Africville
Africville, CanadaNS Archives: Africville online exhibit http://ow.ly/hg35O Africville was settled in about the 1840s by people from the Black Refugee communities of Hammonds Plains and Preston. William Brown Sr and William Arnold purchased the land in 1848; the first church congregation (later Seaview African United Baptist) was established in 1849; and an elementary school was opened in 1883. Although geographically a part of the City of Halifax, Africville was always a separate community, with a largely African-Nova Scotian population. Africville struggled for survival throughout its 125-year history. It was divided by railway tracks and encroached upon by factories, sewage disposal pits, slaughter houses, and other non-residential development. The elementary school was closed in 1953 and the children were relocated to racially-integrated schools elsewhere in Halifax. In the mid-1950s, Halifax moved its large open civic dump to within one-half mile of Africville. The City considered Africville to be a suitable site for eventual industrial development, and did not extend water, sewer, police, and other municipal services to the community. In October 1962, the City decided to eliminate Africville and relocate its residents elsewhere in Halifax. The relocation was part of a broader program of "urban renewal" in Halifax, as in other North American cities, in the 1960s. The process of relocating Africville residents began in 1964; the demolition of the community was largely completed by the end of 1967. In early January 1970 the City bulldozed the building of the last Africville resident, who reluctantly agreed to sell his property to avoid expropriation. The land on which Africville stood is now part of Seaview Memorial Park, named in memory of Seaview African United Baptist Church. Africville was designated a national historic site in 1996 and a plaque was placed at the site in 2002. Source: African Nova Scotian Tourism Guide Historical Black Settlements in Nova Scotia (Google Map)
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River Philip
River Philip, CanadaRiver Philip is a Canadian rural community in Cumberland County, Nova Scotia that was founded by George Oxley. The centre of the community is located near the intersection of Route 321 and Wyvern Road. It is situated in a small valley formed by the River Philip, from which it derives its name. Wikipedia
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Yarmouth
Yarmouth, CanadaIf you drive in a westerly direction from Halifax along either Highway 103 or Highway 101, you will end up in the town of Yarmouth. Documents indicate that African Nova Scotians were found living in Yarmouth around the 1750s. They immigrated primarily as persons enslaved to the New England Planters who originally settled in the Annapolis Valley region. When Yarmouth was officially established, Blacks were listed as residing in the town. When Canada’s first race riot took place in Birchtown/Shelburne, many of the fleeing Blacks relocated to Yarmouth. Yarmouth was also home to the African Nova Scotian singing group the Mission-Aires. Composed of four first cousins, this group performed in Montreal at Expo ’67 and in 2009 they received the Pioneer Award from the African Nova Scotian Music Association. Source: African Nova Scotian Tourism Guide Historical Black Settlements in Nova Scotia (Google Map) Location Yarmouth, Yarmouth, Nova Scotia B5A, Canada Get directions Follow Us
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Lake Loon
Lake Loon, CanadaEleven kilometers east of Dartmouth are the communities of Cherry Brook/Lake Loon, North Preston, and East Preston, which were once included within the British Township of Preston. Source: African Nova Scotian Tourism Guide Historical Black Settlements in Nova Scotia (Google Map)
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Kentville
Kentville, CanadaKentville is an incorporated town in Nova Scotia. It is the most populous town in the Annapolis Valley. As of 2016, the town's population was 6,271. Its census agglomeration is 26,222. Although within the historical Kings County, it is not part of the Municipality of the County of Kings. Wikipedia
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Birchtown
Birchtown, CanadaNS Archives document: "A black wood cutter at Shelburne, Nova Scotia" http://ow.ly/hgKPO Under the leadership of Col. Stephen Blucke, of the all-Black regiment the Black Pioneers, the land for the settlement of Port Roseway (present-day Shelburne) was cleared. Colonel Blucke also oversaw the design and building of the town. Blucke and the other Black Loyalists were not permitted to live in the town and were instead restricted to the outskirts of the surrounding area; they established the community of Birchtown. Among those Loyalists was David George, the first Black Baptist pastor/minister in Canada. His Shelburne Baptist Church is the second-oldest Baptist Church in Canada, and his ministry marked the beginning of the Black Baptist Church in Canada. Reverend George’s preaching style attracted both Black and White followers. Born in the then British colony of Virginia, Reverend George came to Nova Scotia as a Black Loyalist who had supported the side of the British against the United States during the American Revolutionary War (1776–1783). When it became clear that the British Government was not going to honour its commitment and promises to the Black residents, a petition was delivered to the British monarch by Thomas Peters and, as a result, almost half of the African Nova Scotian population relocated to Sierra Leone in West Africa. Source: African Nova Scotian Tourism Guide Historical Black Settlements in Nova Scotia (Google Map)
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Weymouth Falls
