Discover Shelburne County’s history at the Shelburne County Museum, located in Nairn House which dates from the arrival of the Loyalists in the 1780s. Explore our rich and unique heritage through exhibits such as Canada’s oldest fire pumper, visit our featured displays and enjoy our informative programs.
The building housing the Dory Shop Museum dates back to 1865 and was officially reopened as a museum in 1983 by Prince Charles and Princess Diana. Let Master Dory Builder Milford Buchanan and his assistants take you back in time as they demonstrate how a Shelburne Dory was built in the late 1800s. Locally known as the “Banks Dory”, it was ideally suited for use on fishing schooners and became the workhorse of the inshore and offshore fisheries not just in Nova Scotia, but around the world.
Travel back to the 1780s with a tour of the Ross-Thomson House & Store Museum. Learn of the day-to-day lives of the Ross brothers as they carried international trade to the Town’s residents and their connection to the institution of slavery. Try your hand at candle making, wool spinning and many other activities typical of life in Shelburne in the 18th century. Spend time in the gardens enjoying the beauty of Shelburne’s waterfront.
