Birchtown

The first large group of immigrants in Canada were the Black Loyalists who came as refugees after the American Revolution between 1782 and 1785. About 3,500 to 4,000 people settled…

Read More

Black Loyalist Heritage Centre

The Black Loyalist Heritage Centre explains how Nova Scotia hosted the world’s largest free African population outside of Africa in the late 18th century. Visitors will find a museum and…

Read More

Shelburne Riots

The Shelburne riots took place in the summer of 1784 by Loyalist veterans of the American War of Independence against Black Loyalists and government officials. This incident is considered the…

Read More

Daurene Lewis

Daurene Lewis was the first black female mayor in Canada. She was born in Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia, in 1943. She was a descendant of a freed Loyalist African American…

Read More

Rose Fortune

Born during the American Revolution to enslaved parents, Rose emigrated to Canada at age ten. Her family settled in the Annapolis Valley in Nova Scotia. Rose is known for her…

Read More

Digby

The Digby area was known as Brindley Town in the 18th century, the second-largest Black community of Nova Scotia, located about 3 km south of Digby, now known as Jordanstown.…

Read More

African Nova Scotian Directory

The African Nova Scotian Directory offers a service that connects African Nova Scotians to each other and the province by providing an expansive public database online. Visitors can search for…

Read More

Preston

Some Black Loyalists settled in Preston between 1782 and 1785. In 1796, a group of 600 exiled Jamaican Maroons settled in Preston (known as Preston Township at the time.) They…

Read More

Black Cultural Centre

The cultural centre aims to protect and preserve Black culture in Nova Scotia. It’s a cultural heritage museum that focuses on African Nova Scotian history. The centre is dedicated to…

Read More

Guysborough and Tracadie

A large group of Black Loyalists settled in Guysborough at Chedabucto Bay in 1784 after a fire swept through and destroyed their original Port Mouton settlement during the winter. Little…

Read More