Wolfville

Best known as the home to Acadia University (established in 1838 - go Axemen!), the town of Wolfville finds itself at the heart of Nova Scotia's ever expanding wine industry – many of the province's nearly two dozen wineries surround this town.

The Mi'kmaq called this area Mtaban, meaning “mud-catfish catching ground”. Acadians began to settle this area around 1680, utilizing their system of dykes to turn former salt marshes to fertile land for crops. During the Acadian deportation over 2,000 Acadians were removed from this area, which was later settled by New England planters. The town became known as Mud Creek until 1830 when the name was changed to Wolfville for the prominent DeWolf family. Wolfville was incorporated in 1893 (Happy 125th Birthday Wolfville!) and today is home to 4,195 residents. 

I visited Wolfville on June 24th, and here's what I found:

1. Selfie – Nabbed a photo of meself in front of the Wolfville town sign on Main Street.

2. Visitor’s Centre – Attended the Visitor's Centre beside Willow Park.

3. Museum – Checked out Wolfville Historical Society and Randall House Museum located on Main Street, around the corner from Willow Park. Learned a great deal about the history of Wolfville and the amazing Mona Parsons, the only Canadian civilian woman imprisoned by the Nazis in WWII.

4. Food – Troy is a personal favorite, and although I've been there several times while travelling for work, I took the opportunity to indulge once again. I'm never disappointed in their amazing Mediterranean cuisine. 

Well into the cider before I took a pic - oops!

5. Drink – Trying to decide on a local beverage in the middle of Nova Scotia's wine county is a task on par with Sophie's choice. So I avoided this conundrum went with cider, imbibing in a flight at Annapolis Cider Company. Who knew there could be so many varieties of cider? (All delicious, by the way.)

6. Public Space – Lots of walking trails to choose from, but we decided on a section of the Harvest Moon Trail that follows the old rail line running through the downtown.

Part of the Harvest Moon Trail

7. Art – There were a few painted Adirondack chairs along our travels, but I was particularly impressed with a funky painted piano found in a gazebo along the Harvest Moon Trail. Several fellow travelers tickled the ivories and provided a lovely soundtrack to our hike. 

Feel like playing?

8. Swag – Procured a “Wolfville” pin at the Visitor's Centre.

When should you go? Check out Mud Creek Days (July 27-29), Deep Roots Music Festival (September 27-30) and Devour! The Film Food Fest (October 24-28).

A little bit of trivia: The first licence plate issued in Nova Scotia was to Wolfville resident William Black in 1907 for his Oldsmobile Touring Car.

Up next: This town's port is the largest by tonnage in Nova Scotia, and one of the largest by tonnage in Canada. Find out where on Wednesday!