Exhibit Showcasing Cape Breton University’s History at the Old Sydney Society Opens to the Public

Yesterday, May 2, Cape Breton University (CBU) proudly opened its doors to the public for a special exhibit ‘Cape Breton University – 50 Years in the Making’ commemorating its 50th Anniversary. The exhibit showcases the rich history and remarkable journey of the University and its predecessor institutions over the years.

Located in the Old Sydney Society’s Sydney Museum, the exhibit offers visitors a glimpse into the past, present and future of CBU with a curated selection of artifacts, photographs and stories that encapsulate the rich history. In addition to the standing exhibit featuring artifacts and replicas, the exhibit features several interactive components, including souvenir postcards, photo ops and a display of print and digital yearbooks accessed through a touchscreen.

“We invite the community to join us in celebrating this significant milestone in CBU’s history, from its humble beginnings to the vibrant institution it is today,” says David C. Dingwall, President and Vice-Chancellor. “This exhibit is a tribute to the perseverance, resilience and achievements of our University community over the past 50 years and beyond.”

In 1974, the College of Cape Breton (CCB) was established, combining the Sydney Campus of StFX (Xavier College) and the Nova Scotia Eastern Institute of Technology (NSEIT) into a single post-secondary institution under an autonomous Board of Governors. Since then, the institution has progressed to become the University College of Cape Breton (UCCB), the first university college of its kind in Canada, and now Cape Breton University.

Founded in 1966, the Old Sydney Society is a child organization of what was then Xavier Junior College as its two founders, Dr. Don Arseneau and Dr. Bob Morgan, were faculty at the College and two additional founding Board members, Sr. Margaret Beaton and Ms. Hilda Day, were staff at the Beaton Institute.

“The Old Sydney Society is pleased to host the Beaton Institute’s exhibit and commemorate Cape Breton University’s 50th Anniversary,” Catherine Arseneau, President, Old Sydney Society and Dean, Library and Cultural Resources, Cape Breton University. “Over the past 58 years, our organizations have remained close and have worked collaboratively on lecture series presentations, exhibits, publications, and built heritage preservation in order to promote and support a vibrant cultural community in Sydney and throughout Cape Breton Island.”

The exhibit will be open to the public throughout the year during the museum’s regular opening hours as follows:

• May 3 – 20, 2024 – Tuesday – Thursday: 10:00am-3:00pm
• May 21 – November 15, 2024 – Tuesday – Friday: 9:00am-5:00pm and Saturday: 10:00am-4:00pm

For more information on the Old Sydney Society, please call 902-539-1572 or email: oldsydneysociety@gmail.com

For more information on CBU’s 50th Anniversary, visit www.cbu.ca/50