Ron & Anne in Canada; 2016: Fredericton, New Brunswick.

New Brunswick's legislative assembly building. ( Parliament).

Yesterday was another long drive day- some 300 miles from Cape Breton to Fredericton, the capital city of New Brunswick. This is the next state west to Nova Scotia, and at one time was part of it.

Off and on for over 100 years, the French and British fought over the state, but in 1768 the British prevailed. In 1783 many loyalists came over the nearby border from the USA during the American Revolution, and settled the area. Shortly afterwards the Loyalists requested that New Brunswick became a separate state, and named their capital after the second son of King George 111, Frederick.

It wasn't until 1845 that Queen Victoria granted the right to build a cathedral here, and granted city status, although the town was not big enough officially. This is thought to be the first Cathedral in North America built in the mid 19th century Gothic Revival style. It was modelled after a medieval parish church in the south of England, and in 1983 it was declared a National Historical Site.

Not too far away is City Hall, where the elected mayor has been in office for 30 years. He must be doing a good job. Built in 1876 it includes the council offices, the council chamber as well as a tourist information office. There is an unusual clock in the tower, built by a company from Croydon. the movement is on view on the first floor, but the pendulum goes through to the foyer below.

Within the council chamber itself are 27 tapestries depicting Fredericton's history, produced in 1985 to honour the town's 200th anniversary. Some are reproduced below.

With it's history as a military town, Fredericton has a Barracks Square nearby. The Guard house is preserved much as it was when it was built in 1829, home to the 12 man guard. There were also 7 cells inside, windowless stone cubicles with a tiny air hole high up in the wall. Next door is the four storey barracks which at one time house over 200 soldiers, 19 to a room. One of the other buildings is still in use by the local Army Cadets, who we saw parading on the Quadrangle this morning. This afternoon we attended a concert, two hours of extremely talented youngsters performing in the local arts centre. Vivian Ni is an accomplished pianist and violinist who has received many accolades, and has played in Carnegie Hall. We heard 16 artists altogether , some as young as ten years old, playing piano, violin, cello and flute. They performed Bach, Schubert, Chopin and Beethoven, among other less well known composers. It was an afternoon to remember.