New Brunswick boasts over 100 museums and heritage sites, with Tracadie in northeastern New Brunswick being a historical hub. The Religieuses Hospitalières de Saint-Joseph, a group of nuns, once played a vital role in the community by caring for the sick, running an orphanage, and educating children.

Although the nuns are no longer active in Tracadie, their legacy lives on at the Musée Historique de Tracadie. Initially, the nuns focused on operating a lazaretto, a hospital for lepers, with the first case of leprosy detected in Tracadie in 1828, likely brought by immigrants from Norway.

The lazaretto evolved over the years to provide better care for lepers from across Canada. However, the stigma attached to the town due to the lazaretto’s presence affected its reputation, as locals shunned products labeled with Tracadie’s name.

In 1943, Dr. Guy Henry Faget’s discovery of the effectiveness of promin in treating leprosy marked a turning point. This medical breakthrough led to the closure of the lazaretto in 1965.

Beyond leprosy care, the nuns also offered general healthcare services to the community. The lazaretto’s general hospital treated locals and, notably, was the first French-speaking hospital in New Brunswick in 1896.

The museum showcases historical artifacts from the hospital, including medical equipment like glass IV bottles and vintage incubators. Medical professionals visiting the museum often express amazement at the tools used in the past.

The nuns also addressed the lack of education in Tracadie by establishing day and boarding schools. Children from the area and beyond received quality education, including art, music, and business classes.

Although the Religieuses Hospitalières de Saint-Joseph order continues to operate in various communities, its presence in Tracadie officially ceased in 2025, leaving behind a rich legacy.