West Hants Historical Society

Museum

The West Hants Historical Society collects and preserves artifacts and historical information related to Hants County, Nova Scotia. In early 1991 we acquired the old Methodist church...

Genealogy

Our library contains a large variety of resources including family histories, local newspapers, graveyard headstone inscriptions, school registrars, community histories...

Fort Edward

A national historic site since 1921, the Blockhouse is the oldest surviving structure of its kind in Canada and one of the few remaining 18th century structures in the Province...

Welcome to The West Hants Historical Society

ABOUT US

Based in Windsor, Nova Scotia, the West Hants Historical Society runs a seasonal Museum as well as a genealogy department that is open year-round. In addition, the society provides summer guide service at the Fort Edward Blockhouse.

Run almost entirely by volunteers, the WHHS relies on membership fees and donations.

WHERE WE ARE

281 King Street
PO Box 2335
Windsor, NS B0N 2T0
902-798-4706

Write us

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World War I Project – September

Hants County Soldiers - Where Were They From? The Soldiers were farmers, clerks, labourers, teachers, lumbermen, and ship builders. They came from many places in Hants County - from Hantsport to Shubenacadie and Vaughan to Noel – and every village and town in between. Many never returned. One hundred years ago in September 1916, there were 15 soldiers from Hants County killed in action...

August 19, 2016

Published by westhants at August 19, 2016

World War I Project – August

Towards the end of July 1916, our 112th Battalion from Windsor set sail on the RMS Olympic from Halifax to Liverpool. It is interesting to learn that the Olympic was the first of 3 sister ships - the others were the more famous Titanic and the Britannic. All three ships were the same design, built in Belfast, and owned by the White Star Line. The Olympic started service in 1911, the Titanic in 1912, and the Britannic in 1914. We all know what happened to the Titanic on April 15, 1912. (The above photo was taken the month before in Belfast on March 6, 1912 – Olympic is on the left and Titanic on the right being outfitted for her maiden voyage). After the disaster, 24 lifeboats were added to the Olympic and the water tight bulkheads were improved.

July 7, 2016

Published by westhants at July 7, 2016

World War I Project – July

In Europe, the War continued with no victories after two years of heavy fighting. The Battle of the Somme was taking hundreds of thousands of casualties. In Windsor, our men in the 112 th Battalion were preparing to join the battle. The 112 th Battalion was formed in November 1915 with headquarters in Windsor, Nova Scotia. Men were recruited from all over Hants County, from the Annapolis Valley, and from the South Shore. Over 1500 men volunteered for service but only 1200 were accepted. The commanding officer was Lt Col. Hedley Tremaine of Windsor.