Sara Spike
@saraspike.bsky.social
Cultural historian of rural communities and coastal environments in Atlantic Canada. The ocean and the woods. Visual cultures. Senses. Fog. Flora.
Adjunct Prof, Dalhousie University.
Executive Committee, NiCHE.
PhD, settler, she/her
https://saraspike.ca
Adjunct Prof, Dalhousie University.
Executive Committee, NiCHE.
PhD, settler, she/her
https://saraspike.ca
Pinned
Sara Spike
@saraspike.bsky.social
· Nov 17
“a salubrious, saline exhalation”: Fog and Health in Colonial Newfoundland and Nova Scotia
Just a few pages into his 1765 Concise Account of North America, Major Robert Rogers was contemplating the enigmatic fogs along the coasts of Newfoundland.
niche-canada.org
Hi new followers! I'm writing a book about the cultural history of fog in Atlantic Canada, which explores how the regular presence of fog on the coast has shaped the lives of the people who live here. Here's an early bit of that work niche-canada.org/2020/08/27/a...
Reposted by Sara Spike
It's finally here. A history of the Nova Scotia lobster fishery.
Morton is truly an historian's historian, and from the installments I've seen, the book is going to have riches of social history, politics, economics, and even some marine biology.
share.google/J3GYgjTkjV9I...
Morton is truly an historian's historian, and from the installments I've seen, the book is going to have riches of social history, politics, economics, and even some marine biology.
share.google/J3GYgjTkjV9I...
November 29, 2025 at 2:02 PM
It's finally here. A history of the Nova Scotia lobster fishery.
Morton is truly an historian's historian, and from the installments I've seen, the book is going to have riches of social history, politics, economics, and even some marine biology.
share.google/J3GYgjTkjV9I...
Morton is truly an historian's historian, and from the installments I've seen, the book is going to have riches of social history, politics, economics, and even some marine biology.
share.google/J3GYgjTkjV9I...
We love bringing you smart, fun work about human engagements with the natural world!
Did you know that NiCHE does not have institutional funding?
Your help is greatly appreciated! 🌱
Did you know that NiCHE does not have institutional funding?
Your help is greatly appreciated! 🌱
We are SO CLOSE to 75% of our fundraising goal.
The fundraiser will end on Tuesday. Have you given yet? If not, can you send $20 our way.
The average donation right now is $189, but we heartily welcome smaller donations!
fundrazr.com/niche2025?re...
#envhist #envhum #cdnhist #envstudies
The fundraiser will end on Tuesday. Have you given yet? If not, can you send $20 our way.
The average donation right now is $189, but we heartily welcome smaller donations!
fundrazr.com/niche2025?re...
#envhist #envhum #cdnhist #envstudies
November 28, 2025 at 11:13 PM
We love bringing you smart, fun work about human engagements with the natural world!
Did you know that NiCHE does not have institutional funding?
Your help is greatly appreciated! 🌱
Did you know that NiCHE does not have institutional funding?
Your help is greatly appreciated! 🌱
I love the memories this post has generated in the comments. Did you grow up with dulce (edible seaweed) like I did?
Thanks to @richrray.bsky.social for pulling some stories out of the archives for this fun piece!
Thanks to @richrray.bsky.social for pulling some stories out of the archives for this fun piece!
Today @richrray.bsky.social shares a brief history of dulce in in New Brunswick.
"Dark Harbour ... emerged as the dulse capital of the world, an industry likewise made possible by its unique geography and the Fundy tides."
niche-canada.org/2025/09/18/t...
#envhist #coastalhistory #cdnhist
"Dark Harbour ... emerged as the dulse capital of the world, an industry likewise made possible by its unique geography and the Fundy tides."
niche-canada.org/2025/09/18/t...
#envhist #coastalhistory #cdnhist
“The Tang of Ocean Spray”: A Brief History of Dulse in New Brunswick
Dark Harbour’s geography fostered fishing, herring, and dulse industries.
niche-canada.org
September 19, 2025 at 12:18 AM
I love the memories this post has generated in the comments. Did you grow up with dulce (edible seaweed) like I did?
Thanks to @richrray.bsky.social for pulling some stories out of the archives for this fun piece!
Thanks to @richrray.bsky.social for pulling some stories out of the archives for this fun piece!
Reposted by Sara Spike
Join our editor @saraspike.bsky.social on the @transcanadatrail.bsky.social to remember the Blueberry Express!
niche-canada.org/2025/09/09/s...
