WELCOME
to the Founding Cultures Museum
About
While colonizing the new world, many Europeans decided to make the move for a better life on the new continent. From the first nations who lived off these lands, to the French, British, Irish and Scottish who came and still live here, discover how Acadia now glows in charming little coastal villages like Grande-Anse.
Let us immerse you of local history to the rhythm of the tide, and learn the surprising relations between all these communities to discover and better understand the striving cultures who founded and still live on our shores.
Welcome to the Founding Cultures Museum!
Events
Opening of “Showcase on... Trevor Murty”
July 11, 2025, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., free
Founding Cultures Museum, 184 Acadie Street, Grande-Anse
The Founding Cultures Museum invites you on July 11 at 5 p.m. for the opening of the exhibition "Showcase on...". For this first edition, we are delighted to present Trevor Murty. This young multidisciplinary artist from Bois-Blanc creates touching works imbued with humanity, rich in texture, and thought-provoking.
The opening reception, which will be a happy hour with refreshments, is free. The artist will be present. The exhibition will continue during the museum's regular opening hours, daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., from June 21 to October 5, 2025.
Whiskey and chocolate pairing
April 6, 2024, 2 p.m. - $75 per person, $125 per couple
NB Distillery, 112 Main Street, Bathurst
Prepare to indulge your senses! You're invited to a Scotch whisky and chocolate pairing afternoon, a collaboration between the Bathurst chapter of the Scottish Cultural Association and the Founding Cultures Museum.
Come and delight your palate with expertly paired whisky, chocolate, and appetizers! There will also be a tartan weaving demonstration, musical entertainment, and a distillery tour.
Seats are limited, make sure to book your ticket early!
For reservations, call 506-546-3281.
Play The Tide Recedes
October 14, 2023, 4 p.m. - $15
The Tide Recedes is a play that tells the story of three Irish immigrants who started a lumber and shipbuilding business on Boishébert Island in Miramichi. Mary Ann Hurley, the sister of one of the gentlemen, arrived at Pokeshaw and was welcomed here by her brother.
The play is presented to us by the Miramichi company Character Matters, in collaboration with the Pokeshaw Cranberry Festival.
Opening Irreducibles Racines
July 22, 2022, 5 p.m.
In collaboration with the Atlantic Visual Arts Festival (FAVA), we are proud to host the interactive exhibition Irreducibles Racinesinside our UNI Financial Cooperation gallery.
The interactive exhibition Irreducible Roots that you will discover here was initiated in 2004 by the Festival of Visual Arts in the Atlantic (FAVA) and presented for the first time at the World Acadian Congress of 2009; Fifty artists were invited to create a work on the theme of the toponymy of Mi’kmaq and Maliseet origin of a community, of a targeted location in New Brunswick.
This exhibition includes twenty-five works by First Nations artists, paired with twenty-five works by Acadian artists; a unique collection of its kind.
We invite you to come join us this Friday, July 22 between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. to attend the official opening of this magnificent exhibition.
Sponsors
We would like to thank our many and generous sponsors who support us and contribute to our development.
Individuals
Mr. Bernard and Mrs. Lilian Riordon/ Mr. Thomas Riordon/ Mr. George Riordon/ The family of Edward and Ina O'Neil/ Mr. Gaston Hachey/ Mrs. Jeannine Blanchard Elhatton/ The family of Edward and Marie Louise Whelton
/ The family of Guy and Bernadine Riordon/ Mr. John Whelton.
Honorary Governors
Honorary governors are ambassadors of the museum. These are well-known personalities from the region, who have agreed to support our museum. It is a way for us to underline their involvement and to thank them.
Hall of Fame members
Léandre LeGresley
Born in Grande-Anse and died in Shediac Bridge from pancreatic cancer. From 1947 to 1957, he was secretary-treasurer of the Association Acadienne d'Éducation. From 1943 to 1947, he was the editor of the newspaper l'Évangeline.
Board
Bernie Riordon
President
Irène DeGrâce
Consultant
Riba Riordon
Secretary
Kevin Mann
Consultant
Monique LeGresley
Treasurer
Fred O'Neil
Consultant
Jocelyne Thériault
Consultant
Valérie Brown-Tremblay
Consultant
Prices
Adult: $8
13-18 years old: $5
12 years and under: Free
65 and over: $5
Season pass: 30$