Abraham Gesner Symposium Set for Fundy Museum

A symposium based on the work of Abraham Gesner, geologist and doctor, will take place at the Fundy Geological Museum in Parrsboro this weekend, Sept. 15-17.

Mr. Gesner lived in Partridge Island Settlement, now known as Parrsboro, in the early 1800s. He is most prominently known for his discovery of kerosene.

The symposium will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, with a field trip to Albert Mines, located outside of Moncton, N.B. Mr. Gesner collected Albertite in this area, using it in his research on kerosene.

On Saturday, beginning at 8:30 a.m. at the museum, the symposium will feature the following presenters: Elizabeth H. Haigh, history professor at Saint Mary's University in Halifax; Hans Durstling, a writer and researcher from Moncton; Harold E. Wright, Heritage Resources, Saint John, N.B.; Randy Miller, curator of geology at the New Brunswick Museum, Saint John, N.B.; and John Calder, Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources.

A dinner will be held on Saturday evening, beginning at 7 p.m. at the Ottawa House Museum in Parrsboro. The Ottawa House Museum is the only standing building from the former community of Partridge Island Settlement where Mr. Gesner lived for 10 years.

The symposium will conclude on Sunday, Sept. 16, with a field trip to Spicer's Cove - an area where Mr. Gesner may have conducted research during his stay in the area. The field trip begins at 8:30 a.m.

Registration for the symposium takes place at the Fundy Geological Museum, from Friday to Sunday. For information on fees and agendas please call 902-254-3814.