This community of shipbuilders was founded in 1783 by Loyalists fleeing the United States after the Revolutionary War. By 1784, the population exceeded that of both Montreal and Quebec, until offers of free land moved the refugees to other parts of the colony. A number of trophy-winning yachts have been built here. Islands Provincial Park, just outside of town is a popular recreational venue. Successful native sons included Donald Mackay who built clippers in Boston after learning his trade here.
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Shelburne Attractions
Black Loyalists Heritage Museum
{131 Old Birchtown Road, exit 27, off Hwy 103}
Box 1194, Shelburne, NS B0T 1W0
(902) 875-1293 fax (902) 875-1362
The Black Loyalist Heritage Museum features exhibits that pertain to the history and lives of Black Loyalists and their descendants. Included are archaeological artifacts, archival records & photos, as well as family genealogies. A scaled version of “Remembering Black Loyalists, Black Communities” is a part of our permanent display along with a depiction of the Black Pioneer Regiment. Operated by: The Black Loyalist Heritage Society Open May 18-September 3, daily 11:00 am-5:00 pm. Admission fee, donations welcome
Little School Museum
{29 Locke Street}
Box 189 Lockeport, NS B0T 1L0
(902) 656-2850
The first schoolhouse in Lockeport (1845), restored by the local Garden Club, now acquires, conserves and exhibits artifacts reflecting the history and life of Lockeport and area. Contains a small collection of local historical material, artifacts related to early life in the community, a replica of an early schoolroom, and a marine room. Open July 1-Labour Day, Mon-Sat 10:00 am-4:00 pm, Sun 1:00 pm-5:00 pm> Admission free, donations welcome
Muir-Cox Shipbuilding Interpretive Centre
13 George Street
Box 39, Shelburne, NS B0T 1W0
(902) 875-1114 fax (902) 875-4141
The Muir-Cox Shipyard operated almost continuously from the 1820s until 1984, and was the last major shipyard on the Shelburne waterfront. Many famous schooners and luxury yachts were built here. The Yacht Shed, which has now been refurbished as a wooden boat shop and shipbuilding interpretive centre, opening in 2001, was constructed in two stages in the 1920s. The craftsman, with trainees, is at work year-round in the boat shop, while the interpretive centre displays photographs and artifacts of the ships and shipbuilders of Shelburne and nearly communities. Open June 1-September 30, daily 9:00 am-5:30 pm. Admission fee, tours/groups rates.
Ross-Thomson House Museum
9 Charlotte Lane, Shelburne B0T 1W0
(902)875-3141
Built about 1785, this double building served as house and store for George and Robert Ross (and later their clerk Robert Thomson and his family) during the Loyalist boom in Shelburne, when the community was twice the size of Halifax and larger than Montreal. Its 10,000 people were looking for a new life after the American War of Independence. Visit Nova Scotia’s only 18th-century store, greet the clerk, and step up to a store counter stocked with the kind of goods George and Robert Ross bartered and sold in the 1780s. Open June 1 – Oct.15 daily 9:30 to 5:30. Admission fee. Combination admission (Ross-Thomson, JC William Dory, Shelburne County Museums).
Shelburne County Genealogical Research Centre
168 Water Street, Shelburne
902 875-4299.
Well-developed research library and archives which includes Loyalist and Mayflower sources, IGI microfiche, a variety of microfilms, and historic newspapers. Extensive family files including digitalized records. Certified genealogist available. Research $5/day (non-members). Open year-round. Mon-Sat 9am-5pmreduced hours in winter.
Shelburne County Museum “Nairn House”
8 Maiden Lane, Shelburne, NS B0T 1W0
(902) 875-3219
Temporary and travelling exhibit showcase the history of Shelburne County. Special emphasis on Shelburne’s Black, Loyalist, pre-Loyalist and shipbuilding history. Newsham Fire Pumper (c 1740). Resource centre includes microfilms of 18th- & 20th-century Shelburne newspapers, private papers and Court of Session records. Genealogy of county families. Partial wheelchair access. Admission fee, Sunday am donations only. Open Open October 16-May 31, Mon-Fri 9:30 am-noon, 2:00 pm-5:00 pm, June 1-October 15, daily 9:30 am-5:30 pm. Admission fee.
JC William Dory Shop Museum
8 Maiden Lane, Shelburne
Box 39, Shelburne, NS B0T 1W0
(902) 875-3219 fax (902) 875-4141
The dory was essential for the famous Grand Banks fishery, and this dory shop, built by John Williams in 1880, was one of seven booming businesses in Shelburne that built thousands of dories every year for American and Canadian fishing schooners. In the middle of the last century, fishermen switched from fishing with baited hooks and handlines off the decks of schooners, to using huge nets and dories. Wheelchair access on the lower level. Open June 1-September 30: Mon-Sun 9:30 am-5:30 pm. Admission fee.
