Museum & Archives
The Colchester Historeum is happy to announce that we’re reopening on Tuesday, July 14th, 2020! The Historeum will be opening with limited hours to start, and expanding our hours based on demand and instructions in regards to COVID-19 procedures. Our hours will be : Tuesday 1.00pm-4.00pm Thursday 1.00pm-4.00pm Saturday 9.00am-1.00pm The Archives will by by …
Welcome to the Historeum’s new website! We just started moving forward with these updates, and thank you for your patience as we organize the different sections to suit you better. If you are unable to find what you’re looking for during this period, please contact us with your questions.
After further consideration, the Colchester Historeum Museum and Archives has decided to remain closed as a precaution to help limit the spread of COVID-19. For the full statement, please visit our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/colchesterhistoreum/photos/a.133228130025456/3386371298044440/?type=3&theater
**The Colchester Historeum’s Chase the Ace has been suspended until further notice. The Historeum is having a Chase the Ace Fundraiser! Help support your local non-for-profit heritage organization!
*Please be advised that this talk has been rescheduled to a later date due to the Historeum’s closure as a precaution to help limit the spread of COVID-19. 2020 Winter Lecture Series! Join us on Thursday, March 26th for Alicia Simms’ talk “A Shift in Perspective Tattoo Culture in Today’s Society” Doors open at 6.30pm, …
![The Formation of Truro’s Fire Brigade
George Jones is often considered the “first black person in Truro,” however, records do show that slaves were residing in Truro prior to George Jones. In that case, Jones may be considered the first “freed black” in Truro. We do not know much about George Jones but we do know that he ran a barber shop in Truro and was well respected. On Monday, February 13 of 1860, a group of prominent men in the community gathered at Jones’ shop to “take steps relative to the formation of an Engine Company.” During the meeting, following the formation of the engine company, a motion was carried for Mr. Jones to give a speech—indicating the level of respect he had amongst his peers.
That said, one document also suggests that he was subject to racial discrimination. Israel Longworth’s diary (September 1858-1860) documents his account of the meeting. Within the account he notes that “the shop was crowded and while business was going on a Mr. Clark from Londonderry came in drunk and said hello [n*****].” While these discriminatory remarks were used frequently during the nineteenth century, the fact that Longworth noted this interaction suggests that he knew it was inappropriate. What is most important in this record, however, is that it tells us that a) George Jones was responsible for the formation of Truro’s fire brigade and b) even the most well-respected black community members were subject to racism in Nova Scotia.
Image: The Truro Fire Brigade central engine house on Young Street, circa 1895](https://scontent-ort2-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-15/107415137_280538026594335_478684737832203272_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&_nc_sid=8ae9d6&_nc_ohc=yAAFcDhbs30AX_3XDaE&_nc_ht=scontent-ort2-1.cdninstagram.com&oh=b451c6d648c2b272cfeadc6e06fa8304&oe=5F32AFE2)
