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About Shelburne

Nova Scotia’s most southerly point of land, Shelburne County is steep in history, rich in culture and diverse in nature.

From rugged shorelines and pristine beaches, to inland lakes, rivers and unspoiled wilderness, Shelburne County offers a wide spectrum for the nature lover.

The Shelburne County shoreline is dotted with more than a dozen lighthouses, some of which are easily accessible, while others stand sentinel on offshore islands.

Shelburne County also boosts one of the largest commercial fishing fleets in Canada. More than 25 wharves are located throughout the county, serving as home port for the hundreds of colourful fishing boats that ply the sea.

The Municipality of Barrington, which is one of five municipal units in Shelburne County, has been designated the “Lobster Capital of Canada” by the Government of Canada.

The Municipality of Shelburne, along with the towns of Clark’s Harbour, Lockeport and Shelburne make up the remaining municipal units.

Inland there are numerous lakes, rivers and streams, including the Shelburne River, which is designated a Canadian Heritage River. Deep in the Shelburne County woods the Tobiatic Wilderness Preserve can be found. There are also numerous woodland trails for walking and all purpose use.

With roots that go back to the days of the Mi’kmaq, Shelburne County’s ancestry spans the Acadians, Planters, Loyalists and Black Loyalists. Shelburne County’s genealogy is well documented through various local sources and is readily available for research.

Shelburne County is also rich in culture, both on the stage and in the sports arena.

The Osprey Arts Centre in Shelburne often showcases talented local performers as well as top names in entertainment, while various sports venues throughout Shelburne County often play host for provincial level championship competitions.

The people of Shelburne County are friendly, hard working, and proud of their heritage and their community. All visitors are welcome.

-Sterling

Heritage

  • LITTLE SCHOOL HOUSE MUSEUMLockeport 
    • This little house was used as a school from 1845 to about 1880 and now houses various displays pertaining to the Town of Lockeport and it's residents.
    Open July to August.

  • THE DORY SHOP MUSEUMShelburne 
    • Visit the Historic Dory Shop Museum and learn how the dory was built from start to finish. Learn of the importance of the dory to local, Atlantic Canadian and American fishermen.
    Open June 1 - September 30.

  • MUIR-COX SHIPYARD MUSEUMShelburne 
    • The Muir-Cox Shipyard is one of the oldest shipyards in Nova Scotia. Here you will find an Interpretive centre oulining the rich shipbuilding heritage known to Shelburne.
    Open June 1 - September 30.

  • ROSS-THOMSON HOUSE & STORE MUSEUMShelburne 
    • The Ross-Thomson House is the only original store in Shelburne, NS. It was built in the 1820's and from it, cod, pine boards, pickled herring were traded for other goods and then sold to local townfolk.
    Open June 1 - September 30.

  • SHELBURNE COUNTY MUSEUMShelburne 
    • Features one of the oldest fire pumpers in North America. The Shelburne County Museum also hosts exhibits featuring shipbuilding and the Loyalists.

  • BLACK LOYALIST HERITAGE SOCIETYBirchtown 
    • The Black Loyalist Heritage Society honors the Black Loyalists and Ancestry. On site you will explore the Black Burial Grounds, St. Paul's Anglican Church, a Heritage Walking Trall and the Heritage Museum and Gift Shop. If you have descendants who escaped slavery in the 1780s and made their way to Nova Scotia, this is one place to do your genealogical digging.
    Open June 2 - September 1.

  • SHELBURNE COUNTY GENEALOGY SOCIETYShelburne 
    • The Shelburne County Archives and Genealogical Society is a resource for tracing your family history or the history of Shelburne County families. It is also host to a wealth of information on our many heritage buildings located throughout the County.

  • FORT SAINT LOUIS MONUMENT & PICNIC PARKPort La Tour 
    • In the 1630's this was the site of the strongest Military establishment anywhere in what is now the Maritime Provinces. In 1630-31, Fort Saint Louis was the strongest French military establishment anywhere in what is now Canada.

  • OLD WOOLEN MILL MUSEUMBarrington 
    • Established in 1882 the Old Woolen Mill is a turbine driven mill, creating an industry which saved Nova Scotian women endless hours of washing, spinning and weaving their wool at home.

  • THE OLD MEETING HOUSE MUSEUMBarrington 
    • Built in 1765 by Congregational fisherman and farmers from Cape Cod, called Planters. This building is among the oldest in North America.
    Open June 1 - September 30.

  • WESTERN COUNTIES MILITARY MUSEUMBarrington 
    • Located in the courtroom of the Old Court House, in Barrington, this museum is home to military artifacts from the first and second World Wars as well as the Korean Conflict. The museum also displays cannon balls dating to the 1630's from Fort St. Louis at Port LaTour.
    Open June 1 - September 30.

  • SEAL ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE MUSEUMBarrington 
    • This museum is a reconstruction of the original Seal Island Lighthouse. It features the original lighthouse lens. Here you can climb the five stories to the top and touch the light!
    Open June 1 - September 30.