By Dr. Grant Williams (BEd’90, MEd’95)

In the spring of 2021, I became the owner of a charming home at 47 Kensington Court in downtown Fredericton. At first, I simply saw a house with great character and potential. But as I learned more about its past, I realized I had become part of a legacy deeply connected to UNB history.

Built in 1955 for Edith (Edie) G. McLeod (BA’1920, LLD’66), the house was home to UNB’s first female registrar (1945–1968), a beloved figure known for her remarkable memory, mentorship, and dedication to students. She served UNB for 41 years, working under five university presidents and helping shape the experiences of countless students and faculty members.

Edith McLeod was known not just for her role at UNB, but also for the gatherings she hosted at her home. Faculty and staff would arrive for tea parties and receptions, dressed in tuxedos and ball gowns, before heading up the hill to formal university events. Her home was a hub of social life, a place where friendships were forged and university ties strengthened.

After Edie’s passing in 1981, the house was left to Dr. Beverley F. Macaulay (BScE’28, DSc’74), UNB’s vice president of administration (1960–1972), and his wife, Dr. Althea Warren Macaulay (BA’39, LLD’90), who taught in the faculty of science. In 1983, the Macaulays expanded the house, ensuring it remained a welcoming space for family and guests.

Althea Macaulay lived here until her passing at age 101 in 2019. She carried on the tradition of hosting, transforming the house into a lively gathering place for book club meetings, where dozens of guests would pack into the living and dining rooms, and Kensington Court would be lined with cars.

When I purchased the home from the Macaulays’ son, Dr. John Macaulay (BSc’81) and his wife, Rosa (Vargas, BScChE’85), in 2021, I knew I was inheriting not just a house, but a piece of UNB’s living history. While I’m a faculty member at St. Thomas University, serving as director of the School of Education, I’m also a proud UNB graduate. With a BSc in physics from Mount Allison (1988) and an Ed.D. in mathematics, science and learning (2011), my academic journey has taken me many places — but UNB has always been at the heart of it.

To honour this home’s original owner, and in recognition of the recent demolition of the Edith G. McLeod House residence on campus, I have commissioned a plaque that reads:

Edith G. McLeod House Built in 1955 for the University of New Brunswick’s longtime and beloved Registrar (1945–1968), who made this her home until her passing in 1981.

Since moving in, I have undertaken renovations, bringing the home into the 21st century, while preserving its historic character. The 70th anniversary of its construction in 2025 feels like the perfect time to recognize its legacy.

Through this tribute, I hope to preserve the memory of Edith G. McLeod, the Macaulays, and the rich history of UNB that lives within these walls. Sometimes, the best way to honour the past is to keep its stories alive.