Wild Blueberry & Maple Centre
& Visitor Information Centre

105 Lower Main Street
Phone (902) 447-2908
 

Overview

Upon entering the Centre, you are welcomed by our friendly and knowledgeable staff. As you proceed into the exhibits area, you will be introduced to the Wild Blueberry & Maple industries and learn of their relevance and importance to the Nova Scotia economy.

You will feel like you are in an open blueberry field in the summertime as you see a little of the Wild Blueberry industry's harvesting and exporting history. More exhibits and displays explain the biology of wild blueberries, how producers prune, pollinate and take care of the berries, and finally how they are harvested. A glass encased live bee colony demonstrates how the busy workers pollinate the fields. As well as information on important nutritional and medicinal properties of wild blueberries that researchers are beginning to explore.

The seasons change as you enter into the maple exhibits. You will find exhibits on the traditional sugar camp, and history of sugaring time in Cumberland County. You will learn of different species of maple trees, and see in depth descriptions of the running of the sap, including a model of a tree trunk cut out so that the flow can be demonstrated. You will learn how maple trees are tapped and how the sap is collected and processed into maple syrup, maple butter and maple cream.

Throughout the entire self-guided tour, you will see both Wild Blueberry and Maple industry tools and implements lent to us by local producers. Some are now obsolete, while others have only been lent to us for the "off" season.

After your tour get interactive as you take a more in-depth look at the Wild Blueberry and Maple industries at our multi-media displays; sit, relax and try a taste of some wild blueberry and maple food and beverages in our self-serve food corner; browse through our retail area and take home some wild blueberry and maple merchandise and mementos or take a stroll on the grounds, beautifully landscaped with wild blueberries and maple trees, and overlooking Black River.

Gift Store

We carry a wide selection of products in the gift store.  You will find a variety of blueberry products including wild blueberry tea, chocolate bars, bath sets and apparel with our centre logo.  We also carry a variety of maple products - syrup, candies, tea, sauces and soaps.  You will also find post cards, magnets, ornaments, and many other items.  Stop in and browse or call and we can arrange to ship products for your convenience. 

(902) 447-2908

C@P Site

C@P is an acronym for Community Access Program and is an initiative of Industry Canada. It was developed to help provide rural and remote communities with affordable public access to the Internet.  The Wild Blueberry and Maple Centre currently has 5 computers connected to the Internet for public use.  One computer is an "express" terminal for visitors who need to check their e-mail or make reservations quickly (maximum use of 15 minutes - free to use).

Computer Use:

• 1/2 hour Usage $1.00
• Three Month Membership $10.00

Printing Cost:

• Black $0.25 (per page)
• Color $1.00 (per page)

History

In early 1996, the success of the first Spring Maple Tour and Field Day operated by the Oxford Parks and Recreation Commission sparked renewed interest in the concept of a permanent facility to celebrate the blueberry and maple industry and its contribution to the economy of the County. Combining maple with blueberry seemed a natural fit, given that most maple producers are also blueberry producers, and both industries are centered in Cumberland County.

About that same time, the Bank of Nova Scotia decided to move its branch out of the downtown and into a vacant building at the edge of Town. The older bank building was offered to the Town, and there lay the beginnings of the Wild Blueberry & Maple Centre. After two years of research and planning, the Wild Blueberry & Maple Centre was borne.

In addition to educating and entertaining visitors, the Wild Blueberry & Maple Centre was designed to serve as a showcase for two major industries, as a facility to increase product awareness, as a test marketing facility and as a retail sales area for both maple and wild blueberry food products and related merchandise.

The goals of the project were straight-forward. First and foremost, it was to be a tourism project designed to create a substantial and first-class attraction to bring tourists and visitors into the Town. A second goal, was to encourage the merchants of the town to be more tourism-oriented, and bring in the goods and services that visitors are looking for. The final goal of the project was to raise the awareness of the Wild Blueberry and Maple industries, and of the related consumer products that are available world-wide. We want visitors to learn about wild blueberries and maple, and to look for these products when they return home.

Thanks to visitors, staff and volunteers, we're well on our way to achieving our goals.