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Picture of the Day
A picture a day celebrating the local history and culture surrounding Lord Beaverbrook.
Built in 1877, the Beaverbrook House is only ten years younger than Canada itself!
Beaverbrook and good friend Winston Churchill aboard the HMS Prince of Wales.
A copy of "The Taking of Vimy Ridge" hangs in the parlour
Beaverbrook bought his former home in 1952 and turned it into Newcastle’s first library, donating items like this portrait.
Beaverbrook shipped this player piano across the pond along with 10,000 books for the opening of the Old Manse Library.
Pushing on 100 years old, these paintings were done in the 1920's by Charlie Mackenzie.
The Old Manse Library
Max Aiken's name carved into the brick of the Beaverbrook House.
All of the woodwork and detailing around the house was done by hand in 1877.
Here, we have an artist's very detailed drawing of Newcastle in 1881.
Major Allan Aitken (top left) was a brother of Beaverbrook's who fought in France during WWI, earning a Military Cross April 1917
Letter presented to King George VI and Queen Elizabeth by the City of Newcastle during their visit to Canada in 1939.
Rev. William Aitken, Beaverbrook's father, served as the local minister from 1880 until his retirement in 1902.
The Old Manse Library housed a music room with soundproof booths. Here people enjoyed newly invented vinyl records.
Made by Lambeth Pottery in London, these footwarmers (stoneware hot-water bottles) date back to the 1860s.
This fireplace, carved from purple slate from the UK which can be dated back to the 1800's, is one of three coal-burning fireplaces in the house.
"It is wise of you my dear Aitken to wish to follow my fortunes. When + if there are any I will let you know. Yours surely, Winston Churchill"
-Churchill to Beaverbrook, 11 November 1915
Fishing rod and lures belonging to Lord Beaverbrook. Beaverbrook takes his name after his favourite childhood fishing spot.
Originally hung in the Newcastle Town Hall, known now as the Beaverbrook Kin Centre, this portrait shows Beaverbrook as a 42-year-old--with a suspiciously full head of hair, added by the artist upon the subject's request.
"Beaverbrook House" by Cathleen Richards-Green, 2016
Oils on stretched canvas.
"A late summer day at Beaverbrook House"
Check out this globe that's been with us since the days of the Old Manse Library! You'll see the New Brunswick area is considerably faded from so many people pointing out Miramichi.
Rev. William Aitken, Beaverbrook's father, was the first minister to occupy the house as a manse from 1880 to 1902.
Miramichi, during Beaverbrook's childhood, was a bustling port city and home to the Cunard Shipping Line. The Cunard Shipping Line would eventually be sold to England's White Star Line, the builders of the Titanic.
Acknowledgment of commemorative service presented to Major Allen Aitken when receiving the Scroll of Commission.
Commission presented to Allan Aitken, Beaverbrook's brother, on entering military service in World War I. Visit our Facebook page for a full transcript of the document!
A model Spitfire plane. As Minister of Aircraft Production (May 12, 1940 to April 30, 1941), Beaverbrook had a hand in the manufacturing of these types of planes, increasing Britain's supply of aircraft by 450 planes between May and September of 1941.
Jane Noble, Lord Beaverbrook's mother, was the daughter of wealthy shopkeepers in Maple, Ontario.
Photo credit: New Brunswick Museum, Saint John, N.B.; 1989-108-350
Our newly installed plaque celebrating Beaverbrook's status as a National Historic Person! Pop by to learn more!
205 year old cradle of Richard Hutchinson, one of the Gilmour, Rankin & Co.'s owners, famous builders of the 22 A. B. C. ships of Miramichi which were built in alphabetical order from the Annie Laurie to the Vigilante.
This Hurdy Gurdy comes from Barcelona, Spain. Given by Beaverbrook to the library in the '50's to aid in children's musical education.
Picture of Beaverbrook's 75th birthday party in London, England. His staff built a copy of his childhood home and men dressed as lumberjacks sang maritime folk songs in front of it during the party.