Weymouth Falls, CanadaWeymouth Falls / Southville (Danvers) / Hassett NS Archives document: Joe Hartnet and Sam Langford with Lynch's Shows http://ow.ly/hgLzO Highway 101, Route 340, Southville Road Distance from Metro Halifax 269 km (2 hr 50 min) Settled in 1784, Weymouth Falls is the birthplace of legendary boxer Sam Langford, the “Boston Terror” (1881–1956). At age 15 he made his boxing debut in his adopted home of Boston. Only 18 months later he defeated the World Lightweight Champion, Joe Gans. In 1906 Langford took on the Negro Heavyweight Champion, Jack Johnson, in a non-title fight. Although the victory for this battle went to Johnson, Langford earned the respect of Johnson and as a result he would never give Langford a rematch or allow him to fight for his heavyweight title. At 5’6”, having an arm span over 6 feet and a fist that packed a pulverizing punch, Langford was a formidable opponent. He died in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 1956, a year after his election into the Ring Magazine’s Boxing Hall of Fame. He was the first non-champion ever to be so honoured. In 1972, Weymouth Falls erected a plaque to his memory in its community centre. And in 1996, the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada recognized his contribution to Canadian history by rating Langford as one of the top ten boxers of the 20th century. You can view the Sam Langford Commemorative Plaque along Weymouth Falls Road near the centre. Southville claims as its own noted African Nova Scotian artist Harold Cromwell. Born in Southville in 1919, Cromwell is considered by some to be one of the most important folk artists in Nova Scotia. For over 40 years Cromwell captured daily life in Weymouth and Weymouth Falls. Several of his works are on display at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia. Source: African Nova Scotian Tourism Guide Historical Black Settlements in Nova Scotia (Google Map)
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Cherry Brook
Cherry Brook, CanadaNS Archives document: William Riley, with his daughter Rose standing behind him in the doorway, Cherry Brook http://ow.ly/hgL6L Eleven kilometres east of Dartmouth are the communities of Cherry Brook/Lake Loon, North Preston, and East Preston, which were once included within the British Township of Preston. Approximately 150 Black Loyalist families were among the first settlers, followed by the Jamaican Maroons and then the Black Refugees from the War of 1812. Although the majority of the first two groups, the Black Loyalists and the Jamaican Maroons, left Nova Scotia and relocated in Sierra Leone in West Africa, descendants of these groups still reside within these three communities. Source: African Nova Scotian Tourism Guide Historical Black Settlements in Nova Scotia (Google Map)
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Melville Island
Melville Island, CanadaThe complex on Melville Island was a holding place for enemy prisoners during various periods throughout its existence. In 1815, the prison complex served as a quarantine station for 100–200 Black refugees of the War of 1812. These formerly enslaved persons eventually settled in the Halifax– Dartmouth area. On May 30, 2005, a commemoration was held at Melville Island to mark this historic location and its place in Canada/US history. Surrounding Melville Island is the Northwest Arm; on this body of water early Black settlers played the game of ice hockey. Today the property is the home of the Armdale Yacht Club. Source: African Nova Scotian Tourism Guide Historical Black Settlements in Nova Scotia (Google Map)
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Springhill
Springhill, CanadaSpringhill is a town steeped in the coal-mining tradition. The Springhill Miner’s Museum sits on the site of a former coal mine. Many men of African descent worked the mines—men like Maurice Ruddick, the “Singing Miner.” In 1958, Maurice Ruddick and a number of fellow colliers were trapped underground for eight days during the Springhill Mining disaster, which was referred to as the “Big Bump.” Lady Luck smiled on these men, for they lived to tell their tales whereas many others caught in similar circumstances did not. Come pay tribute to those men of “the deeps.” Source: African Nova Scotian Tourism Guide Historical Black Settlements in Nova Scotia (Google Map)
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Guysborough
Guysborough, CanadaA large group of Black Loyalists settled here at Chedabucto Bay in 1784 after fire swept through and destroyed their Port Mouton settlement during the winter. In 1785 they were joined by African-Americans emigrating from Florida. Amid considerable adversity, these brave souls persevered, to become one of the longest continuous lines of early settlers. They dispersed to numerous communities in the Tracadie area, later making their way to New Glasgow, Truro, and Cape Breton. Others stayed on to build the community of Sunnyville. While in Guysborough, check out the Afrikan Canadian Friendship Centre, where you will find photos and other artifacts that tell the story of Guysborough and the surrounding communities. Source: African Nova Scotian Tourism Guide Historical Black Settlements in Nova Scotia (Google Map)
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New Waterford
New Waterford, CanadaMany of the African Nova Scotian men who lived in Cape Breton were also employed as miners. Take a moment of silence for the 298 miners killed over the years at local colliers at the Colliery Lands Park. Picnic area available. Source: Assets of Nova Scotia African Nova Scotian Tourism Guide https://www.novascotia.com/sites/default/files/culturalassests_guide.pdf Source: Historical Black Settlements in Nova Scotia - Google https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1Uw-hfgRtUR9MUuyVOFrgGW58k4k&hl=en_US&ll=45.01409303293047%2C-63.037193&z=8
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