Welcome to the McLennan Family Home Page. This site has been developed as a resource
of information on the McLennans of Petersfield. The project, under the direction of the
Cape Breton Regional Library, is an online history of the contributions of the McLennan
family to the community of Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.
The McLennans of Petersfield influenced the development of Cape Breton, Nova Scotia from
the late 19th century, well into the present century. Their story is not generally well
known, although their influence on events of the early 20th century in Cape Breton was
significant. They were involved in many areas, including the coal and steel industries,
publishing and the arts. Perhaps the greatest impact the McLennans had on Cape Breton
resulted from their interest in the Fortress Louisbourg.
Senator John S. McLennan, with the help of his daughter Katharine, carried out much of
the original research on the Fortress Louisbourg in the late 1800s and early 1900s, in
France, Britain and the United States. These research documents were copied by hand, since
there were no photocopiers. His book, Louisbourg: From Its Foundation to Its Fall,
is still considered by some to be the definitive work on the subject.
Katharine continued this interest in Louisbourg throughout her lifetime by encouraging
the restoration of the site, which is now the largest historical restoration site in North
America. For her work on the project, Katharine received a Doctorate degree from St.
Francis Xavier University, as well as the Order of Canada.
Katharine McLennan left the Cape Breton Regional Library many family
documents, pictures, and paintings, which are the basis for this digital site.
For more information feel free to E-mail us at inssc@nssc.library.ns.ca
