Glory days return to
Wedgeport
The pioneer Acadian village of Wedgeport, settled
in 1767, by returning Acadians deported from Nova Scotia to the Boston area, was once
known as the Sport Tuna Fishing Capital of the World. It attracted rich and famous
visitors from around the world including President Franklin Roosevelt, Kate Smith, Gene
Tunney, Amelia Earhart, Ethel Dupont, Ernest Hemingway, Tony Hulman, Jean Béliveau and
many others. It also hosted the International Tuna Cup Match from the 1930s to the 1970s,
when teams from around the globe converged on Wedgeport to compete for the Sharp Cup.
These fish could weigh-in at 800 pounds and more and the "reeling-in" could take
hours. In 1949, 1780 Bluefin Tuna were landed.
The Wedgeport Sport Tuna Fishing Museum and Interpretive Centre features
hundreds of mementos, pictures, fishing rods, mock tuna boat etc. has been open since 1
July 1996. The quayside museum project is connected to the old Tuna Club, now used by the
Wedgeport Retired Fishermen Association. Both are situated at the famous Tuna Wharf.
The opening of the
museum in pictures
taken July 1, 1996.
View of the crowd and the museum.
 
Stuart Peeler an American sportsmen shares some
great souvenirs of sport tuna fishing in Wedgeport and its people.
View of the crowd and the museum.
Ed Migdalski, Department head of the outdoor
recreation program at Yale University and founder of the intercollegiate match held at
Wedgeport.
Inside view of the museum.
Inside view of the museum
La Baie en Joie were part of the opening ceremonies.
View of the stage and crowd at the official opening.
TOP
Distinguished visitors
at the museum
Sheila Copps, seated, Federal Government of
Canada Minister pays a visit to the Wedgeport museum in 1997. With her, left to right,
Rosalie (Pothier) Hattie, volunteer guide at the museum, Allister Surette, Nova Scotia
Government Minister and Member for Argyle, Jimmy Boudreau of Wedgeport dressed in a
Gabriel costume and Harry Varren, Federal Member for West Nova. |
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