Today New Waterford may just look like a deindustrialized coal mining town, but did you know that it also has a rich Acadian past?

Traces Acadians and their contributions to building the community of New Waterford remain in street names, family names, Le Cercle Evangeline – affectionately referred to as “The French Club” - and memories and stories that have been passed on through generations.

Acadians began migrating to Industrial Cape Breton in the early 1900s from rural Acadian communities, such as Chéticamp, Isle Madame and other communities in New Brunswick, to work in the coal mines.

With little resources available in rural Acadian communities the early eighteenth century, it became more and more common for Acadians to move to sites of industry. One location that became increasingly attractive was Massachusetts. With a significant population of Acadians, the Société mutuelle l'Assomption, or Société l’Assomption was founded in Wastom Massachusetts in 1903. This organization sought to provide financial support to Acadians in United States, aid those seeking employment, promote education through scholarships, and promote Acadian identity.

The Société l’Assomption focused on helping working class Acadians living outside of Acadian regions. It quickly gained strength in Canada with its headquarters moving to Moncton in 1913. Membership quickly grew to 7,520 with 115 local branches, 30 of which were in the United States and 85 in Canada.

Acadians in New Waterford founded a branch of Société l’Assomption in 1912. Branches of Société l’Assomption also later opened in the communities of Sydney and Reserve Mines. The strong Acadian population in Industrial Cape Breton worked hard to sustain their culture, identity, language, as well as to educate their children.

In New Waterford specifically, there were French Masses at Mount Carmel Parish and a French class available for the children of Acadian families. There was a second wave of Acadian migration in the 1940s, Acadians were particularly attracted to New Waterford because many already had family in the area and there was an active French community.

Over a generation, it became increasingly difficult to preserve Acadian culture and language within an Anglophone town. In 1960, the Société l'Assomption in New Waterford decided to make a change and became le Cercle Evangeline. Le Cercle Evangeline was a more social organization, formed a Ladies Auxiliary, and aimed to attract a younger membership. The organization was active for a number of years before disbanding and kept Acadianness alive in New Waterford.

Today, 67% of the New Waterford population are of Acadian decent. It is a rich aspect of the town’s history that at times goes overlooked. It is important to remember the efforts of the people who fought hard to sustain Acadian culture, identity, and language in the town – some of whom still have strong connections to these elements today.

On Wednesday, July 20 from 4pm – 7pm there will be a celebration of New Waterford’s Acadian roots.

Come join the community during Coal Dust Days at Le Cercle Evangeline (The French Club) – 425 Eighth Street, New Waterford – for an evening of food, music, and memories. There will be a fricot (chicken and potato stew) supper for $5, an Acadian band, storytelling, and photos and historic documents to view. Click here for more information.

All are welcome.