Aerial view of Cherkley Court, which Beaverbrook bought for 30 000 pounds in 1910 for his family. Located outside of Leatherhead.
Cane of R.B. Bennett, PM of Canada from 1930-35 and friend of Beaverbrook. Has coat of arms and motto "Primi Non Opprimi" ("To be pleased, not oppressed"). The cane also has Bennett's name engraved with the date 26 January, 1939.
Wedding dress worn by Minnie Russell, early 1900's. Hand made out of ecru silk and inset lace.
Beaverbrook House isn't oriented for the front of the building to be on the main road--not anymore, at least. When the House was first built, Mary Street was a main road in Newcastle, not the King George Highway!
Beaverbrook in Miramichi on Oct 15, 1953, laying the cornerstone of the Newcastle Community Center, now the Beaverbrook Kin Center.
Beaverbrook campaigned for Imperial Preference most of his political life in Britain. This would establish free trade between the Empire and its dominions, making leaving harder as the economy became more dependent on trade with Britain.
Original to the House, this beautiful hand-carved railing runs all the way from the ground floor to the third.
Beaverbrook's childhood saw the rational dress reform movement from the 1850's gain momentum as many united against "tightlacing" in corsets.
As head of the Canadian War Records Office, Beaverbook published newspaper "Canada in Flanders" to celebrate Canada's contributions in World War I
Music room of the Old Manse Library. Beaverbrook's donations included advanced-by-the-times vinyl record players and a collection of records.
Photo from around 1900 of the parlor at Beaverbrook House, before the paintings featured previously were installed.
A young Lord Beaverbrook shared this third-floor bedroom with his brother, Traven.
Lord Beaverbrook celebrating his 85th birthday. Beaverbrook died on June 9, 1964, at the age of 85, only 15 days after this photo was taken.
Miramichi Art Core Gallery Exhibit 2017
From July 28 to Aug 31, 2017, the Beaverbrook House was home to a small art exhibit loaned to us by the Miramichi Art Gallery located at the W.S. Loggie Cultural Center. Be sure to check them out at 222 Wellington Street, Chatham, Miramichi, NB! Open daily from July to Labour Day, the 18th Century Victorian home houses art on the main floor, with guides who are members of the Art Core to aid with the art.
W.S. Loggie Cultural Center is located at 222 Wellington Street, Chatham, Miramichi, NB. Open Daily with art on display on the main floor and guides to assist with the art.
"John 7: 37-39" by Isabelle Matchett, 2016.
Acrylic on canvas.
"An abstraction "Living Water"."
"John 1:14" by Isabelle Matchett, 2016.
Acrylic on canvas.
"An abstract painting on "New Life"."
"Hay Island Lighthouse" by Cathleen Richards-Green, 2015.
Oils on canvas.
"The Hay Island Lighthouse off Neguac painted en plein air"
"Beaverbrook House" by Cathleen Richards-Green, 2016
Oils on stretched canvas.
"A late summer day at Beaverbrook House"
"Boy with Dog" by Rick Mullin, 2016.
Acrylic on Canvas.
"Miramichi Bay" by Rick Mullin, 2016.
Acrylic on c.anvas
"Clover" by Sonja Mahabir, 2017.
Acrylic on canvas.
"Horse Grazing in a Field."
"Mountains" by Nancy Gray Leger.
Oil on canvas.
"Mountain view with birch trees at front."
"Bluejay" by Nancy Gray Leger.
Oil on canvas.
"Bluejay on a branch"
"Whitney Shore #2" by Terry Mathews, 2000.
Oil on canvas.
"Shore at Whitney, NB".
'Ice Sailing on Miramichi (about 1900)" by Terry Mathews, 2013.
Acrylic on canvas.
