The Leprosy of Tracadie

When leprosy appeared in the northeastern region of New Brunswick at the beginning of the nineteenth century, the province of New Brunswick built a hospital on Sheldrake Island, near Chatham to prevent the spread of the disease. Between 1844 and 1949, everyone affected by leprosy was sent to this lazaretto. In 1849, the lazaretto was moved to Tracadie.

The Religious Hospitallers of Saint Joseph of Montreal arrived in Tracadie in 1868 to care for the lepers. When jurisdiction over the lazaretto was transferred from the province to the federal government in 1880, the sisters assumed responsibility for the entire administration of the hospital.

One year after the last leper at the lazaretto died in 1964, the institution closed its doors indefinitely. During its 121 years, the lazaretto treated 327 patients with Hansen’s disease from different provinces and various countries. While some lepers were cured and released, most died and are buried in four cemeteries, one of which was reserved for lepers.

A mini-museum opened in 1968 to celebrate the centennial of the arrival of the Religious Hospitallers of Saint Joseph in Tracadie. Its founder, sister Dorina Frigault remained head of the museum in 2003, even at 83 years of age. Sister Dorina Frigault’s mini-museum became the Historical Museum of Tracadie, Inc.