Pictou Island Heritage Society · Virtual Museum

Pictou Island Heritage Society

Preserving and sharing the history, stories, places and people of Pictou Island.

Explore Our History Search the Collection

This Week in Pictou Island History

1926

John Alexander “Jack Happy” MacDonald — fishing context

John Alexander “Jack Happy” MacDonald grew up in a large Pictou Island fishing family, the son of Angus Hector “Happy Angus” MacDonald and Adeline “Dollie” MacFarlane.

From the Island’s history. This account is dated to a year or period, rather than this calendar week.

Explore the Timeline

Historic Factory Road; Island working-life context — Factory Road · Island working-life context
Ray Hayman / PIHS collection

Gaelic on Pictou Island

A newspaper, a book, census entries and an Islander’s recollection illuminate the place of Gaelic in Island life.

Read the Article

Annabel “Bella” McCallum at a spinning wheel — Island household context; the photograph does not establish language use. · Andrea Rankin Sibley collection

Featured Exhibit

Stories, Signs & Superstitions

Folklore, belief and stories carried across generations

Explore the Exhibit View All Exhibits

Stories, Signs & Superstitions — PIHS collection

An Island life

John Alexander “Jack Happy” MacDonald

John Alexander MacDonald, remembered as Jack Happy, worked in lobster fishing and the canneries before becoming keeper of the West Lighthouse. His later recollections describe cannery work from the age of thirteen and owning fishing gear by seventeen, giving a personal view of working life along the Island shore.

Read the Biography Browse all biographies

Explore the Island

The Historical Map

Explore nineteen landmarks and follow their stories through the Island’s illustrated map.

Explore the Historical Map Shipwrecks & Strandings

Illustrated Pictou Island map with nineteen numbered landmarks — PIHS illustrated map · explore landmark stories on the interactive page.

From the Collection

Annabel “Bella” McCallum at a spinning wheel

Annabel “Bella” McCallum, identified in the Andrea Rankin Sibley collection, is pictured working at her spinning wheel.

View the Photograph Read Her Biography

Annabel Bella McCallum seated at a spinning wheel — Annabel “Bella” McCallum at a spinning wheel · Andrea Rankin Sibley collection

Explore the Collection

People

Families, residents and the lives of people connected with Pictou Island.

Explore People

Places

Roads, coves, buildings, cemeteries, community sites and changing landscapes.

Explore Places

Exhibits

Explore larger stories and themes from Pictou Island’s history.

Browse Exhibits

Pictou Island Heritage Society

PIHS is a volunteer organization made possible by the time and effort of its board, members and community volunteers. The upkeep of Pictou Island’s heritage sites is ongoing. We greatly appreciate everyone who helps with this annual work.

About PIHS Become a Member Volunteer Support PIHS

PIHS is not a registered charity and does not issue tax receipts.