A home dating back to Acadian re-settlement in Digby County sits in second place in a national contest know as “The Next Great Save”.
La Vieille Maison in Meteghan dates back to the late 1700’s and is the most well-preserved Acadian home since the British-ordered deportation.
Between 1755-1764 thousands of Acadians were forced to leave their homes in the Maritimes and many died from starvation or shipwrecks. It’s know as the Great Expulsion or the Great Deportation.
The contest is to help a community save a heritage place that matters to them, with a $50,000 prize provided by Ecclesiastical Insurance.
The money can be used for a project that will adapt, renew or improve the heritage place for the future.
La Vieille Maison is in need of upgrades and has pulled in nearly 40,000 votes but trails the Duncan Train Station in B.C. by about 10,000 votes.
Its unmistakable roof has the colours of the Acadian flag proudly displayed but the home-turned-museum has been closed for nearly two decades.
Many Acadian artifacts still exist inside and community groups want to rejuvenate the museum to once again serve as an educational space.
There are only 10 days left to vote in the contest.