Many Museums in West Hants
Windsor and West Hants are blessed with many museums and historic sites that reflect elements of the rich history of this area
- Fort Edward National Historic Site illustrates the military history of the area and the Acadian deportation events of 1755.
- Clifton Museum Park and the Shand House are part of the Nova Scotia Museum. They each represent a particular time period and the people who occupied those homes.
- The Hockey Heritage Centre is located in Clifton Museum and has associated exhibits at the West Hants Sports Centre.
- Artifact museums are located in Windsor, Avondale, and Hantsport operated by the local historical societies.
- The fire department, exhibition association, Legion, and other groups have informal displays of historical events or artifacts that define them.
There are also local Facebook pages (e.g. Hants County and Beyond, Falmouth Only, You Know You’re from Windsor) that post historic items and pictures from time to time.
As plentiful as our historic resources are, they fail to capture the full story of West Hants development and growth. Missing chapters include the Mi’kmaw story, the industrial heritage and the black Nova Scotian narrative. There is a plan to fill this cultural void. See next.
PCHC will have 4 elements
The Pesikitk Cultural Heritage Centre will attract visitors and residents with four components that embrace the entire history and cultural growth of the West Hants area. An historic timeline will provide a visual representation of human occupation starting 13,500 years ago with the Mi’kmaq and continuing through to the current age. The colorful timeline will highlight significant events with strings that link to webpages of that event. This will be of interest to visitors and newcomers to the area.
The main part of the display area will be a reconfigurable salon area that can host temporary displays, cultural events, and art/craft exhibitions. Residents will find something of interest to draw them back to the centre repeatedly as exhibits change throughout the year to capture contemporary culture.
Outside the centre will be a Mi’kmaq long house and amphitheatre where presentations and demonstrations can be staged by elders, teachers, and knowledge keepers. An Acadian/indigenous healing medicine garden will also be cultivated.
The fourth area is a genealogical research centre containing the family and business records compiled by the West Hants Historical Society. Historians and family tree compilers will be thrilled as they pore over the many stored documents.
Windsor Celebrates 300 Years in 2050
This report will be presented at the 2050 Annual General Meeting of the Pesikitk Cultural Heritage Centre.
2050 was a remarkable year for programs and events at the Pesikitk Cultural Heritage Centre. The staff have helped residents celebrate the 300th anniversary of Windsor and 20 years of operations at the Center.
Starting in January, the Anniversary Ball was attended by dignitaries from across the province. Her Worship the LG recalled the days when Windsor was known for its seasonal parties and Cotillions.
Winter programming included a military uniform display, the Makers’ Place Art Show and twice weekly “house concerts.” Cross-country ski races at the Fort, followed by a “hot chocolate blast,” were held for children and adult athletes on the Fort’s path.
The Spring Solstice events included a kids’ sleepover, Mi’kmaq teaching, and an Acadian dinner. Over 50 people helped to replant the medicine garden, and guest horticulturalists from local garden centres presented 14 planting seminars. The anniversary quilt exhibit was visited by over 1200 sewers, and the five-day workshop in the research room turned out 10 new quilts that were auctioned off in September.
An aggressive social media campaign through the summer months set the pace for a new record of 42,800 visitors. Weekend history presentations in the amphitheatre were well attended, and the long house was buzzing with elder-led indigenous culture camps. The salons hosted three travelling exhibits and musical performances most Tuesday and Thursday evenings.
As the leaves turned, we returned to active indoor programming. In September, we hosted a military re-enactment and mess dinner. The Black Gala featuring African Nova Scotian guests from across the province was featured on national TV. The three related exhibits were supplied by the Black Loyalist Centre in Cherry Brook. Forty-two school groups toured the Threads of History display and completed research projects. The Genealogical Research Centre reported 832 visitors and research requests for the year, and we added two new family histories to our library.
The Furry Friends display is a festive season favourite, and 180 children lent us their precious stuffies for the two-week exhibit. Ten ethnic groups created weeklong displays to show off their winter seasonal celebrations with the Sikh’s display taking top prize.
The Centre is financially stable and the Board and staff look forward to the upcoming expansion and building project supported financially by Parks Canada.
PCHC Society Governance
Every active community group needs an engaged and ambitious board. Diversity, experience, and leadership boost the effectiveness of the governance decisions.
To ensure that the PCHC programming accurately reflects the historical and emerging social situation, the Board will have both permanent, appointed directors and annually-elected directors. The West Hants Historical Society and official organizations representing Acadian, Black, and Indigenous communities each appoint a board member. Nominees from historical, military, government, and other ethnic groups can nominate members for election at the AGM.
The Bylaws of the Association have been drafted and will be registered shortly under the NS Societies Act. An application for CRA Charitable status will be submitted, and the first official board will be elected in 2027. Until then the PCHC will operate under the auspices of the WHHS. For more information email PCHC@whhs.ca.
Building a team
The communications team at PCHC needs media relations, writers, social media, marketing, and communications members. If you can provide a couple of hours a month, we promise you a seat at the team table and a rewarding assignment.
Fund raisers, programmers, and fun-seekers are also needed. Email your offer to PCHC@whhs.ca.