Argyle Township Court House & Archives - ATCHA

09/01/2026

Sharing this information on headstone cleaning and restoration on behalf of Toby Nickerson for anyone who may be interested.

08/31/2026

Summer may be winding down, but the Court House & Gaol Museum and “The Cell” Gift Shop are open for another 8 weeks! ✨

One of our summer students, Paige—pictured here by the Court House entrance—is staying on as an interpretive guide until the end of the season on October 23. Stop by for a tour Monday through Friday, from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM!

We would also like to wish all students, teachers, support staff, administrators, and everyone who works in our schools a happy ”Back to School”! 🎒

Also pictured here are the five students we had the pleasure of hiring for the summer of 2026. We are grateful for their hard work and contributions!

08/31/2026

🍁 Fall Hours Update: Court House & Gaol Museum and “Cell” Gift Shop 🍁

📅 Fall hours begin September 1 and remain in effect until October 23.
🕐 Monday to Friday, 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM

Please note that the Archives remain open year-round, Monday to Friday, from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. 😊

08/26/2026

Acadian Week/S’Maine Acadienne 2026 events at ATCHA 💙⭐🤍❤

08/26/2026

Old wells 🪣⛲

In the first photo, taken between 1900 and 1930 (approx.), Jessie Curtis (Ricker) Bartlett (1873–___) is getting water from a well. Jessie was the daughter of Sylvanus and Sarah (Frost) Ricker. She married Walter C. Bartlett. (ATCHA P2011:643)

The second photo was taken between 1920 and 1930 (approx.). Though the man standing behind the well is unidentified, we know that this image comes from a collection that originally belonged to Israel Joseph Pothier (___–1994) of Lower Wedgeport and his wife, Agnès “Émilie” (LeBlanc) Pothier (1908–1993) of Wedgeport. The couple had no children. Israel was the son of Joseph Pothier (1866–1955) and Louise Emma (LeBlanc) Pothier (1872–1967). Émilie was the daughter of Henri Adolphe LeBlanc (1861–1944) and Marie Clémente (Pothier) LeBlanc. (ATCHA P2010:859)

Lastly, the woman in the third photo was most likely a member of the Hatfield family. (ATCHA P1994:496)

08/21/2026

Please note that Argyle Township Court House Archives will also be closed at 1 PM on Tuesday, August 25, for a staff function. The Argyle Township Court House & Gaol Museum and Gift Shop will remain open as usual (until 4:30 PM).

Office Closure Notice

Please note that the Municipal Offices will close at 1:00 PM on Tuesday, August 25 for a staff function.

Regular office hours will resume on Wednesday, August 26.

Thank you for your understanding.

08/19/2026

Summers on the water 🚣

The first photo, taken between 1950 and 1951 (approx.), is of Sandra and Carmen Phinney in a boat in Birchdale, N.S. Sandra is standing, and Carmen is seated. (ATCHA P1993:617)

The second photo shows two unidentified girls in a rowboat. (ATCHA P1999:362)

The adult in the third photograph is Alison Lent (Hatfield) Gore (1922–___). Alison was the daughter of Allan Irving and Mildred Alison (Lent) Hatfield of Massachusetts and Tusket, N.S., and the wife of Philip Gore of the U.S. The boys are Jack Robert Hatfield (1941–___) and Paul Lent Hatfield (1943–___), sons of Paul Baker Lent and Thelma Hattie (Goodwin) Hatfield of Yarmouth, N.S. This photo was taken in 1949, possibly on the Tusket River. (ATCHA P2012:2145)

08/15/2026

What a wonderful S’Maine Acadienne we’ve had! Thanks to all who participated in our various events this week and who helped make it all happen. We will share photos soon. For now, Happy National Acadian Day! Bonne fête nationale de l’Acadie ! 💙⭐🤍❤️

Bonne fête nationale de l’Acadie! ⭐💙🤍❤️

Le 15 août, célébrons ensemble la richesse de la culture, de la langue, du patrimoine et des traditions acadiennes qui occupent une place si importante dans nos communautés d’Argyle.

Bonne fête nationale de l’Acadie à toutes et à tous!

On August 15, we celebrate the rich Acadian culture, language, heritage and traditions that are such an important part of our communities here in Argyle.

Wishing everyone a wonderful National Acadian Day filled with pride, celebration and joie de vivre! ⭐

08/12/2026

We hope everyone is enjoying the warm weather as much as the people in these photographs are! ☀️

The first photo is of a girl sitting in a field of sunflowers, possibly on Richard Rd. in Lower Wedgeport, Yarmouth Co., N.S. 🌻 (ATCHA P2003:180)

In the second photo, five unidentified women are playing croquet. 🏏 (ATCHA P2003:464)

The third photo, taken in 1952 (approx.), shows parents Myra (Crowell) and Charles Sanders, as well as their two daughters, Pamela and Esther. 🚲 (ATCHA P2003:763)

08/12/2026

Join Dan McIsaac for another Drumming and Sharing Circle at the Archives on Wednesday, August 19, from 6 PM to 8 PM.

Message from Dan:

“Whether you’re an experienced drummer or simply curious to explore rhythm in a welcoming environment, all are welcome. Together we’ll create everything from steady, grounding beats to lively syncopated rhythms, following the energy of the group as the evening unfolds.

There will also be opportunities to share thoughts, experiences, and reflections in a supportive and respectful circle.

Please bring your drum or favourite percussion instrument if you have one. Admission is free, although donations to support the ongoing work at the courthouse and archives are gratefully appreciated.

We look forward to making music, connecting, and sharing community with you.”