#envhist #cdnhist #trails #novascotia
niche-canada.org/2025/09/09/s...
#envhist #cdnhist #trails #novascotia
Sara’s Trans Canada Trail: Remembering the Blueberry Express
Once vital for freight and passengers, Nova Scotia’s Blueberry Express railway now thrives as a scenic multi-use trail celebrating local heritage.
niche-canada.org
September 10, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Join our editor @saraspike.bsky.social on the @transcanadatrail.bsky.social to remember the Blueberry Express!
niche-canada.org/2025/09/09/s...
#envhist #cdnhist #trails #novascotia
niche-canada.org/2025/09/09/s...
#envhist #cdnhist #trails #novascotia
Big high tide, the goldenrod is swimming xo
August 25, 2025 at 1:10 AM
Big high tide, the goldenrod is swimming xo
Wildflowers, history, and dulse what else? 💙
Thanks @saraspike.bsky.social for sharing this incredible view with me today - a great place to chat about wildflowers, history, and dulse.
August 19, 2025 at 9:23 PM
Wildflowers, history, and dulse what else? 💙
🌫️📯🤍
Just two minutes in the British Newspaper archive, and I've found a dispute in Dover about the frequency of the fog gun going off in 1905, and poetry. One poem is for @saraspike.bsky.social ! Though that sounds like Newhaven, too!
August 19, 2025 at 9:16 PM
🌫️📯🤍
🙏
This, actually works. For me at least.
How to Turn Off Google AI Overview and Set "Web" as Default
tenbluelinks.org
August 17, 2025 at 11:32 PM
🙏
I've been working with Sarah on a project about the history of forestry in our area. Her presentation tonight was excellent; her GIS skills are incredible! We'll be sharing the results of this work this fall. Get in touch if you have any personal knowledge of sawmills in Halifax County!
Kinda nervous! Haven't done anything like a lecture in 3 years. Not sure if I will be able to enjoy my fish cakes and baked beans.
August 1, 2025 at 12:43 AM
I've been working with Sarah on a project about the history of forestry in our area. Her presentation tonight was excellent; her GIS skills are incredible! We'll be sharing the results of this work this fall. Get in touch if you have any personal knowledge of sawmills in Halifax County!
Reposted by Sara Spike
My essay on how the early modern camera obscura brought us more deeply into our interior lives is now live @publicdomainrev.bsky.social
publicdomainreview.org/essay/the-ea...
publicdomainreview.org/essay/the-ea...
Watching the World in a Dark Room: The Early Modern Camera Obscura
Centuries before photography froze the world into neat frames, scientists, poets, and artists streamed transient images into dark interior spaces with the help of a camera obscura. Julie Park explores...
publicdomainreview.org
July 31, 2025 at 5:33 PM
My essay on how the early modern camera obscura brought us more deeply into our interior lives is now live @publicdomainrev.bsky.social
publicdomainreview.org/essay/the-ea...
publicdomainreview.org/essay/the-ea...
Reposted by Sara Spike
I was excited to find out that my book is available for pre-order! One for anyone interested in energy, climate, and the history of Britain. Thanks to MUP for making it pretty and affordable 🫶 manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/9781526182968/
Manchester University Press - Electric wind
Electric wind - Browse and buy the Paperback edition of Electric wind by Marianna Dudley
manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk
July 25, 2025 at 1:51 PM
I was excited to find out that my book is available for pre-order! One for anyone interested in energy, climate, and the history of Britain. Thanks to MUP for making it pretty and affordable 🫶 manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/9781526182968/
I was asked to write about my local section of the Trans Canada Trail. Here is my short essay called "Remembering the Blueberry Express," about rail to trail along the coast of Nova Scotia tctrail.ca/stories/reme...
#envhist #cdnhist @transcanadatrail.bsky.social
#envhist #cdnhist @transcanadatrail.bsky.social
July 24, 2025 at 4:09 PM
I was asked to write about my local section of the Trans Canada Trail. Here is my short essay called "Remembering the Blueberry Express," about rail to trail along the coast of Nova Scotia tctrail.ca/stories/reme...
#envhist #cdnhist @transcanadatrail.bsky.social
#envhist #cdnhist @transcanadatrail.bsky.social
Finally found the fog, at Cape Spear Lighthouse xo
July 18, 2025 at 10:09 PM
Finally found the fog, at Cape Spear Lighthouse xo
Reposted by Sara Spike
The way the blueberries feel when I roll them from their stems with my thumbs into my palm.
