The Town of Oromocto is nestled on the banks of the Oromocto and St. John rivers, and boasts one of the first land sales in the Maritime Provinces with the Mathieu d’Amours’ deed, dated March 16, 1693. The area has long been a “brain centre,” home to some notable New Brunswick people and figures in Canadian history, including Theodore Estabrooks, founder of the Red Rose Tea Company, the Wilmot family, one of whom became a Father of Confederation, and Canada’s first novelist, Julia Beckwith Hart. By 1833 shipbuilding had been established in Oromocto, with local yards producing 22 five-hundred-ton ships. Masting operations were carried on in Oromocto as early as 1700. Located just minutes from New Brunswick’s Capital City of Fredericton, Oromocto is a vibrant community, home to Canadian Forces Base Gagetown, one of the largest military institutions in North America.
When visiting Oromocto, take in the picturesque riverfront and Sir Douglas Hazen Park, where you can access the Lower St. John River Passage, the Trans-Canada and Deer Park Trail System, and our Small Craft Aquatic Centre for a canoe or kayaking adventure. You can enjoy the Oromocto Pioneer Days and Canada Day Celebrations, professional bass-fishing tournaments and kennel shows, and be entertained by our Summer Concert Series. The park provides a number of picnic shelters, wireless Internet access and is home to historic Fort Hughes and the Oromocto Marina, a full-service marina within a short walk of shopping and dining.
If you are interested in history and the role our military has played in shaping our great nation, you must pay a visit to our two museums, the C.F.B. Gagetown Military Museum and the Military Engineers Museum.
Our Visitor Information Centre is located off Route 2, Exit 301 eastbound, and features free wireless Internet access. The centre is open mid-May to Labour Day weekend, and is home to the Artisan in Sitting Program. “Warm”, “kind”, and “friendly” are just a few of the words used to describe the citizens of Oromocto, where rivers and people meet!
For more information, call 506-357-3333/506-446-5010 (mid-May to September 2), visit www.oromocto.ca, or e-mail leisure@oromocto.ca.