History

About Us

The Newcastle Jaycees were formed in March 1969. They were sponsored by the Bathurst Jaycees. The first president was Jack Fraser. In 1972 The Miramichi Jaycees were incorporated under the companies act of NB (Letters Patent Ref. No. 72-747) naming David White, Alexander Jardine, Michael Cotterell, Brian Walker, Derek Burchill and Fraser Howe as Provisional Directors.

In 1972 they became Incorporated under the name Miramichi Jaycees. Their major fundraiser each Christmas, “Santa’s Helpers Telethon” became incorporated in 2001. The Miramichi Jaycees, even though a small group, have been named the Outstanding Unit in Atlantic Canada 9 times. They received the honor nationally in 1976-1977.

A total of 15 past presidents have become members of the Regional Executive. Miramichi Jaycees have dominated National and Atlantic Effective Speaking Competitions in the past with three winners and 2 executives (chair and judge) running the contest.

In 1978 Senator Peter Murphy started the first annual Santa’s Helpers Telethon raising $3000 the first year ($30 000 in its 22^nd year, 2001). The unit also started Jaycee TV Bingo in this year, which is its biggest fundraiser and enables the organization to contribute to many community activities.

In 1986 the Jaycees helped to build a house for an elderly gentleman that lost his house in a fire. That year the Jaycees also started an annual long running campaign of Seniors Day, promoting discounts at local businesses and mowing lawns for free for Seniors (as many as 80 in a day).

The Miramichi Jaycees have had a short but active history, donating over $30 000 to local charity each year. They also have developed many community leaders, local projects and activities and will do so for years to come. Their numbers have dwindled, as have other service clubs, to 14 members in 2005 from several dozen in the decades before.

The Old Court House

One of the finest examples of Colonial architecture in Canada is the old Northumberland County Court House in Newcastle. This building was constructed in 1829, and figured prominently in 16 years in the affairs (both social and political) of the area.

Not only is the building an architectural wonder, but it is also of historical significance. It was from this structure that the Justice of the Peace met to dispense law and order from 1829 onward. Other events not normally associated with a court house happened here also: the Town Council met for 60 years in the building, church services, social gatherings, election polls, public meetings, concerts, balls, and temperance gatherings used these facilities too. It was also within its walls that the two Fathers of Confederation (Mitchell and Johnson) campaigned in the pre-election debates.

The man who built the Old Court House (And St. James & St. Johns) was the master craftsman of the Miramichi; William Murray. This man had emigrated from Scotland to take up residence here. His buildings were of the utmost simplicity in design with low-pitched roofs. Yet they somehow achieved perfection. It was in the use of well-proportioned and delicate ornament that he excelled.

In 1913-1914 a new stone Court House was constructed to replace Murray’s building. The old Court House was sold to a private individual and moved from Price William Street (Directly in front of Harkins) to its present site at 285 Campbell St. Since then it has been used as a 3-4 family dwelling. In the course of events the building has become very rundown and shabby. It is the hope of some people of the Miramichi that this structure be preserved and refinished in its former state as a monument to the past.