Started as a “mini-museum” and incorporated in 1978, the Tracadie Historical Museum is one of its kind in Canada. Home to two permanent and some rotating temporary exhibitions, the museum mainly focuses on presenting the history of leprosy in New Brunswick in the 19th century.
It aims to create a visual representation of what the leprosariums of Sheldrake Island and Tracadie looked like between 1844 and 1965. A model, various photos, a pharmacy and other objects that belonged to lepers all aid in visually presenting these historical hospitals. Additionally, Mi’kmaq artifacts and religious items can also be viewed here. The museum is located on the 2nd floor of the Sainte-Famille Academy.
Walking distance from the museum, a trail leads visitors to the historic Leper Cemetery, where multiple aligned crosses have the names of 59 lepers on them.
The museum is open from June to August from 9 am to 4:30 pm on weekdays and Saturdays by appointment.
