Shannon Stirnweis (Arizona, New York, New Hampshire Oregon, B. 1931) "Fort Bausejour" Signed lower left. Original Oil painting on Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the Canada 32c Fort Bausejour stamp issued June 30, 1983. Not long after the booming Canadian fur trade developed, military forts sprang up on the Canadian frontier to protect the fur trading routes and trappers. One of these forts, Fort Beausejour, was built in 1751 by the French and it stood on the border between French Acadia and British Nova Scotia. The fort faced the English Fort Lawrence. Tensions between the British and French nations -- both in Europe and in the New World -- were mounting steadily and as months passed, Fort Beausejour seemed destined to be a battlefield for the two warring powers. So it happened, just four years after its establishment, that this sturdy fort became the site of one of the most historic battles fought on Canadian soil. in 1755, Fort Beausejour was taken by Brigadier General Robert Monckton and represented the only British military success in Canada in 1755. The zealous General Monckton followed up his taking of the historic fort by expelling the so-called neutral Acadians, who continued to live in Nova Scotia, from their homes. To this very day, it is a matter of controversy whether this action was either wise or necessary. But, there is no doubt that the expulsion is one of several acts by the British that left an indelible impression on the memories of French-Canadians. The British renamed Fort Beausejour as Fort Cumberland. But, abandoned after the War of 1812, the fort was partially restored and is well-known to Canadians as Fort Beausejour National Historic Park. Image Size: 19.25 x 16.75 in. Overall Size: 23 x 20 in. Unframed. (B08157)