Fort Sackville

Fort Sackville is a military museum in Bedford situated on a hill above the Sackville River, featuring displays about colonial military activities in Nova Scotia. The site includes reconstructed structures such as a blockhouse, officers' quarters, and guard room that show the fort's original 120-foot square layout.

The British built Fort Sackville in September 1749 under John Gorham's command to defend Halifax against potential threats during Father Le Loutre's War. A military expedition led by Captain Francis Bartelo in 1750 marked a significant moment, as Bartelo later died in combat at this location.

The museum displays objects that show how British settlers, Acadians, and Mi'kmaq people lived and interacted during the 1700s. These items reveal the relationships and tensions that existed between these groups in the region.

The site sits on a hillside overlooking the river, which makes it easy to get oriented and offers views while walking around the grounds. Visitors can explore the reconstructed spaces from different angles and understand how the location fits into its surroundings.

The museum preserves records about the 1750 expedition led by a specific officer whose role in regional conflicts is documented through surviving materials. These documents provide insight into how this location figured in the broader military struggles of the period.