“We’re building more than just a heritage center; we’re creating the cultural heartbeat of our region. Think of PCHC as a bridge across centuries. Would you like to see a cultural place for concerts, art shows, and festivals?
By blending deep ancestral roots with a vibrant stage for modern creators, we aren’t just looking at history—we’re giving our community a place to keep making it.
Nestled where the tides meet the valley, West Hants is evolving. We aren’t just a stop on the map; we are the keepers of Nova Scotia’s most diverse and dramatic history.
Below is a link to watch videos on the History of West Hants.
Mi'kmaq
Acadians Settled in Pesikitk
African communities in West Hants
Planters settled in from New England.
Loyalists came from America to Hants County
Windsorians The resilience of the citizens
With the rise of the Pesikitk Cultural Heritage Centre, Windsor is becoming a national destination that bridges the gap between our Mi’kmaq roots, our colonial legacy, and the vibrant, emerging culture of today. Whether you’re a history seeker, a culture enthusiast, or a family looking for a legacy to share, West Hants offers something rare: a chance to see the past and the future in one place.
Join us in making this story come alive!
“Pesikitk” is an indigenous word meaning “where the waters join”. It was the first such name used to refer to the area around Fort Edward where the Avon and St. Croix rivers join. It also recognizes the presence of the Mi’kmaq in the area long before colonial development led to the present day town of Windsor.
The site has perfect geographic and historical significance. One of the highest points of land in the town with an unobstructed, spectacular view of both the Avon and St. Croix rivers, the site originally served as the home of a Mi’kmaq longhouse used for
governance, education and spiritual ceremony; later had sacred roots with an Acadian church and, finally, served as a British defensive fort with an original blockhouse built in 1750. Over the years, it has served as a military training ground, an agricultural fairground and a place of recreation for the people of Windsor with a swimming pool and golf course.
The WHRM has unanimously voted to hold the municipal land adjacent to Fort Edward in trust for the development of the PCHC.
There was considerable discussion about what name should be chosen for the Centre. At the end of the day, using the original name is the appropriate way to honour our past while connecting it to present-day Windsor.
While the actual costs cannot be calculated until architectural and mechanical plans are drawn up, the fund-raising target is $10 million.
All of these museums tell important stories of the history of our community but all have a singular focus. While we intend to support and promote all that they have to offer we also believe that the PCHC has a unique opportunity to provide visitors with
overarching, interactive storytelling of the development and growth of West Hants while celebrating all the diverse cultural groups that contributed to its history. Located at the eastern entrance to the Annapolis Valley, PCHC will welcome and orient visitors to the entire valley experience and will operate on a year-round basis.
History never ends and culture is constantly evolving. PCHC is not just an historical museum; it is also a cultural centre where historical and cultural activities will be held to ensure that our history is understood in a current cultural context.
