Fort Lawrence

Fort Lawrence is a national historic site located on a ridge in Nova Scotia where British soldiers built a defensive structure in 1750. The remains now sit partially beneath a modern dairy farm, though ongoing archaeological work continues to uncover military artifacts and structural elements from the colonial period.

British troops built the fort in 1750 as a strategic response to French expansion during the territorial disputes of the mid-1700s. Its military purpose became obsolete after nearby Fort Beauséjour fell to British forces, leading to the garrison's withdrawal in 1755.

This place holds deep meaning for Acadian communities as the site where families faced separation and forced removal during the 1750s territorial conflicts. The memory of this upheaval remains central to how local people understand their heritage and regional identity.

The site is open for visits, though the fort itself lies mostly hidden beneath agricultural land, so visible structures are limited. Interpretive markers and information panels on location help explain the buried layout and ongoing discoveries from excavation work.

Around 86 Acadian prisoners managed to dig a tunnel beneath the fort's wall and escape while held captive in late 1755. This breakout remains a striking testament to their determination to resist forced deportation and is remembered as a pivotal moment of defiance.