Clare MLA Ryan Robicheau (from left) Clare Municipal Councillor Danny Hill, and Clare Warden Yvon LeBlanc were on hand for the funding announcement in support of an interpretive center being developed by the Electric City/La Nouvelle France Society. Standing is Electric City/La Nouvelle France Society board member Osbourn MacDonald. Digby Area TourismArticle contentOne of the most fascinating chronicles in southwestern Nova Scotia’s history will soon have an interpretive centre dedicated to telling the story of the Electric City – an 1890’s settlement in the backwoods of Digby County that was home to one of North America’s first hydroelectric plants.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentDigby-Annapolis MLA Jill Balser, who is also Minister of Labour, Skills, and Immigration, recently announced $60,000 in funding through the Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage to support the Electric City/La Nouvelle France Society in establishing a new interpretive centre in Weymouth. The interpretive centre will create space for performances, programming and exhibits that share the history of Electric City and its deep cultural roots.Article contentArticle contentArticle content Digby-Annapolis MLA Jill Balser, Minister of Labour, Skills, and Immigration, announces $60,000 in funding through the Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage to support the Electric City/La Nouvelle France Society in establishing a new interpretive centre in Weymouth, while Society co-chairs Stacey Doucette and Hal Theriault (right) listen. Digby Area TourismArticle content“This project is about building pride, welcoming visitors, and creating something lasting for our community,” said Balser when making the announcement on July 25 at the Electric City/La Nouvelle France Society Centre in Weymouth.Article content“I’m so proud that our government can support this kind of vision and commitment here in Weymouth. This kind of work reminds us what’s possible when culture and community come together. I want to thank everyone involved for their dedication to bringing this important story to life,” said Balser.Article contentNew France – or, as it came to be known, the Electric City – was founded in 1892 by the Stehelin family of France and abandoned following the First World War.Article content An old, historical photo of Electric City that was located in New France, Digby County.Article contentThe family dammed the Silver River to power a sawmill, built a pole railway to Weymouth 17 miles (27 kilometres) away, from where the lumber was shipped to market, and they generated electricity through the mill to light the settlement long before electricity was available in the rest of Digby County.Article contentArticle contentFrom the late 1890s to the early 1910s, the Stehelins ran a successful lumbering operation. When the First World War ended lumber prices plummeted and the operation couldn’t be sustained.Article contentArticle contentThe buildings were eventually torn down in the late 1950s. All that remains are some of the stone foundations.Article content One of the original photos of the Cookhouse at the Electric City (New France). Photo by Courtesy HAL THERIAULT /ContributedArticle contentIn the present day, the home for the Electric City/La Nouvelle France (New France) Society is a former church in Weymouth that was built in 1864.Article content“We took over ownership of it about three years ago,” said Hal Theriault, who with Stacey Doucette are team leaders in the society.Article content“It required a great deal of work, so we partnered with a number of provincial departments and insulated it, re-shingled the roof. We have 26 stained glass windows had to be re-caulked and covered with plexiglass-like material so they will be preserved forever. There was no water so we drilled a well,” he said.
A fascinating history: Electric City/La Nouvelle France Society closer to opening interpretive centre in Weymouth
