The streets and trails of Saint John, N.B., have no shortage of history. Whether it be a walk through King’s Square, around the uptown or along the oceanfront on the Harbour Passage, monuments and plaques commemorating the rich history of Canada’s oldest incorporated city are seemingly around every corner. Now there is another statue to seek during a Saint John stroll. Across from the HMCS Brunswicker naval reserve overlooking the harbour is a new commemorative monument that celebrates more than 200 years of Scottish heritage and contributions by its first settlers and descendants to the development of Saint John and the province. It was made possible by the Saint Andrew’s Society of Saint John, which has been serving the community since it was first formed back in 1798. “I’m so happy that people will get a chance to look at it, appreciate our history, and maybe it will excite more people to think about their heritage and what they could do to preserve it,” says Saint Andrew’s Society of Saint John past president David Nickerson. “The fact that we’re going for 228 years means that we’re doing something right, that people respect their heritage and their history.” The society, which is the oldest Saint Andrew’s Society in the country according to the group, has a mission to foster an appreciation of the traditions and history of Scotland, while also preserving and celebrating Scottish culture with the Saint John community. Over the course of 228 years in the community, the society has aided countless Scots and their descendants during times of need. Annual events held by the society that continue to honour and celebrate Scottish events include its St. Andrew’s Day dinner, Burns Night celebrations, as well as Tartan Day activities. Nickerson says the society use to have a garden that commemorated the Scottish people of Saint John at the foot of King Street by the old Barbour’s General Store before it was torn down. Since then, the society has been working with the city to find a new location for a place to commemorate the group. The monument itself has two sides. On the one is three pictures, one of the Scottish flag, another of famed lion rampant banner, and in the middle is the tartan colours of Saint John. Below is a blurb lasered into the granite providing details of how the society came to be. On the backside is a poem written by former society member John Rogerson titled “The Preses’ Chair’.” “It’s taken a long time and a lot of people dedicating a lot of time to get this to the finish line,” says Nickerson. “The Harbour Passage is a drawing card for tourists by the thousands and residents alike. People are running here, walking their dogs here, and the harbour is a place where lots of people landed, it’s a very special place in the city as a focal point.” Past president Gerald McRae says the work to bring the monument to the Harbour Passage first began in 2023. He believes the statue will be a much better way to honour the society than the former garden. “We had a saltire and flowers, and we had to keep changing them and they would fade and there was a little sign there on a wooden sign and faded away,” he points out. “This is not going to fade away, so that’s what I like about it.” Saint John Deputy Mayor John MacKenzie, who has Scottish roots, says the monument is a great addition to the many commemorations around the city. “Saint John is such a diverse city,” says the deputy mayor. “We have so many cultures here, and to have them displayed along Harbour Passage to show the visitors of Saint John exactly what Saint John’s made up of is a really nice feeling.” Vandalized monument update The new monument is made from granite, with all engravings lasered into the slab. Many other monuments in town are marked by a bronze plaque. A number of those plaques, including multiple along the Harbour Passage and in King’s Square, have been stolen in recent months and not yet replaced. That includes the cenotaph in the square. “We’re hoping for it to get it done, all done and fixed up for Remembrance Day and back to the way it should be,” says MacKenize. “It’s unfortunate that these things happen. I don’t understand it, but we’re working hard to try to get things back.” All the plaques from the cenotaph have been removed and returned to the Royal Canadian Legion ahead of planned restoration work in the coming weeks. The deputy mayor couldn’t provide a timeline for when other monument plaques will be restored, as most of them are not completely owned by the city. For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
