A HISTORY OF CRANEWOOD

William Crane arrived in Sackville from Nova Scotia in 1804 as a young man, and soon became one of the most successful businessmen in the Chignecto area. He later became a judge, was elected to the New Brunswick House of Assembly, and became Speaker of the House.

Crane began construction of this English country house in 1836 near Crane’s Corner in downtown Sackville. Built in the Georgian style, and constructed with red sandstone from a local quarry.

In 1838, he married Eliza Wood in London, and brought his English bride back to live in this beautiful stone building, which was not yet complete at the time.

William Crane died in Fredericton in 1853. Soon after, Eliza returned to London, and the Crane home stood empty for several years.

In 1867 the home was purchased by Josiah Wood, who added a mansard roof in 1888. Wood was a wealthy local merchant, one of the first two graduates from Mount Allison in 1863, and the first mayor of Sackville. Wood went on to federal politics as an Member of Parliament and later a Senator, and in 1912 Wood was appointed the Lieutenant-Governor of New Brunswick.

When Wood died in 1927, the house was acquired by his eldest son, Dr. Herbert Mariner Wood. He moved in with his mother, Laura, and named the home Cranewood, after the Crane and Wood families. In 1937 the mansard roof was destroyed by fire, and Dr. Wood restored it to the original 1836 style.

In 1966 Dr. W.S.H. Crawford bought the home from the heirs of Dr. Wood, and finally in 1975 it was purchased by Mount Allison University as the official residence for the President of the University.

In August of 2013, Mount Allison sold Cranewood to the Malcolm and Debbie Fisher family, long-time residents of the Sackville area. The family has a love for historic homes and properties, and endeavors to maintain as much of Cranewood’s original architectural integrity as possible. Renovations include extensive stonework restoration over the past few years, new windows custom built to duplicate the original deesign, a highly efficient biomass heating system along with other restoration and upkeep.

The Bakery at Cranewood, which opened in 2013, which started as a small neighbourhood cafe, has grown into a bustling comunity hub and popular local restaurant. 

In the decade since opening, Cranewood Bakery and Cafe has developped a reputation for quality baked goods, fresh breads, hearty lunches and a friendly atmosphere. 

We hope you choose to join us for a meal or just a coffee, to help participate in the next 200 years of Cranewoods histroy.