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Discover African Nova Scotia Culture

Since the 1600s, diverse groups including the Black Loyalists, Jamaican Maroons, Black refugees of the War of 1812, and Caribbean immigrants, established communities across Nova Scotia. Connect with the rich history of African Nova Scotian culture by visiting these museums and cultural centres.

African Heritage Month 2025 Events

Africville Museum

Step into a replica of the church at the emotional core of Africville, an African Nova Scotian community dislocated and displaced, for industrial expansion of Halifax in the 1960s. Exhibits guide you through the history of Africville and the years following relocation to now, celebrating the strong community spirit that still endures to this day.

Adjacent to the museum, you’ll find Africville Park featuring short walking trails and five Corten steel interpretive panels highlighting the history, families, and daily lives of the former residents of Africville.

Black Loyalist Heritage Centre

Discover the story of Black Loyalists in Birchtown, home of the first and largest free African population outside of Africa during the late 1700s. Take part in a guided tour of the museum, explore your genealogical connections, and walk along the ocean viewing interpretive panels along the 1.5km Black Loyalist Heritage Trail. On site, you’ll also find St. Paul’s Church and Birchtown’s school house.

The Black Loyalist Heritage Centre is located on the original settlement grounds in Birchtown, just 10 kilometres away from Shelburne, where parts of the BET and CBC-produced Book of Negroes miniseries was filmed. At the centre, discover more about this community and the 3,000 names recorded in the Book of Negroes.

Planning to visit? Check out the Black Loyalist Heritage Centre’s Taste of Birchtown: Guided Museum Tour & Craft Beer Tasting in partnership with Boxing Rock Brewing Co., available year-round!

Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia

Explore Nova Scotia’s African culture and heritage including the people and stories of 52 Black communities. The Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia is a museum and cultural gathering place to discover the rich history of Nova Scotians of African descent through exhibits and special events.

Viola’s Way

Visit Viola’s Way in New Glasgow to learn the powerful story Viola Desmond who stood up to racial inequality and became a Canadian civil rights leader. Located next to the former Roseland Theatre, where Viola Desmond refused to give up her seat of the segregated theatre in 1946, this pedestrian only street features a commemorative plaque, interpretation panels, and artwork inspired by her story.

Maritime Museum of the Atlantic

Explore Canada’s largest and oldest maritime museum, conveniently located on the Halifax Waterfront. Learn about the naval career of William Hall who was the first Black person and the first Nova Scotian to receive the Victoria Cross, the British Empire’s highest award for bravery.

Army Museum, Halifax Citadel National Historic Site

Located in the Cavalier Building at the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site, the Army Museum houses a display dedicated to Canada’s only all-Black battalion and the all-Black 104th Pioneer Regiment. Catch the sentry change at the front gates of the Citadel each hour or, plan your visit for 12:00 pm to experience the daily firing of the noon gun!

Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site

Step back in time to one of North America’s busiest seaports in the 1700s. Founded by the French in 1713, the Fortress of Louisbourg remains the largest historical reconstruction on the continent. Home to numerous Black enslaved people and historical figures in the 1700s, today you can connect with costumed interpreters sharing stories, like Marie Marguerite Rose who was released from slavery after 19 years, married a Mi’kmaw man, and opened a tavern in Louisbourg. She was the first free Black businesswoman on record in Canada’s history.

Three friends taking a selfie a the Fortress of Louisbourg

Mathieu Da Costa African Heritage Trail

Mathieu Da Costa, a multi-lingual interpreter and explorer of African descent, travelled throughout the Atlantic region in the late-1500s. Journey throughout the beautiful Annapolis Valley – from Windsor to Port Royal – to view each panel in the series of eight bilingual interpretive panels showcasing Nova Scotia’s African heritage over centuries. Discover Da Costa’s story and others including independent business woman, Rose Fortune and Civil War veteran and entrepreneur, Ben Jackson.

Learn from the locals

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