Heritage Programs

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1. Heritage Night

2. Quarterly Newsletter

3. Public Talks

4. Truro Built Heritage Grant Program

Heritage Night & Awards

Heritage Day was established in 1973 by the Heritage Canada Foundation, and is celebrated the 3rd Monday of February to encourage the preservation and promotion of Canada’s nationally significant historic, architectural, natural and scenic heritage.  In this spirit, the Colchester Historical Society celebrates Heritage Night on the fourth Thursday in February.  Celebrations feature local entertainment, refreshments and the presentation of Heritage Awards.

The Heritage Awards are presented to individuals and groups who promote and preserve heritage within the county of Colchester.  Awards are given for any work of heritage which includes, but is not limited to, written work, built heritage, the visual arts with a heritage theme, or music.  The following categories are considered for awards by the Society:

  • A writing award for a person or group who has written and/or published a work of quality on Colchester County. This could pertain to any aspect of Colchester County history, business, family, genealogy, the arts, etc.
  • An award for an individual or group who made an outstanding contribution to the historical heritage of Colchester County.
  • An architectural preservation award for a person or group who has endeavoured to retain and/or restore all or part of an older building, either residential or commercial.
  • An award for a community or individual project with a heritage-related theme. This could include projects in the visual arts, music, restoration, etc.
Download Award Nomination Form Here! (pdf)

Documentation must be provided with each submission in the form of a letter of recommendation, press clippings, photographs, essays, or any other documents pertinent to the category of the submission, and should be forwarded to:

Heritage Awards Committee

Colchester Historical Society
P.O. Box 412
Truro, N.S.
B2N 5C5

Quarterly Newsletter

A Member Newsletter is published four times a year and mailed to all members of the Colchester Historical Society. This twelve-page publication contains:

  • News and photos of recent events
  • Announcements about exciting future activities
  • Feature articles on Colchester heritage offering a great way to learn about local history
  • Contributions and stories from Colchester Historical Society members

Copies of back issues are kept in our Archives for your reference.

Members can contribute stories and content to the newsletter by sending material to:

Newsletter Editor
c/o Colchester Historical Society
PO Box 412, Truro, NS
B2N 5C5

Public Talks

Each year, at least eight public talks are arranged and presented at the Museum Building, 29 Young Street, Truro. Regular monthly programs are at 7:30 pm on the fourth Thursday of the month from September until May. Occasionally an additional program is added to correspond with a display or special event.

A guest speaker, chosen because of expertise in topics relating to Colchester or beyond, is usually the main feature. During the past few years many speakers have been authors who conducted historical research and written books on their findings.

Anyone wishing to suggest a program idea is encouraged to contact Elinor Maher.

2009 Public Lectures
  • January:  Jack Johnson and Peter Hamilton - Remembering County Calendar
  • March:  Dr. Ian Cameron - Quarantine: Old and New Aspects – Connections to Halifax, Lawlor’s Island and Truro
  • April: Dave Guy - History of Radio in Truro
  • May: John Boileau - When Nova Scotia Invaded Maine: The Castine Expedition of 1814
  • September: Jay Underwood - The Nova Scotia Railway’s Piggy Back Railway
  • October: Richard MacMichael - Lifeline to Victory
  • November: Bruce Graham - Anchorman
Other Talks in 2009
  • Memories of a Dutch War Bride –  Annie (Cuppens) Lamont
  • The Death Railway of WWII – Rita (Verheuval) Phillips
  • War Experiences of a Dutch Teenager – John Romyn
  • The McCurdys and the Bells of Baddeck – Judith Tulloch
  • WWII – Colchester’s Civilian Contributions – Doug Betts
  • Dr. John  McCrae & his Nova Scotia Connections – Tarun Ghose
2008 Public Lectures
  • January:  Dr. John Johnston – Louisbourg 1758: The End of a French Colony and its British Aftermath
  • March:  Michelle Temple – The Scots Arrive: The Founding of Pictou Township, The Arrivals of the Hector & the Truro Connection
  • April: Bob Latimer - The History of McClures Mills & Wynn Park
  • May: Dr. Stephen Henderson – The Uses of Patronage in Angus L. Macdonald’s Nova Scotia
  • September: Dr. Malcolm Macleod - Colchester in the 1747 Battle of Grand Pre
  • October: Norman Leach - Remembrance Exhibit Opening on World War I
  • November: Budge Wilson - Before Green Gables