Fish Point

Project Phases

The Society is committed to moving forward to further develop and protect this historical site in a multi-year project with a proposed end date in 2022.

1. Phase I of the “Yarmouth Bar Project” comprises of historical research of Fish Point, Bunker Island, the Beacon (Bug) Light, Stanwood’s Beach and Yarmouth Bar. Information collected will be used for the development and installation of information panels at the Fish Point site. These panels further the preservation of local history for our residents and for visitors from around the world.

2. Phase II will be applying for Municipal Heritage Status and completing groundwork to preserve the land from further erosion.

3. Phase III will be securing Provincial Heritage Status and, in partnership with the Municipality of the District of Yarmouth, work toward a Cultural Landscape Designation through the Heritage Properties Act.

Throughout the phases of this project, YCHS will be developing an online web site containing historical stories and photographs collected during the project for the availability of the Historical Society and the general public. This is a part of a larger YCHS initiative to make more historical information from our collections available online.

Project Milestones

September 27, 2018 – Proposal submitted for the enhancement of the Fish Point Memorial (research information, produce information panels, prevent flooding and erosion). The motion to move forward with this project was carried by the YCHS board.
October 25, 2018 - Fish Point & Yarmouth Bar History Project development started. Project members: Mike Cunningham, Nadine Gates, Charles Winship and Gert Sweeney.
February 2019 – The project group begins panel design and begins fundraising activities and grant applications. The YCHS board approves a motion that the society commits $1000 toward the Fish Point & Yarmouth Bar History Project and the society applies for a Strategic Development Initiative Grant as additional funding.
March 1, 2019 – Presentation given on the project and history of Fish Point, Stanwood’s Beach and Yarmouth Bar in the Educational Wing of the museum. The presentation results in a CJLS “Weekender” interview and an article about the project in the Vanguard newspaper. Alan Pinn, a graphic designer joins the project as a full-time committee member. Application to the Municipality of the District of Yarmouth for additional funding of this project.
April 30, 2019 - A Fish Point Panel project open house and fundraiser was held in the Education Wing of the museum Tuesday evening, April 30th with another presentation being given to good attendance. Meetings of the Fish Point committee working on panel design and project activities are now being held on a weekly basis.
May 23, 2019 - Research and development of the 5 information panels for Fish point continue with good progress. Panel design is about 75% complete.
June 22, 2019 – A Family Fun Day Fund Raiser was held at Fish Point on June 22, with excellent weather and a large turnout of local residents and others interested in the project. The Strategic Development Initiative grant application through Communities, Culture and Heritage for $6600.00 was approved. In addition, a $2500 grant application to the Municipality of the District of Yarmouth was also approved. As of this date, the Fish Point & Yarmouth Bar History committee has achieved its funding goals set for Phase One of the project.
August 24, 2019 - The opening ceremony for the interpretive panels at Fish Point, was held on Aug. 24 at 1 p.m and it was a great success with over 100 people in attendance. Municipal Warden Leland Anthony presented an achievement to YCGHS president Peter Eldridge and municipal councillor Lorne Cushing presented one on behalf of MLA Zack Churchill. The five-panel project was developed by the Yarmouth County Historical Society’s (YCHS) historic sites committee and features information about the area on each panel. YCHS is still receiving great feedback on info panels and opening ceremony. Vehicle traffic at Fish Point has significantly increased.
October 2021 - The memorial plaque listing the names of those loved ones whose family and friends contributed to the project during the “Buy A Rock” campaign has been installed. In addition, the plaque recognizes the many supporters and other contributors who have helped the committee achieve what they have been able to do at Fish Point.
The next project phase for the committee is to raise $100,000 to protect Fish Point from erosion and to continue documenting the history for the online YCHS Fish Point and Yarmouth Bar history site.
Fundraising will continue throughout the next year for Phase II which includes raising the Fish Point terrain elevation by two feet and protecting the shoreline with armour (large) rock. The committee hopes to raise significant funds through the 'Save Fish Point – Buy a Rock' campaign. For $130.00, a donor can buy a 3-ton rock in memory of a loved one, on behalf of a family, individual or a company. Names to be put on plaque mounted to back of monument.
In our gift shop at the museum, we have "Save Fish Point" T-shirts at $18.00 and Fish Point stickers at $2.00 each.
The Fish Point committee is working on revising the Phase II project plan for next summer. A Highway sign and site sign promoting YCHS and site contributions will be added. Also, additional gravel fill for the site will be added, picnic tables, a garbage can and prep work for the adjacent site to the north will take place.