Events

Thursday, October 15, 2026, 7:00 PM

In the 1840s, young Benjamin and his family live on an isolated Nova Scotia island. There is no church, no school, no store, no community; just them.

But Benjamin has a vivid imagination that fills his life with adventure. He sees pirates and sea monsters; devilish black dogs, schooners laden with treasure bound for his island.

And he sees a man with an axe in his hand.

In 1842, John Ruff was killed in a logging accident at his home on Fundy Five Islands' Moose Island. Two years later, one of his young sons came forward to say the incident was no accident.

What really happened to John Ruff?

Join author Laura Churchill Duke at 7pm on Thursday, October 15 as she dives into the history of this event, as portrayed in her historic true crime novel, “Ruff Tides."

Admission by donation, free to CHS members.

Friday, October 16, 2026, 10:00 AM

Get involved, share your thoughts, and learn community history by joining the Cobequid Chapters Book Club, a new initiative of the Colchester Historical Society.

Over the course of the year, club participants will read and discuss several book titles with links to Colchester history.

October's book choice, by author Danice Roache, is "Five Seasons of Charlie Francis." It is described as a "bold, refreshing, and darkly funny debut novel about a mixed-ancestry Mi'kmaw woman balancing academia, grief, love, and new motherhood." It will be discussed at 10am on Friday, Oct. 16 

Selected novels are available by request through the Truro Library, local booksellers, and online options.

Participation is by donation or free to CHS members. 

Saturday, October 17, 2026, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM

Discover the history and value of antique and vintage items at the Colchester Historical Society Antique Roadshow.

All proceeds from this fundraiser support the Colchester Historeum Museum & Archives.

Tickets are $15 and provide 15 minutes of appraisal time for up to two items. Our appraisers include local experts Clair Peers, Cees van den Hoek, James Bryson, and Paul Clark.

Areas of interest include general antiques and collectibles, furniture, primitives, folk art, advertising, toys, mercantile, mechanical, tools, oddities, local and international art, glass, objects d’art, gold, silver, jewelry, gemstones, watches, and clocks.

Appraisals will be conducted on a first-come, first-served basis. Easily portable items are recommended.

For more information or to reserve tickets, contact 902-895-6284, email event@colchesterhistoreum.ca, or visit the Historeum at 29 Young Street, Truro.

Tuesday, Wednesday, October 28, 2026, 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM

Join CHS volunteer Valerie Tucker as she delves into Kemptown's history, exploring early settlers, the coal and sawmill industries, general news, notable people, and community structures.

Admission by donation or free to CHS members.

Wednesday, November 04, 2026, 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM

During the First World War thousands of Canadian women served in hospitals and casualty clearing stations, caring for sick or wounded soldiers. They were often near the front lines. Others served on hospital ships and in military hospitals in Canada.

Fifty-eight Canadian nursing sisters died during the war years.This presentation will share stories of remarkable women from Nova Scotia – particularly those from Central Nova Scotia, who served their country as nursing sisters.

Admission by donation. Free to CHS members.

Join our crib action every Tuesday from 1:30-3:30 pm.

New and experienced players are welcome.

Admission is $2 or free with a Colchester Historical Society membership.

Join our Canasta card play every Thursday from 1:30-3:30 pm.

New and experienced players are welcome.

Admission is $2 or free with a Colchester Historical Society membership.