Minudie is a small, rural community set among ancient fields and marshes, with strong tides held back by dykes, just north of River Hebert on a winding loop that connects back with Joggins.  We are told, it was the Mi’kmaq who first lived on these lands,  that invited the French in Port Royal, who made seasonal hunting trips to the area, to settle here with their families.  In the spring of 1672, six French men arrived by boat and built shelters.  The following year, twelve families arrived and a permanent settlement began.

Minudie’s long history, has witnessed peaceful settlement, the Expulsion of the Acadians in 1755, the eventual return of some Acadians, growth of the community under the 1,000-acre land grant of Colonel Joseph Frederick Wallet DesBarres, and the industrial growth period of Amos Seaman.  In 1871, the population of this community is listed as 600.  As times changed, the population shifted and gradually the population of Minudie was drastically reduced.

In recent years, many volunteers have worked faithfully to maintain a number of sites  which directly connect to the history of Minudie, such as the churches, cemeteries, the school museum and a heritage home.  Each year, numerous visitors come to search their roots, connect to the past and to dig into the history of the area.

The association was formed during the summer of 2001 and includes the following individuals, associations and heritage organizations:

-                     the Amos Thomas Seaman Heritage House

-                     the Amos “King” Seaman School Museum

-                     the “King” Seaman Church Society

-                     the Lake Cemetery

-                     St. Denis Cemetery

-                     The Restoration Committee of the St. Denis Church

-                     The River Hebert, Joggins & Area Development Association 

The mandate of the Association is to increase the publics’ awareness of Minudie and the historical significances of Amos Seaman and other relevant figures. The Minudie Heritage Association anticipates increased visitors to the whole area, drawn in part, by efforts to have the Joggins Fossil Cliffs designated a World Heritage Site.  As well, in 2004 Nova Scotia will be hosting an International Gathering of Acadians, when thousands of Acadians will be returning to the land of their ancestors some of whom were from Minudie.  The association believes strongly that this heritage project will help guide our future in promoting the rich heritage of Minudie and the local area.

©2003