The Place:
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Lunenburg is also a National Historic District, winner of the Communities in Bloom most beautiful small town in Canada, Prettiest Painted Places in Canada, Port City of the Year and Society of American Travel Writers’ awards. Lunenburg is one of the best preserved old towns in the province of Nova Scotia, with many extant heritage buildings, some dating from the eighteenth century. While the brick and stone Lunenburg Town Hall isn't quite that old, it is nonetheless a landmark building in the town, its cornerstone having been laid in 1891. As well preserved as much of the rest of the town, the town hall still serves its original purpose.
To complement the old town hall, Lunenburg has several old churches, the two oldest being
St. Andrew's Presbyterian, built in 1769 and the even older
St. John's Anglican, begun in 1754. Downtown is the
Oldest Operating Inn in Canada, the Lennox Tavern. On the hill above the town is the old
Lunenburg Academy, opened November 7, 1895.
Down at the waterfront, if one arrives at a propitious time, they may see the
Bluenose II, a replica of the famed
Bluenose, a fishing schooner which was renowned as he fastest schooner of its time. Lunenburg was, and is, the home to both.
However, one may arrive in Lunenburg anytime and partake of the wonderful seafood available in one of the many dockside (or non dockside) seafood restaurants Lunenburg has to offer.
The Person:
On June 7, 1753, escorted by several ships of the British Navy and accompanied by 160 Regular soldiers, 1,453 Foreign Protestants from Halifax landed at Rous' Brook, establishing the town of Lunenburg, named in honour of
King George II, the King of Great Britain and Ireland, George August of Hanover, who was also the
Duke of Braunschweig-Lüneburg.
George II (1683 - 1760)
George was elector of Hanover and second Hanoverian king of Great Britain and Ireland.
George was born in Hanover, Germany on 10 November 1683, the only son of the elector of Hanover. In 1705 he married Princess Caroline of Brandenburg-Ansbach, and they had nine children.
In 1714, George's father succeeded to the British throne, and created George prince of Wales. The relationship between father and son was already poor and the prince's London residence, Leicester House, became a rival court and focus for a dissident Whig group which included Robert Walpole. He encouraged a reconciliation between father and son. This led to Walpole's inclusion in George I's administration, whereupon he lost the prince's favour. Only Caroline's intervention kept Walpole in office when the prince succeeded to the throne in 1727. He cemented his position by securing George a Civil List (allowance) from parliament of £800,000, considerably more than previous monarchs had received. Walpole also won acknowledgement of George's legitimacy from many influential Tories who supported the exiled Stuart pretender to the English throne. As a result, no senior politician deserted George's cause during the Jacobite Rebellion of 1745. Charles Edward Stuart, the 'Young Pretender' landed in Scotland but, after some initial success, was defeated at the Battle of Culloden in 1746.
George seemed destined to imitate his father, quarrelling with his son Frederick Louis, Prince of Wales, who in turn became a leader of an anti-administration faction. War broke out with Spain in 1739. In 1742 Walpole, who had dominated government since 1721, resigned. George quickly found another mentor in John Carteret who, with George, brought England into the War of the Austrian Succession (1740-1748), prompting accusations that he was subordinating English interests to those of George's German possessions. In 1743, George led his troops into battle against the French at Dettingen, the last British king to fight in battle.
During the last decade of his life George took little interest in politics. Britain's involvement in the Seven Years' War (1756 - 1763) was largely overseen by William Pitt the Elder. This period also saw the expansion of British influence in India and Canada with the military successes of Robert Clive and James Wolfe respectively.
George died on 25 October 1760. Frederick had died in 1751, leaving George's grandson to inherit the throne.
From the BBC
LUNENBURG, NOVA SCOTIA
Renowned for being the birthplace of the famous Bluenose and Bluenose II, the town of Lunenburg, Nova Scotia has a long, proud seafaring history that continues to be reflected in its picturesque waterfront.
History of Lunenburg, Nova Scotia
The first mention of a settlement in what would later become the town of Lunenburg, Nova Scotia was in the early 1600s. At that time, it was an Acadian/Mi’kmaq village named Mirligueche. After recurring hostilities between the French and English, Nova Scotia’s governor, Edward Cornwallis, ordered the village of wooden houses destroyed. In its place, a British fortress was erected to guard the harbour. However, the British recognized the area’s value as a settlement:
• well-protected harbour
• easy access to forests
• fertile farmland
• well-populated fishing grounds
Foreign Protestants were encouraged to settle the area in a town that would be named Lunenburg, in honour of King George II, Duke of Brunschweig-Lunenburg.
Lunenburg would quickly become known as a major shipbuilding centre, with local mills supplying the wood needed to build some of the most impressive sailing ships ever designed. Among these was the famous Bluenose, a fishing and racing schooner built in 1921 that would remain undefeated in international racing for 17 years. The Bluenose lives on on the Canadian dime, while her replica, the Bluenose II has gone on to act as Nova Scotia’s sailing ambassador around the world and continues to call Lunenburg home.
As the use of wooden vessels fell in favour to steel steamships, the town evolved to become a modern ship repair and outfitting port, especially during the First and Second World Wars and to the Province’s trawler fleet. Today, Lunenburg, Nova Scotia is very much a town where the past meets the present. Seventy percent of the original buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries continue to greet visitors with their colourful facades. As a result, the town has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site – a fitting tribute to the lasting history nestled alongside this tranquil harbour.
Things to do in Lunenburg
Lunenburg is truly a walking town, with everything centrally located and just a short distance from one another. Stroll past the colourful heritage properties (in case you’re wondering, Nova Scotia’s fishing towns often painted their homes bright colours so as to be easily seen from the water), visit the many gift and artisan shops scattered throughout the town or enjoy an ice cream along its boardwalk. If the steep hills seem intimidating, you can take a horse and carriage ride with a driver who will gladly point out all of Lunenburg’s famous sites.
Lunenburg is also a haven for many artists who find inspiration in its surrounding beauty. Throughout the summer, the town hosts art festivals that showcase local artists’ range of media and subjects. July includes the Lunenburg Street Festival and Art Walk and the Nova Scotia Folk Art Festival, while the Lunenburg Folk Harbour Festival takes place in August, featuring traditional and contemporary folk music from around the province and region.
From Nova Scotia Tourism