July 18, 2025 at 12:02 AM
The way the blueberries feel when I roll them from their stems with my thumbs into my palm.
My mom made a lot of the clothes for this fashion show, based on historical photos from our local archives. It promises to be a lovely time, and another great reason to come to the Eastern Shore 💗
visitmemorylane.ca/events/1940s...
visitmemorylane.ca/events/1940s...
July 16, 2025 at 12:56 AM
My mom made a lot of the clothes for this fashion show, based on historical photos from our local archives. It promises to be a lovely time, and another great reason to come to the Eastern Shore 💗
visitmemorylane.ca/events/1940s...
visitmemorylane.ca/events/1940s...
Looking for fog in St. John's at @theroomsnl.bsky.social
July 15, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Looking for fog in St. John's at @theroomsnl.bsky.social
Reposted by Sara Spike
(Weather) A high fog settles over the Halifax waterfront as temperatures climb today.
Temperatures are expected to climb into 30+c over the next few days with high humidity.
Molly the dog was definitely taking advantage of a fun cool down activity. Take steps to avoid heat related illnesses
Temperatures are expected to climb into 30+c over the next few days with high humidity.
Molly the dog was definitely taking advantage of a fun cool down activity. Take steps to avoid heat related illnesses
July 14, 2025 at 3:13 PM
(Weather) A high fog settles over the Halifax waterfront as temperatures climb today.
Temperatures are expected to climb into 30+c over the next few days with high humidity.
Molly the dog was definitely taking advantage of a fun cool down activity. Take steps to avoid heat related illnesses
Temperatures are expected to climb into 30+c over the next few days with high humidity.
Molly the dog was definitely taking advantage of a fun cool down activity. Take steps to avoid heat related illnesses
Reposted by Sara Spike
Heading to eastern Newfoundland to visit archives and talk to folks about fog. Any suggestions for fog- or non-fog-related activities, great community museums, excellent food, people to connect with all greatly appreciated! Hoping to get back to Elliston, where I took this photo a few years ago ❤️
July 11, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Heading to eastern Newfoundland to visit archives and talk to folks about fog. Any suggestions for fog- or non-fog-related activities, great community museums, excellent food, people to connect with all greatly appreciated! Hoping to get back to Elliston, where I took this photo a few years ago ❤️
Heading to eastern Newfoundland to visit archives and talk to folks about fog. Any suggestions for fog- or non-fog-related activities, great community museums, excellent food, people to connect with all greatly appreciated! Hoping to get back to Elliston, where I took this photo a few years ago ❤️
July 11, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Heading to eastern Newfoundland to visit archives and talk to folks about fog. Any suggestions for fog- or non-fog-related activities, great community museums, excellent food, people to connect with all greatly appreciated! Hoping to get back to Elliston, where I took this photo a few years ago ❤️
I asked our friend Paul to design this Cooler At The Coast shirt for Jeff's birthday and it turned out so rad! Now you can get your own and/or some other cool stuff from him! Check out the Peace Worm pin ☮︎
Hi! Here’s a little personal peek behind the curtain for you - I just got hit with a BIG tax bill that I was unprepared for.. Poor planning? Yes! Unreliable executive function skills? You bet! And so I have added a number of new things to Ye Olde Shoppe!
paulghammond.bigcartel.com
paulghammond.bigcartel.com
July 9, 2025 at 12:14 AM
I asked our friend Paul to design this Cooler At The Coast shirt for Jeff's birthday and it turned out so rad! Now you can get your own and/or some other cool stuff from him! Check out the Peace Worm pin ☮︎
Reposted by Sara Spike
We're grateful for a decade of conversation about early Canadian history at @earlycanada.bsky.social, and now we have decided to wrap up Borealia as an active project (after this week's 3-part finale, M, W, F). A few closing thoughts here: earlycanadianhistory.ca/2025/07/06/a...
A Decade of Conversation
It has now been a decade since Borealia was launched, in 2015, with the intention of amplifying scholarship on northern North America before the twentieth century. We hoped it would be a forum wher…
earlycanadianhistory.ca
July 6, 2025 at 6:16 PM
We're grateful for a decade of conversation about early Canadian history at @earlycanada.bsky.social, and now we have decided to wrap up Borealia as an active project (after this week's 3-part finale, M, W, F). A few closing thoughts here: earlycanadianhistory.ca/2025/07/06/a...