Black Loyalist Heritage Centre
Black Loyalist Heritage Centre
Black Loyalist Heritage Centre
4.5
09:30 - 16:00
Monday
09:30 - 16:00
Tuesday
09:30 - 16:00
Wednesday
09:30 - 16:00
Thursday
09:30 - 16:00
Friday
09:30 - 16:00
About
The home of the largest free black settlement in the 1780’s where people voted with their feet for freedom. This unique historical site is nestled in beautiful Birchtown Bay on the western shores of Shelburne Harbour, the third largest natural harbour in the world. It’s a history few in the region know much about. Come and enjoy a guided tour, search for your ancestral roots and learn about these courageous Nova Scotians. Come and enjoy a guided tour, search for your ancestral roots, and learn about the Black Loyalists inside our interpretive centre. Outside, explore our two-acre property that includes historic buildings, a walking trail and National monument. Depending on the weather, bring a lunch to enjoy at one of our picnic benches. There is lots to see and do, so be prepared to spend some time with us.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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4.5
121 reviews
Excellent
87
Very good
24
Average
6
Poor
2
Terrible
2
Jim P
Sidney, Canada164 contributions
Aug 2018 • Couples
It’s amazing how this cultural/historical exhibit came to be (ie from the concept of creating a garbage dump that initiated the impetus for an archeological dig). First, we had a great guide who narrated the timeline of black loyalists who finally settled in Birchtown. It is a fascinating and complex history. We thoroughly enjoyed the well done interactive touch screen lessons - very well done; easily read and understood. We came away with new knowledge and a much better understanding of black history in Canada.
Written 27 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nancy-the-reader
Amherst, MA128 contributions
Aug 2018 • Couples
I've been coming to Nova Scotia for fifteen years and knew the story of the Loyalists, of course, but not the story of the Black Loyalists. I wasn't exactly surprised to learn that, while the King's promises to the white Loyalists went mostly unfulfilled, the conditions for the Black Loyalists were much, much worse. It's a well-done small museum/heritage center--quite elegant in its design. The staff was informative and friendly. The only suggestion for improvement I would make is that it takes a while to look at all the display screens, and so my husband and I both were feeling the strain of standing so long. It would be great if there were a way to watch them from a seated position. Another suggestion: put the story into a video, as they do at Grand Pre. But these things didn't detract from an excellent experience of an important part of the heritage of people from both the US and Canada.
Written 23 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jean-Paul H
Danville, Canada20 contributions
Aug 2018
Certainly one of the better museums I have ever visited. I am surprised I learned of it almost by accident from another museum keeper in nearby Shelburne. Their interactive set-up that takes us thru the historty of slavery (and much more), as well as the arrival of slaves fleeing the USA to settle in Nova Scotia is truly first class.
Written 19 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kelly c
Calgary, Canada46 contributions
Aug 2018 • Solo
The poor signage makes this place very hard to find. Unless you have a few hours to stand and read all the screens, there really is not much to see. A few artifacts and the rest is computer screens. The grounds are nice, but lots of mosquitoes. Not really worth the search to find it.
Written 13 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Good Morning,
We are sorry that you did not enjoy your time here at the museum. We do agree that our signage needs work and we have been working with the proper avenues to make this better however this will take some time. Be sure that we are trying to improve this. If you are ever in the area again please give us a call at (902) 875-1310 and book a full tour with us so we can show you everything we have to offer. We would love the opportunity to change your mind about this vital part of Canadian History!
Vanessa Fells
Program and Outreach Coordinator
Written 15 August 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Barb B
2 contributions
Aug 2018 • Couples
Terrific introductary, short talk given by museum staff member David. The interactive audio-visual displays were all interesting and easy to use. We especially enjoyed seeing and turning the pages of the digitally scanned Book of Negroes. Very nice souvenir shop--we bought a paperback book, magnet, keychain
Written 5 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sarahnaid
Listowel, Canada405 contributions
Aug 2018 • Couples
I am grateful to the friend who recommended a trip down to this centre while we are in Halifax on holiday for a week. The centre presents the story of the Black Loyalists in a way that is powerful and poignant. It’s a story of courage, strength, and perseverance that left me feeling inspired. It is also heart wrenching to recognize the reality of racism as it has and continues to exist in our world today. Thanks to the centre for their determination to tell this story in a way that I could hear it and hopefully be a better person because of it.
Written 3 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BCbikeGuy
Keremeos, Canada567 contributions
Jul 2018 • Friends
This is a lovely building with well organized displays of the history of black settlement in Nova Scotia. One of the things we likes was an interactive display about the Book of Negroes. The display traced the life and times of the Black Loyalists who settled in Nova Scotia in small unique settlements until these were dispersed (mostly by government incompetence). In many ways this display was a little disturbing when we look at how badly these heroes were treated - how sad that those in power treat the powerless in such a shabby manner.
Written 30 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Eric B
Toronto, Canada63 contributions
Jul 2018 • Couples
After the old museum was burned down in a hate crime, a new building with interactive exhibits and a great telling of a story that should give us all pause for thought. Well done.
Written 22 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lindadiana H
Duncan, Canada89 contributions
Jun 2018 • Couples
This is such an important museum. I learned so much during the visit and then learned a lot more by reading Lawrence Hill's historical novel "Book of Negroes." Be sure to set aside a couple of hours or more.
Written 10 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ehtravel2013
Halifax, Canada18 contributions
Jun 2018 • Couples
A modern interactive way to appreciate history. It is an emotional journey into the lives of the Black Loyalists who came to NS.
Written 25 June 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gmurray658
Newark, DE6 contributions
I will be arriving in NC either by ferry (from Maine) or driving in via St. Stephen (help is desirable in making this decision). Should I anticipate spending one or two days in traveling to see the museum before going back to USA? If I need to stay longer where would you recommend I stay?
Compuvideo
Lunenburg, Canada332 contributions
I agree that a day in Lunenburg would be worthwhile. There are also some very good restaurants in that town. You might also find some intersting thongs to visit in Liverpool, about half way from Lunenburg to Shelburne. I was just in Shelburne and it is much quieter, wth less to do, so a day there, including the Black Loyalist Museum in Birchtown is probably enough. We stayed at the Coopers Inn and consider it at the top of the B&B list for comfort and good hosting. If you stay in Lunenburg, the Mariner King Inn is the best in town accommodation (a bit expensive, but high end rooms and dining room). With regard to the ferry versus road, the ferry is very expensive, but if you don't mind that, it saves you from having to drive about 15 hours around to Shelburne via New Brunswick. If you drive, the roads in NB and NS are pretty good, but if you cross at St. Stephen, the US road to get there is the pits. Hope that this helps
Bonnie-Lee B
Barrington, NH8 contributions
What is the cost?
Arlene O
Shelburne1 contribution
Adult $8
Student/Senior $5
Children under 5 free
Family Admission $20.00 (Max of 2 adults and 3 children
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