The Evolution of the Digby Agricultural Society

The history of Agricultural Societies began with a meeting took place in the Western District of Annapolis County on January 16th, 1819, at the Sessions House in the town of Digby. During this meeting, the residents established a society called the Digby Agricultural Society.

While some progress was made under this arrangement, the jurisdiction was too extensive for efficient practical work and did not yield corresponding profitable results. Nevertheless, this system continued for over twenty years.

In April 1840, a similar gathering was organized among the farmers in Hillsburgh and its vicinity. Wealthy farmers from the county attended a meeting on April 2nd, 1840, where decisions were made to establish a society called the Hillsburgh Agricultural Society. It’s important to note that although this society was named after Hillsburgh, it was organized in Digby Township. The By-Laws allowed for the enrollment of any resident of Digby County or Clements Township who paid an annual fee of five shillings in advance and signed the By-Laws.

The organization formed in 1840 laid the foundation for the present-day Digby Central Agricultural Society, and it remained in operation until 1856.

In 1865, under the “Encouragement of Agriculture” Act, the Clare Society was established, consisting of 64 members, each paying $1 in advance. The Clare Society received $88 out of a $240 provincial grant allocated to Digby County, with Augustine F. Comeau serving as President. Simultaneously, the Weymouth Agricultural Society, with 61 members, received $84 in grant funds. Another new society was formed, with William H. Dahlgren as its president.

In 1872, the Union Agricultural Society of St. Mary’s Bay, including members from Brighton, Barton, Plympton Northa, and South Range, was established, with William H. Haines as President. This society enrolled 49 members.

Around 1879, the Digby Northern Agricultural Society was founded by Rev. Jon Ambrose, covering residents from Digby, Mount Pleasant, Culloden, and the eastern portion of the Peninsula between Fundy and St. Mary’s. This group eventually merged with the Digby Central Agricultural Society.

During the same period, another Hillsburgh Agricultural Society, located east of the Bear River outlet, was formed, with John V. Thomas as President.

On July 21, 1890, the New Tusket Agricultural Society was established, boasting 43 members.

A group of affluent citizens in Weymouth came together to establish the Digby County Exhibition Company, aiming to purchase grounds and erect a building suitable for an Agricultural Exhibition, a skating rink, and a hall for general purposes. They constructed a fine exhibition building on the western side of the Old Post Road from Digby to Yarmouth, approximately three-quarters of a mile north from Weymouth Bridge.

In 1890, the Hillsburgh Society purchased a site on the southern side of Cross Street, stretching from Bear River Village to the mouth of the River, from William E. Rice. An exhibition hall was soon erected on this site, representing a significant achievement for the community.

Trustees Charles D. Rice and William E. Dun were elected to oversee the Agricultural Hall in Bear River.

Local societies hosted exhibitions whenever they saw fit. A county exhibition took place in Digby on October 8, 1890, and another exhibition was held in Weymouth on October 3, 1893. Over the course of three years, significant progress was made in various areas, including stock breeding, fruit cultivation, and other valuable branches, leading to substantial profits and improvements that were deemed indispensable.