William Brydone Jack Observatory

The William Brydone Jack Observatory is an octagonal tower on the University of New Brunswick campus topped with a copper-clad rotating roof and wooden siding. Inside, the original 1849 Merz and Son telescope still occupies the tower room, and a ground-floor gallery displays various historical astronomical instruments.

The building was constructed in 1851 and became the first astronomical observatory established in British North America. It received national historic site designation in 1954 in recognition of its pioneering role.

William Brydone Jack advanced scientific standards through astronomical research and precise longitude measurements while serving as a mathematics professor at Kings College.

The observatory operates with limited visiting hours and is located in the middle of the university campus. Check in advance for guided tour availability and plan to spend time examining both the instruments and the building's distinctive architecture.

The observatory helped establish accurate longitude measurements for Fredericton through collaboration with Harvard University, work that resolved boundary disputes in international mapping. This contribution to geographic precision remains a quiet but significant part of its legacy.

Location: Fredericton

Official opening: 1851

Address: 5 Bailey Drive

GPS coordinates: 45.94806,-66.64056

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:08