes "January 2000" Louisbourg in 1900 - 100 years ago. The big Louisbourg event for the summer of 1900 was a visit by the Prime Minister, Sir Wilfrid Laurier. He came to the fortress site to address the annual picnic of the... Continue Reading →
William A. O’Shea’s wonderful legacy continues to surprise us. Just this week I (his son Kevin O’Shea) learned that in 1992, my father was awarded the 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal which was awarded to Canadians who were deemed to have made a significant contribution to their fellow citizens, to their community,... Continue Reading →
William A. O'Shea (Bill O'Shea) was very passionate about the history of his adopted home of Louisbourg, Nova Scotia. This archives is proof of that. While going through records, books, and research he gave to me before his passing in 2019, I found hundreds of incredible photographs. Many of historical significance. In this post, I... Continue Reading →
Beryl Markham’s Great Adventure: Abingdon to Baleine, September 5, 1936 (Louisbourg Heritage Notes 11) Charles A. Burke (Edited by Bill O’Shea) In West With the Night, Beryl Markham described her Kenyan childhood and subsequent career as a bust-pilot, big game spotter, horse breeder and successful transatlantic flyer. The book enjoyed immense popularity, but despite praise... Continue Reading →
W.A. (Bill) O’Shea 1946 - 2019 Someone once remarked that we see further when we stand on the shoulders of giants. Bill O’Shea was such a giant for the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site. Bill’s career with Parks Canada spanned over 40 years beginning in Placentia and ending at Cornwall, but he is best... Continue Reading →
First published in May 1995 1939 & 1940 To the Louisbourg of 1939, the looming war declared by Great Britain and France on Germany on September 3rd was a minor affair that hardly rippled the even tenor of everyday life… Read more by downloading the free PDF version of this Heritage Notes: Special VE Day... Continue Reading →
William A. O’Shea William Anthony O’Shea was born in Cornwall on October 16, 1946. He was educated in Cornwall graduating from CCVS. He graduated from St. Michael’s College, University of Toronto with an M.A. in Social Anthropology. It was there he met his future wife Helen Anne Nixon. He had a long and distinguished career... Continue Reading →
The Congregation of Notre-Dame in 18th Century Louisbourg By A.J.B. Johnston (edited by Bill O’Shea) First published by the Louisbourg Heritage Society in July 1995. First on Cape Breton Island, then in exile in France, the Sisters of the Congregation of Notre-Dame served the people of Louisbourg for many decades. Their aim was to always... Continue Reading →
Originally published by the Louisbourg Heritage Society in September, 2000. The Louisbourg Library - 50 Years Bill O’Shea The Louisbourg Branch of the Cape Breton Regional Library opened on October 6, 1950. It was on the ground floor of the Navy League building on Main Street. Christine MacLean was the first librarian… To read more... Continue Reading →
Published by the Louisbourg Heritage Society in May 1994. Louisbourg Navy League Hut (A Provincial Heritage Property) William A. O’Shea In May 1994 the Louisbourg Navy League building was designated a Provincial Heritage Property. Cecil Grant, President, and Michael Burke, Past President, of the Louisbourg & Area Lions Club recognized the heritage value of the... Continue Reading →
O'Shea Archives 