Shelburne Attractions
Black Loyalists Heritage Museum
{131 Old Birchtown Road, exit 27, off Hwy 103}
Box 1194, Shelburne, NS B0T 1W0
(902) 875-1293 fax (902) 875-1362
The Black Loyalist Heritage Museum features exhibits that pertain to the history and lives of Black Loyalists and their descendants. Included are archaeological artifacts, archival records & photos, as well as family genealogies. A scaled version of “Remembering Black Loyalists, Black Communities” is a part of our permanent display along with a depiction of the Black Pioneer Regiment. Operated by: The Black Loyalist Heritage Society Open May 18-September 3, daily 11:00 am-5:00 pm. Admission fee, donations welcome
Little School Museum
29 Locke Street
Box 189 Lockeport, NS B0T 1L0
(902) 656-2850
The first schoolhouse in Lockeport (1845), restored by the local Garden Club, now acquires, conserves and exhibits artifacts reflecting the history and life of Lockeport and area. Contains a small collection of local historical material, artifacts related to early life in the community, a replica of an early schoolroom, and a marine room. Open July 1-Labour Day, Mon-Sat 10:00 am-4:00 pm, Sun 1:00 pm-5:00 pm. Admission free, donations welcome
Muir-Cox Shipbuilding Interpretive Centre
13 George Street
Box 39, Shelburne, NS B0T 1W0
(902) 875-1114 fax (902) 875-4141
The Muir-Cox Shipyard operated almost continuously from the 1820s until 1984, and was the last major shipyard on the Shelburne waterfront. Many famous schooners and luxury yachts were built here. The Yacht Shed, which has now been refurbished as a wooden boat shop and shipbuilding interpretive centre, opening in 2001, was constructed in two stages in the 1920s. The craftsman, with trainees, is at work year-round in the boat shop, while the interpretive centre displays photographs and artifacts of the ships and shipbuilders of Shelburne and nearly communities. Open June 1-September 30, daily 9:00 am-5:30 pm. Admission fee, tours/groups rates.
Ross-Thomson House Museum
9 Charlotte Lane, Shelburne B0T 1W0
(902)875-3141
Built about 1785, this double building served as house and store for George and Robert Ross (and later their clerk Robert Thomson and his family) during the Loyalist boom in Shelburne, when the community was twice the size of Halifax and larger than Montreal. Its 10,000 people were looking for a new life after the American War of Independence. Visit Nova Scotia’s only 18th-century store, greet the clerk, and step up to a store counter stocked with the kind of goods George and Robert Ross bartered and sold in the 1780s. Open June 1 – Oct.15 daily 9:30 to 5:30. Admission fee. Combination admission (Ross-Thomson, JC William Dory, Shelburne County Museums).
Shelburne County Genealogical Research Centre
168 Water Street, Shelburne
902 875-4299
Well-developed research library and archives which includes Loyalist and Mayflower sources, IGI microfiche, a variety of microfilms, and historic newspapers. Extensive family files including digitized records. Certified genealogist available. Research $5/day (non-members). Open year-round. Mon-Sat 9 am-5 pm reduced hours in winter.
Shelburne County Museum “Nairn House”
8 Maiden Lane, Shelburne, NS B0T 1W0
(902) 875-3219
Temporary and travelling exhibit showcase the history of Shelburne County. Special emphasis on Shelburne’s Black, Loyalist, pre-Loyalist and shipbuilding history. Newsham Fire Pumper (c 1740). Resource centre includes microfilms of 18th- & 20th-century Shelburne newspapers, private papers and Court of Session records. Genealogy of county families. Partial wheelchair access. Admission fee, Sunday am donations only. Open Open October 16-May 31, Mon-Fri 9:30 am-noon, 2:00 pm-5:00 pm, June 1-October 15, daily 9:30 am-5:30 pm. Admission fee.
JC William Dory Shop Museum
8 Maiden Lane, Shelburne
Box 39, Shelburne, NS B0T 1W0
(902) 875-3219 fax (902) 875-4141
The dory was essential for the famous Grand Banks fishery, and this dory shop, built by John Williams in 1880, was one of seven booming businesses in Shelburne that built thousands of dories every year for American and Canadian fishing schooners. In the middle of the last century, fishermen switched from fishing with baited hooks and handlines off the decks of schooners, to using huge nets and dories. Wheelchair access on the lower level. Open June 1-September 30: Mon-Sun 9:30 am-5:30 pm. Admission fee.