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Areas of interest:
Cultural history, ethnology, history, fisheries, traditional trades and crafts, blacksmithing,
stone masonry
Operated by:
Isle Madame Historical Society (IMHS)
Description, purpose:
The Isle Madame Historical Society is an organization committed to the collection of documents, tools, photos, journals, paintings
and any other memorabilia of historical significance to Isle Madame's past. The Society recognizes the importance of this
island's rich heritage and wishes to document this information for the benefit of present and future generations.
A carriage presently stored inside the antique Forge building
The Forge was built from stone blocks transported by boat from Port Hood (west coast of Cape Breton Island). The exact date
of its construction is unknown (see below: "The Forge and the Shipyard").
This is a simple one and a half-storey structure, Acadian-style, with a forge and chimney. Its unusual measurements (46'
and 8-10" x 28' 4-5") suggest that the toise, a French measuring tool, was used. The walls consist mainly of dressed
red sandstone (east and south walls); they also incorporate some rubble/ fieldstone (north and west walls). Its corners are
marked by quoins made of rectangular-cut sandstone blocks. The roof is supported on heavy timber trusses.
Prior to restoration in 1967, the north and south walls were practically intact; the facade or east wall missed many stones;
the west wall had to be entirely rebuilt, and a new roof was added. The restoration work did not duplicate the original arched
entrance with keystone, nor the two large windows on the west wall. The large central hearth chimney containing the forge
was not rebuilt either; instead, there is a small brick chimney in the SW corner. The original pavé or floor was not restored.
A new side-gabled roof and part of the gable end walls were constructed of wood shingles.
Stone masonry was a tradition with the Doré (Dorey) family on Isle Madame. As the only masonry building in the immediate
area, the Forge stands out as a landmark. It is also very distinctive as a remain of waterfront industry.
Today, the Forge stands with the same materials and measurements as two centuries ago. The exterior masonry was restored
in 2000 by John Urich (from the Fortress of Louisbourg).
The Thomas Le Noir story
In the late 18th century, Thomas LeNoir came to Arichat where he set up a blacksmith and locksmith business. His son followed
in his footsteps; they became shipchandlers to service the many vessels which came into the deepwater Arichat harbour. So
skilfull were the LeNoirs that apprentices came from all over Cape Breton to learn at the LeNoir Forge.
The family business continued in the same forge until 1902.
To find out more about...
the LeNoir Forge Museum (by Multicultural Trails of Nova Scotia)
Successive uses of the Forge (stone building) over the years:
Throughout two centuries, the Forge was used not only as a blacksmith shop but also as a trade school, a bonded warehouse,
a tavern, a duty house, a coal shed, and an ice house. It is unknown when it ceased operations as a forge - probably in the
early 20th century, when shipbuilding had declined as a local industry.
Local people have also claimed that the building may have served as a bordello, long ago, before 1788 when Simon Foret
bought it. When Charles Robin brought male workers from Jersey in 1764, he had forbidden them to take their wives or family
along while they were serving for the first few years. It is not unlikely that some "enterprising" women may have
seen an opportunity in catering to homesick souls.
The "Old Forge", prior to its restoration in 1967.
That building is part of industrial heritage in Cape Breton.
By the 1960's, the old forge stood in ruins. Concerned local residents, deeming that this was one of the few surviving witnesses
of industries derived from the Cape Breton's great shipbuilding era, felt the need to take action.
In 1967, the Municipality of the County of Richmond acquired the building. That same year, the Isle Madame Board of Trade,
the Municipality and the Isle Madame Historical Society undertook its restoration as a local museum, as part of Arichat's
celebration of Canada's centennial year.
The Forge was declared a National Heritage Property in 1967. The now defunct Isle Madame Board of Trade served as the
first caretaker. The first museum's curator was a local historian, Marshall J. Bourinot. The museum complex is now operated
by the Isle Madame Historical Society (IMHS). In 1986, the Forge was made a Nova Scotia Heritage Property.
The Forge has been used since its restoration to store artifacts, from bellows and blackmithing tools to other types of
hardware, etc.
This prison cell door comes from the old jail in the Arichat Courthouse. The bell-shaped opening was used to pass food to
the inmate.
A new museum complex on Arichat waterfront:
In 1997, the Isle Madame Historical Society (IMHS) and Development Isle Madame initiated a long-term plan to develop the Forge
and the area adjacent. This group plans to remove artifacts not related to blacksmithing from the Forge structure and to entirely
dedicate it to its original intended use, as a working forge.
A former Irving service station above the Forge building (Lorenzo building) was transformed to replicate a 19th-century
storefront. It will house the parts of the collection which are not related to blacksmithing, including an interpretation
centre/museum on the theme of settlement of Isle Madame, and a genealogy archive /service center.
Formerly a service station, this building was donated to the community in the name of the IMHS.
The Forge itself will be used solely for demonstrations of the traditional blacksmithing trade. Flanking the Forge, two new
wooden structures now serve as a showcase for traditional local crafts and trades, from boat building to rug hooking.
The complex installation, which includes an outdoors auditorium, will be completed in time for the Congrès mondial acadien,
in the summer of 2004.
The fish shanties were built to compliment the cultural and historic development theme. They are leased to local entrepreneurs,
businesses, and/or local artisans.
Other features at the IMHS:
- Genealogical research
- Archives
Current research:
Brenda Chisholm (M.A. Anthropology), at La Picasse in Petit-de-Grat, is currently preparing a CD-ROM on the history of
Isle Madame, and she will also publish a book on the subject.
To reach her: 902.226.0185.
Interpretation:
When the restored forge was re-opened in 1967, a well-known blacksmith, the local Toney LeBlanc operated it and helped visitors
recapture the atmosphere during the height of Arichat's economic boom.
It is the goal of the IMHS to restore the forge to its original condition.
Following in Toney Leblanc's footsteps, Larry Keating, his grandson, has his own business in Port Royal, Isle Madame where
he demonstrates his expertise before visitors. In our technology-oriented, mass-production world, blacksmithing is in danger
to become a dying art. Fortunately, local craftsmen like Larry still carry the tradition proudly.
The Island Forge
Owner/Blacksmith: Larry Keating
R.R. #1, Port Royal, Richmond County, Cape Breton
902.226.9364
Examples of ironwork/wrought iron still done today:
eel spears, lamps, candelabra, weather vanes, fences, railings, fireplace sets, plant brackets.
The Tall Ships were in Arichat (Salute to L'Acadie): August 4-6, 2004
Related Web sites:
Isle Madame Summit 2000 (incl. papers on the history of Isle Madame)
A bit about the history of Arichat, and demographics on Isle Madame
Petit-de-Grat, past and present (Steven DeRoche)
About the area - History (from L'Auberge Acadienne)
Maps of Isle Madame (1885): D'Escousse, West Arichat, Petit-de-Grat, Arichat
Notre-Dame de l'Assomption - Parish records (1839-1919)
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