Yet another flashback. In 1979 there was a conference in Sydney that had a focus on the 18th century. The event included an excursion — how could it not? — out to the Fortress of Louisbourg. Attending the conference were a gaggle of former and current Fortress historians. Someone had the bright idea to take a photo of us all. Ken Donovan and I are in the back row, with historian / archivist Eric Krause, the late Terry MacLean and renowned writer and historian Christopher Moore in the middle row. In front, left to right, are Gilles Proulx, Maria Razzolini, Brenda Dunn and the late Bob Morgan.

I think at its peak, the Fortress might have had seven historians working on the project. In my time there were usually three. More recently the number dropped to one. Currently there are none. It would be a shame, a grave mistake, if the investment that was made to give Louisbourg historical depth, were to be cast aside. The place needs at least one historian there working with the historical documentation and sharing what she or he finds with the interpretive staff.