Historic Ketchum Cottages (Ketchum Cottage and CMTR Cottage) The Historic Ketchum Cottages are two buildings that were used by Henry Ketchum during the Northumberland terminus construction phase of his Chignecto Marine Transport Railway project in the 1890’s. This 17 mile railway project was intended to haul tall ships between the Bay of Fundy and the Northumberland Strait. The project was about 80% complete when it was abandoned. These two buildings are now used as cottages. One is called the Ketchum cottage. The other is the CMTR Cottage. It was one of North America’s largest Civil Engineering Projects of the 1800s. Ketchum Cottage View the rates CMTR Cottage View the rates The Ketchum Cottage was used by Ketchum himself. There are two possible uses of the CMTR cottage; some say it was an office, and others say it was a cookhouse for the large on-site crew. Location Map (zoom in for details) 1- Amherst Shore Country Inn, 2 - Ketchum Cottage, 3 - CMTR Cottage, 4 -Tidnish Beach Provincial Park, 5 - Rotary Club of Amherst Camp Tidnish, 6 - Rosswog Family Winegarden, 7 -Corner Store Ketchum Cottage see the availability calendar for Ketchum Cottage The 'Ketchum Cottage' is usually offered for weekly rental during the spring, summer and autumn by the Amherst Shore Country Inn. This registered historic, seaside building was constructed build for Henry Ketchum in 1882. It was the dwelling he used during work on the Northumberland terminus of Nova Scotia's ships railway project. The cottage is on a bluff that overlooks the Northumberland Strait. This photo shows the strait at low tide. The two basins exposed at low tide are among the few remains of the project that was intended to carry sailing ships by rail from this point to the Bay of Fundy near Amherst. The beach below is easily accessible by a short path to the provincial park next door to the Ketchum Cottage. The cottage is on two floors. The first floor contains a large living area and a place to dine. There is an excellent kitchen, which has laundry facilities at one end. A three piece bath (with shower) is well located at the rear entrance. It is ideal for a quick shower to wash off the salty water after a refreshing swim in the strait. This photo shows the living room and door to the kitchen to the right of the fireplace. Windows to the right overlook lawn and sea. This is the Ketchum cottage kitchen. The washer and dryer are behind the camera. Upstairs lie three bedrooms and a four piece bathroom (ie a toilet, tub with shower and a hand sink). This is the master bedroom. The master bedroom also contains a Jacuzzi tub. There are a double and a single bed in the larger of the two other bedrooms. The third bedroom is much smaller. It has a double bed.   CMTR (Chignecto Marine Transport Railway) Cottage see the availability calendar for CMTR Cottage The 'CMTR Cottage' (Chignecto Marine Transport Railway) is sometimes offered for weekly or longer term rental in the late spring, summer and early autumn. This 'primitive cottage' was also used during the construction of the Chignecto Ship's Railway. While some modern conveniences have been added to the building, most of it sits, as it was 120 years ago. The cottage is located on a lot beside the 'Ketchum Cottage'. This photo was taken on the lawn between the cottage and the bluff that overlooks Baie Verte, the body of water in the photo. The land across the bay is New Brunswick. The beach below the bluff is an ideal place to explore and enjoy at low tide, (as in the photo below). There is enough water to swim for a few hours around high tides that occur twice a day (24 hours). Access to the beach is via a walk across the Ketchum cottage lawn, then through the adjacent Provincial Park. There’s a propane fireplace and the view from the living room to the sea! Here are two views of the living room.   And, two views of the kitchen now complete with a dishwasher.             There is a dining area. There is a three-piece bathroom and laundry facilities   This photo shows the bedroom on the main floor. There is no insulation in the cottage and the walls are just as they were over 100 years ago. There’s a computer nook complete with High Speed internet. The living room of the CMTR cottage, a former CMTR or Chignecto Ships Railway building has been successfully used for Elderhostel lectures. There are two theories for the use of the cottage. The first we heard was that it was used as an office. More recently it is thought the cottage may have served as a cook house. Above: Rob Laceby tells the story of the CMTR or the Chignecto Marine Transport Railway. Left: Professor Dr. Ron Aiken describes the life cycle of the American Lobster. Please note that the walls are the same (only older) as they were over 100 years ago when the building was used as part of the CMTR project. We often use the word primitive to describe this cottage. We do this to ensure that everyone understands that the cottage ambience is as it was 120 years ago. In fact nothing substantial has been done to the structure to change this ambience. As you see in the photos above, considerable effort has been made to ensure the facilities expected in the 21st century are as you need them. This is to ensure that as you enjoy the historic perspective you will be comfortable and connected in our modern world. For availability and more information, please see our availability calendar or call Mary at 1-902-661-4800. View the rates for the cottages

Amherst Shore Country Inn RR#2, Amherst, Nova Scotia, Canada Phone or fax (902) 661-4800 Canada & USA toll-free: 1-800-661-ASCI (2724) for reservations AccommodationAvailability.com Availability calendar & online reservations

Home  •  The Inn  •  Rooms & Rates  •  Inn Cottage  •  Historic Ketchum Cottages  •  Dining  •  Area Info •  Contact