"Painting of ice-sailing on the Miramichi River at Chatham"
Unveiling of Historic Plaque
A new plaque honouring Sir William Maxwell Aitken (Lord Beaverbrook) was unveiled by Parks Canada and the Historic Beaverbrook House Commission on Friday, June 23, 2017. These are just some of the pictures from the ceremony. More information here.
Geraldine Arsenault , Parks Canada field unit superintendent for Northern New Brunswick, speaks to the role of the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada.
Master of Ceremonies and Parks Canada field unit superintendent for Northern New Brunswick, Geraldine Arsenault.
Pat Finnigan, Member of Parliament for Miramichi-Grand Lake, speaks to the history of Lord Beaverbrook at the unveiling.
Susan Butler, Director of the Miramichi Folk Song Festivale speaks Beaverbrook and Manny's contribution to the festival.
Shirley Brown, Chair of the Beaverbrook House Commission, speaks to the house's history and the many people who helped it on its journey to National Historic Site.
Plaque commemorating Beaverbrook as a National Historic Person
Unveiled at Lord Beaverbrook's Childhood Home June 23, 2017.
Unveiling to Plaque.
From Left to Right: Shirley Brown (Chair, Beaverbrook House Commission), Susan Butler (Director, Miramichi Folk Song Festival), Pat Finnigan (Member of Parliament, Miramichi-Grand Lake)
Unveiling to Plaque.
From Left to Right: Shirley Brown (Chair, Beaverbrook House Commission), Susan Butler (Director, Miramichi Folk Song Festival), Pat Finnigan (Member of Parliament, Miramichi-Grand Lake)
Kevin Brawn, summer student and portrayer of Lord Beaverbrook
Kevin Brawn, summer student and portrayer of Lord Beaverbrook, toasts the unveiling of the historic plaque
Kevin and Alex, Summer Students & Tour Guides
Singer and guitarist Joanne Lynch providing folk music to guests at the ceremony.
Left to Right:
Shirley Brown, and Geraldine Arsenault (Parks Canada field unit superintendent for Northern New Brunswick) look on as MP Pat Finnigan, and Susan Butler cut the first slice of cake.
Cutting of the cake.
Beaverbrook House Commission.
Dr. Louise Manny Gala
In conjunction with the 60th Folksong Festival Anniversary, Heritage Week and NB Museum, Beaverbrook House hosted a four day gala event detailing the history of Dr. Louise Manny from February 13-16, 2017.
Exhibit at Dr. Louise Manny Gala.
Exhibit at Dr. Louise Manny Gala.
Exhibit at Dr. Louise Manny Gala.
Exhibit at Dr. Louise Manny Gala.
Exhibit at Dr. Louise Manny Gala.
Summer 2016
We were visited by many talented artists and performers in 2016: Missy Burgess, The Aviation Art Exhibit, Winter's Warmth, and Lord Beaverbrook himself (portrayed by Kevin Brawn)!
Missy Burgess performing at the Beaverbrook House
Missy Burgess
One of the paintings which visited the Beaverbrook House as part of the The Aviation Art Exhibit on July 9, 2016.
One of the paintings which visited the Beaverbrook House as part of the The Aviation Art Exhibit on July 9, 2016.
One of the paintings which visited the Beaverbrook House as part of the The Aviation Art Exhibit on July 9, 2016.
"Winter's Warmth" playing at the Historic Beaverbrook House on July 1, 2016
"Winter's Warmth" guitarist
"Winter's Warmth" guitarist Ryan Jenkins.
"Winter's Warmth" fiddler Alex Loggie.
A quick break in between songs.
A close up of the band performing.
Another great showing for "Winter's Warmth" at the Beaverbrook House
Kevin Brawn as Lord Beaverbrook
Max Aitken Day 2014
Pictures from the Max Aitken Day celebrations July 6, 2014.
Max Aitken Day started at the Beaverbrok House with a barbecue.
Guests celebrating Max Aitken Day
The day ended with a river tour at 3;30 PM. Thank you Captain Azade Hache!