HISTORIC PARK

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 August 1941, Page 3

HISTORIC PARK

ESTABLISHED AT POPJT ROYAL.

LOWER GRANVILLE, N.S.

The Port Royal National Historic Park on the original site of the settlement built by Samuel de Champlain early in the 17th century, was formally opened here on July 4. Named Port Royal by Champlain in 1604, a thriving French settlement was developed in 1605 with the promotion of agriculture and other industries. This historical spot is only a few miles from famous Annapolis Royal, oldest European settlement in America north of the Gulf of Mexico. Nova Scotia’s archives reveal that during the first winter at Annapolis Royal six settlers died because of the too arduous labour of grinding corn bj r hand. This calamity brought about the building of the first waterpower mill in 1606. On the waters of Annapolis Basin was launched the first vessel to be build in North America; at Annapolis Royal the first conversion to Christianity in Canada was effected; the first road was made; the first drugstore was opened; the first bricks were made; the first Canadian poem was written; and the first play, “Neptune’s Theatre” was performed. A correct replica in size and detail of Champlain’s Habitation has been built on the exact site of the original building. In the great hall of this Habitation was founded the first social club in America, Champlain’s famous “Order of the Good Time” which now has a membership of 131,587 in the British Empire and in the United States.