Kings Landing Historical Settlement facts for kids
Kings Landing is a unique museum in New Brunswick, Canada. It's called a "living history museum" because it brings the past to life! You can see original buildings from the years 1820 to 1920. These buildings were saved and moved here when the Mactaquac Dam was built.
Even though Kings Landing was never a real village, it shows what rural New Brunswick was like. Many early settlers were Loyalists from the United States. They were called United Empire Loyalists in Canada. People from Scotland, Ireland, and England also settled here. Kings Landing is about 40 kilometers west of Fredericton, New Brunswick. It's located in a community called Lower Prince William.
This museum shows how people lived in the 1800s and early 1900s. It's not a copy of one specific village. Instead, it's a collection of real buildings moved from different places in New Brunswick. Most of these buildings have been carefully restored to look like they did in specific years. The project started in the late 1960s. New buildings are still being added today!
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Exploring Kings Landing: Buildings and Exhibits
At Kings Landing, you can explore more than a dozen old houses. Most of these houses are original buildings. Inside, friendly employees dress in old-fashioned costumes. They welcome visitors and show what daily life was like. You might see them doing chores, cooking meals from the past, or making old-time crafts.
There are also "trades" buildings. These are like the shops and businesses that people owned long ago. Many of these jobs needed special training. You can visit the Print Shop, where newspapers were made. There's also a Sash and Door Factory, Gorham's Carpenter Shop, and Dennin's Blacksmith Shop.
Because it's a living museum, these buildings are often still working! Skilled artisans sometimes make goods and offer services. You might even see them selling items in the shops. The museum also has many barns with farm animals. You can see chickens, geese, large work horses, and oxen. These animals are not just for show. The chickens lay eggs, the cows give milk, and the horses pull wagons for visitors. This helps you get around the village.
Places to Visit at Kings Landing
- Welcome Centre
- Children's Play Park
- Heritage Gallery
- Summer Stage
- C.B. Ross Factory Gallery & Workshop
- Gordon Gallery
- The Hagerman House
- The Joslin Farm
- The Jones Farm
- Sawmill
- Gristmill
- King's Head Inn Restaurant & Pub
- The Lint House
- The Blacksmith
- Ox Barn
- The Long House
- St. Mark's Church (Anglican)
- Carpenter Shop
- The Heustis House
- The Fisher House
- The Donaldson House
- The Ingraham House
- The Morehouse Farm
- The Grant Store
- The Perley House
- Parish School
- The Peddler's Market (Gift Shop)
- The Killeen Cabin
- Riverside Presbyterian Church
- The Print Shop
- Axe and Plough Café
Special Events and Historical Fun
Kings Landing often hosts special events on weekends. These events are like plays that bring New Brunswick's history to life. They usually happen around certain dates or times of the year. For example, around July 1st, you might see the Confederation Debate. Actors play important historical figures like Charles Fisher and William Needham.
Visitors can learn about the discussions that led to the creation of Canada. You are encouraged to join in! You can ask questions and even "vote" on the issues. It's a fun way to experience history firsthand.
Workshops: Learn Old-Time Skills
Kings Landing also offers workshops during its open hours. These are great opportunities to learn about 19th-century tasks and crafts. You can learn how to make candles, care for bees, or try woodworking. There are several other interesting workshops too! It's a chance to try skills from long ago.
The History of Kings Landing
The idea for Kings Landing started in 1967. The government of New Brunswick created a program to save important cultural things. Many historical buildings were going to be lost because of the Mactaquac Dam project. So, the idea was to create a "living museum" to preserve them.
Kings Landing first opened its doors to the public in 1971. The official opening ceremony happened on July 20, 1974. A few years later, in 1976, Elizabeth II, the Queen of England, and Prince Philip even visited the site!
