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The Boats of Main-à-Dieu tells the story of a rural Cape Breton fishing village and its closest neighbours (Bateston, Catalone, Little Lorraine and Baleine). Visitors to this Community Memories exhibit will find that the proud past, hopeful present and vision for the future of Main-à-Dieu and its neighbours are all brought to life through the imagery and stories of a unique, yet distinctly maritime, way of life.
Follow a boat from its building to its blessing. Listen as generations of local residents share their memories of fishing and the sea. Witness the area’s transformation through cultural, economic and technological developments. Join these communities as they look forward to the creation of a sustainable future as a “Green Beacon Coastal Community,” ensuring there will always be a place to remember the past.
This exhibit continues a major initiative by the Main-à-Dieu & Area Community Development Association to “collect, preserve and share the stories of five Cape Breton communities through four centuries of momentous change, constant challenge and enduring character.” By shining a light on the past, its struggles and achievements and the lives and lessons of its people, these communities celebrate the shared experiences of a land where roots run deep, the sea is vast and powerful and the people’s enduring character is shaped by both.
