Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site
559 Chebucto Street B0e 1B0 Baddeck, NS, Canada

Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site proudly sits within the Bras d'Or Lake Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO designated learning site where communities work collaboratively to live in harmony with their surrounding environment. Bumblebees play an important part in maintaining biodiversity in our ecosystems, however, some species such as the yellow-banded bumblebee have recently become species of special concern due to population decline. According to the Committee on the ...Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada, the reasoning for the decline in the population is currently unknown; however, it is thought that habitat loss and pathogens spread by managed bumblebee colonies have had a negative impact on the species. Yellow-banded bumblebees have a very distinct colour pattern on their abdomen. Black, yellow, black, yellow banding is unique to this species which makes them easily identifiable compared to other species. Yellow-banded bumblebees are important pollinators for local flora as well as agricultural crops. Therefore, their decline could have a significant and negative impact on the environment. There is so much more to learn about the local flora and fauna of the Bras d’Or Lake Biosphere Reserve! Where Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site is now closed for the 2020 season, the Bras d'Or Lake Biosphere Reserve Association has developed a virtual tour of their exhibit that you can explore from the comfort of your home!

Did you know? When Alexander Graham Bell purchased the land of Beinn Bhreagh, he received a herd of sheep with it. Through observation, he realized that some sheep rarely produced twins, while others often did. He began experimenting with breeding to try to create a breed of sheep that would always produce multiple births at once. He did not have success with this, but nearly twenty years of records proves it wasn’t for lack of trying! What fun facts did you learn while visiting Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site this year?

Time is almost up to participate in the national consultation on Parks Canada! Share your views on the management of national parks, historic sites and marine conservation areas by October 30 to help shape their future https://letstalkparkscanada.ca/

National parks, historic sites and marine conservation areas help share the story of Canada . Now you can help write the next chapter! Share your thoughts on key priorities with us by participating in the Minister’s Round Table until October 30 https://letstalkparkscanada.ca #2020MRT Parks Canada

Through the pandemic, many of us have gotten used to working from home. Alexander Graham Bell didn’t work in an office buildinginstead, he created his own workspaces and workshops, including the Kite House at Beinn Bhreagh. October 11-17 is National Work from Home Week...but it seems that could be said for most of 2020!

During his time in Baddeck, Alexander Graham Bell worked on many different inventions including the HD-4 hydrofoil. Hydrofoils were boats that could skim across the water If you take a closer look at the hydrofoil, it has ladder-like structures underneath. As it gained speed, the vessel would rise out of the water, allowing the craft to gain even more speed! Fun fact! The Canadian navy did have a hydrofoil in service in the 1970s, called the Bras d’Or which was named for th...e region in which Bell’s hydrofoil set a world speed record travelling at a speed of 114km/h Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site closes on October 30th for the 2020 season. If you’ve been meaning to visit the site but haven’t yet had the opportunity to do so now is your chance!