Take a Journey to Birchtown
One of Canada’s best kept secrets, this was the site of the largest free Black settlement in the 1780’s where people voted with their feet for freedom. This unique historic site is nestled in beautiful Birchtown Bay on the western shores of Shelburne Harbour, the third largest natural harbour in the world.
Enduring Landmarks
Explore our site and visit our historic buildings, including the Old School House and Saint Paul’s Church, where you can view our Bunce Island exhibit and film. The National Historic Monument, located on the shore, commemorates the 1783 Black Loyalist landings in Nova Scotia. Walk our Heritage Trail and discover the reconstructed Pit House.
Discover their stories
The Black Loyalist Heritage Centre features a multimedia presentation detailing the Black Loyalist journey from Africa to the American colonies, then to Nova Scotia, and ultimately, back to Africa. Explore the virtual Carlton’s Book of Negroes to search for ancestors who may have been part of this extraordinary migration. Discover our impressive archaeological display showcasing artifacts excavated in Birchtown during the 1990s, providing tangible evidence of this compelling story.
Connect and Reflect
Enjoy a guided tour and engage with our knowledgeable staff, some of whom are descendants of the Black Loyalists. Research your ancestral roots and learn about these courageous Nova Scotians. Before departing, create a virtual quilt square to share your experience and reflect on the impact of this history.
“The story of the Black Loyalists — how they served the British in the war in exchange for the promise of freedom in peacetime, and how they travelled to Nova Scotia only to endure hardships of slavery, indentured servitude, landlessness and hunger — is one of the great stories of Canadian history.
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