Museum

Our museum reflects life in Colchester County—from Five Islands to Kemptown, from Tatamagouche to Stewiacke—and includes a variety of ever-changing displays.

Curated from our collection of over 10,000 artifacts, our gallery offers a cross-section of our county's history. We strive for inclusivity, promoting Mi'kmaq, Acadian, African Nova Scotian, as well as Planter heritage.

This page highlights some of our most recent changes.

Although people of African descent have been documented in Colchester County as early as the 1770s, it was not until the mid-nineteenth century that they began to settle in and around Truro. Primarily descended from the Black Loyalists who settled in Guysborough County following the American Revolutionary War, they formed three distinct communities in Truro—the Island, the Marsh, and the Hill—as well as Jollytown near what is now Upper Brookside/North River.

This photo display celebrates the residents of these communities, with special emphasis on Zion Baptist Church, Sleeping Car Porters, and the No. 2 Construction Battalion.

Around the turn of the 20th century, at the height of railroad travel, Truro boasted as many as ten hotels at the same time, all within a short distance of the train station.

This exhibit features photos and artifacts of a few hotels including:

• Doggett's Hotel, later McKay's Hotel, and finally the Prince of Wales Hotel
• Railway Hotel, later the Stanley House Hotel
• Learment Hotel, later the Scotia Hotel
• Dominion House Hotel, later the Rose Hotel

This real Planter-era headstone marked the gravesite of Sarah Putnam, a daughter of William and Dolly Putnam, who died at the age of 13 on March 4, 1792.

The headstone was found in 2024 at a deceased stonemason's shop for repair. It was discovered to belong at an abandoned family cemetery in Meadowvale, Colchester County.

In agreement with the Stewiacke Valley Museum and community members, the Historeum was granted permission to exhibit this very rare Colchester artifact. Through it, we share the story of Sarah and her family, and the history of stonemasonry in 18th-century Nova Scotia.

Colchester County has a rich history of shipbuilding, from the north shore of the Minas Basin in Great Village and Economy, to Tatamagouche in the north, and along the Shubenacadie River. This display highlights some prominent ship captains and features some unique artifacts related to the sea.

Many of these artifacts, including a six-foot-long half hull model ship, were recently donated by the Great Village Historical Society.

This display celebrates the Cobequid Planters. Following the expulsion of the Acadians in the 1750s, settlers, known as Planters, were recruited by colonists in New England and Ireland in to inhabit the newly-formed townships of Truro, Onslow, and Londonderry.

We also recognize the contribution of the late Bonnie Waddell, a Society member and volunteer who commissioned authentic Planter-era costumes for the 250th anniversary of the arrival of the Cobequid Planters, which was celebrated in 2011.