Berwick’s Apple Capital Museum showcasing community history in summer series

BY SARA KEDDY

Kings County Register

Berwick’s Apple Capital Museum is ready for a summer of history.

With two back-to-back talks wrapping up July, volunteers with the museum society are sure visitors will learn more and have fun talking about their own communities.

July 28, Mike Larsen is on the roster, for a 7 p.m. talk on the history of Berwick’s largest remaining industry, Larsens. Mike Larsen was the third generation in his family to work at the pork processing plant, founded by his grandfather, Henry, in 1940 as a two-man butchering operation. Larsens now employs close to 400 people and sends products throughout the Maritimes and beyond. “I hope I can keep them entertained,” Larsen says. “I started hanging around the plant when I was pretty young, and I have a fair amount of literature in my grandfather’s words and writing.”

Henry Larsen was the oldest of seven children, arriving as immigrants in Halifax the week the stock market crashed in 1929. “The immediate challenge was to find work, and there was about a 10-year period where he spent time on farms and doing hard labour. Times were tough.”

The senior Larsen finally saw an opportunity to open his own business in a run-down property in Berwick. “It’s amazing to see what it’s grown from to what it’s become,” Mike Larsen says.

Waterville resident and historian Randy Rockwell will speak July 30 at 7 p.m. on the village’s early history - it’s development, families and businesses. Last year, close to 40 people turned out for his collection of village pictures. Rockwell says he’ll probably do “a little more talking” this time, but will also bring along a good number of old pictures.

Fridays through July and August, don’t forget to drop into the lunchtime hotdog BBQ at the museum. The event is organized by summer staff to raise funds for the society and bring people into the museum on a regular basis. The Apple Capital Museum features Berwick’s visitor information centre, so all your provincial tourism information is available. There is also a live bee display - watch them making their honey, travelling back and forth through a clear tube to the great outdoors, and see if you can spot the queen! The back garden is maintained by volunteers, there are washrooms and public internet service, displays from local businesses and attractions, and a small gift shop area.