History of Pictou County

Explore our museums, libraries and archives to relive and learn more of our fascinating story. See ‘Museums and History Buffs’ on page 82

HISTORYOF PICTOU COUNTY

MCCULLOCH HOUSE MUSEUM AND GENEALOGY CENTRE:

REGISTERED NATIONAL HISTORICAL SITE AND DEPOSITORY FOR ARCHIVAL MATERIAL FOR NORTHERN NOVA SCOTIA

MUSEUM OF INDUSTRY: EXPLORE ATLANTIC CANADA’S LARGEST MUSEUM TO DISCOVER THE PEOPLE, PLACES AND MACHINES OF NOVA SCOTIA’S INDUSTRIAL PAST

HECTOR HERITAGE QUAY:

EXPLORE THE REPLICA SHIP HECTOR AND NEIGHBOURING FISHERIES MUSEUM

AFRICENTRIC PARK DISPLAY PANEL: THE AFRICENTRIC PARK, LOCATED ON VALE ROAD, OPENED IN 2000 AND BEARS THE INSCRIPTION ”TO OUR CHILDREN” AND WAS CREATED TO COMMEMORATE THE PAST, FOCUS ON THE PRESENT AND PROVIDE A FOUNDATION FOR THE CULTURAL FUTURE OF NOVA SCOTIANS OF AFRICAN DESCENT

THIS PAINTING BY MI’KMAQ ARTIST LEONARD PAUL, DEPICTING WHAT HE ENVISIONED A’SE-K (MI’KMAQ FOR BOAT HARBOUR) LOOKED LIKE CENTURIES AGO BASED ON STORIES PASSED THROUGH GENERATIONS. THE PAINTING IS DISPLAYED IN THE PICTOU LANDING FIRST NATION ADMINISTRATION BUILDING.

Our Pictou County history began several centuries ago, settled by many diverse groups of people and cultures from various parts of the globe. The Mi’kmaq and their ancestors have lived in Piwktuk for more than 11,000 years. At the heart of the Mi’kmaw homeland, Piwktuk is intimately tied to the shoreline of the Northumberland Strait as well as to Epekwitk (PEI). In 1767, the Ship Betsey arrived with settlers from Philadelphia, among them some of the first African Pictonians, and six years later, the Ship Hector arrived on our shores from Scotland. The voyage of the Ship Hector remains one of the most celebrated stories of early Scottish settlement in Canada, dubbing the Town of Pictou “The Birthplace of New Scotland.” The survival of the 189 Highlanders on board is credited to the support of the Mi’kmaq, who guided the newcomers through the harsh winter. For centuries, Pictou County has been home to resourceful, industrious, entrepreneurial and hardworking people. With its accommodating waterways and ocean-access, Pictou County was once a thriving ship-building hub. For centuries the county has been and still is a vital fishing portal for the province, the country and for seafood lovers globally. Large coal deposits throughout the county drove economic development for more than a century with extensive mining operations, Canada’s first rail transportation, steel production and railcar manufacturing. Today, Pictou County has welcomed people from all over the world who collectively contribute to this community, writing the next chapters of our history books.

GET OUT AND EXPLORE

Pictou County’s history could inspire a novel or screenplay of epic proportions. We encourage you to get to know what has made our community the place it is today by exploring our many museums, libraries, monuments and historical spaces for hands-on learning. There are many local authors who have written about our history, and we urge you to participate in any cultural event to speak with people in the community and hear our fascinating stories.