The Black Loyalist Heritage Society

The Black Loyalist Heritage Society is a dynamic, charitable organization committed to discovering, interpreting, safeguarding, and promoting the history and heritage of the Black Loyalists. For over thirty years, the society has worked to ensure the chronicles and contributions of the Black Loyalists takes its place with other communities that shape Canada’s cultural mosaic.

Our Goals

  • To celebrate the survival and determination of our ancestors
  • To acknowledge the abilities of our members and strengthen their capacity to be acknowledged within and outside of the Black Loyalist community.
  • To plan for and attain social and economic equality of the Black Loyalists among Canadians.

Our Objectives

  • To develop, preserve, promote, protect and exhibit the history and heritage of the Black Loyalists and their descendants.
  • To promote universal recognition of the ancestry of the Black Loyalist Society as a nascent Canadian heritage community, having been among the original settlers of Canada, and having had no prior citizenship in any other country.
  • To cultivate and contribute to the economic prosperity of the Black Loyalist community through participation in community development initiatives.
  • To actively participate in Canadian multiculturalism campaigns, projects and other efforts toward social cohesion.

The Society has worked hard to achieve its goals and objectives and to this end, has acquired several properties in Birchtown, sponsored numerous archaeological research projects and has also witnessed many honours among the members as well as provides cultural opportunities for all ages through programming, events and annual celebrations.

The Beginnings

Founded in 1989, the Society worked to bring awareness to the significance of their community.

In the 1980s there was little information readily available on African Canadian history, let alone on the Black Loyalists specifically. When a group of school children in the Shelburne area were researching their family histories, some parents realized the gap in knowledge and wanted to change it. They began collecting family data and other historical information, before being incorporated officially as the Shelburne County Cultural Awareness Society. One of their biggest goals was to create an increased awareness around the significance of Birchtown as a historic Black community. When a proposal came up to open a landfill site in the Birchtown area, the Shelburne County Cultural Awareness Society was instrumental in blocking the project on the grounds that it would destroy critical evidence that could be unearthed and link the community to the early Black Loyalist settlement.

“Out of this work grew the organization, which evolved in the idea for the Centre. Along the way, we discovered new information and experiences, which led to the fact that we needed a museum to talk about our history. We basically became our own heritage society.”

Dr. Elizabeth Cromwell, C.M.

Founding member of the Black Loyalist Heritage Society
Throughout the 1990s, the Shelburne County Cultural Awareness Society worked to discover and share the history of the Black Loyalists. Their key projects included archaeological digs throughout the community of Birchtown, as well as extensive genealogical research on Black Loyalists families. At the same time, they began acquiring land in the Birchtown community. The goal was to create a heritage site, that could welcome visitors to learn about the Black Loyalists and their incredible journey. In 1999, the Society was officially renamed the Black Loyalist Heritage Society.

The Museum Site

The Society opened the Black Loyalist Heritage Site in 2000, establishing the first museum dedicated to telling the story of the Black Loyalists. 

 

After the hard work completed by the Society in the 1990s, they successfully opened the Black Loyalist Heritage Site in 2000. The site was comprised of the Black Burial Ground and Monument Site, St. Paul’s Anglican Church and the Black Loyalist Museum which was housed in the Old Birchtown Schoolhouse. In the museum was housed the Remembering the Black Loyalist Communities, a special exhibit from Nova Scotia Museums.

 

The Black Loyalist Heritage Site was a proud achievement of the Society, however there were still larger dreams in mind for the organization. The ultimate goal was to build an interpretive centre to house the work and research of the Society, as well as to meet the standards to become a provincial museum. During this time, the Black Loyalist Heritage Society continued to promote the import work of the organization. In 2006, the Society became the first Black organization to be granted a Coat of Arms by the Chief Herald of Canada. A year later when Lawrence Hill published his novel, The Book of Negroes, there became an even greater interest in the story of Black Loyalists.

Out of the Ashes

In 2006, the Society rose from the ashes of an arson attack to expand on their vision of protecting and preserving the history of the Black Loyalists.

 

On March 31 2006, members of the Black Loyalist Heritage Society watched as 18 years of research and work went up in flames. Although some computers and files were able to be salvaged from the fire, much was destroyed. The administration building, which had been built in 2000, had been set on fire intentionally. Despite charges being laid, no one was ever held accountable for the arson attack.

 

The Society, and the Black Loyalists, are not defined by someone else’s hatred. This attack became a catalyst for the Society. They would rise from the ashes and build – bigger and better.

Plans and development for a brand new interpretive centre soon began and in 2011, the Society announced it’s goal to fundraise $1.5 million. This money, along with contributions from the Government of Canada and Province of Nova Scotia would help make the Black Loyalist Heritage Centre a reality.

The Black Loyalist Heritage Society officially announced the naming of the Black Loyalist Heritage Centre – presented by Emera at the Ground Breaking Ceremony on June 27, 2012. ”Emera and its shareholders are extremely proud to support our local communities” says Chris Huskilson, President and CEO of Emera Inc.  “The Black Loyalist story is compelling and inspiring, and celebrating this history nurtures the vitality of the community as a whole.”

On June 6th, 2015 the Society officially opened the Black Loyalist Heritage Centre with the first annual Journey Back to Birchtown celebration. Although the weather proved to be wet and rainy, a crowd gathered to watch performances and celebrate the efforts of the Black Loyalist Heritage Society.

 

The Society Today

Although the Society has come a long way, the work to preserve and share the story of the Black Loyalists continues.

Since the opening of the Black Loyalist Heritage Centre in 2015, the Society has welcomed over 40 thousand visitors to Birchtown to learn about the rich history of the Black Loyalists. The Centre and Site have become a top attraction in Nova Scotia.

Despite the success of the Centre, the Society continues to work to furthering its mandate of discovering, interpreting, safeguarding and promoting the story of the Black Loyalists.

 

Black Loyalist Heritage Society Armorial Bearings

The idea of armorial bearings was initiated in 2003 by the BLHS Board of Directors, who applied to the Canadian Heraldic Authority, under the powers held by the former Governor General of Canada, The Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, for petition for Armorial Bearings. The BLHS is the first Black heritage organization that has received Armorial Bearings, granted and recorded in the Public Register of Arms, Flags and Badges of Canada on March 15th, 2006.

The original concept for the Coat of Arms was designed by Darrel E. Kennedy, Assiniboine Herald, assisted by the Heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority. The artwork was painted by Linda Nicholson.

ARMS: The appearance of the shield portrays directly the nature and purpose of the BLHS. The shield background is black. Loyalist civil coronets allude to the vast majority of people fleeing on fleets of ships who were non combatants. The ship’s wheel is taken from the emblem in use for some time, and represents the ships bringing settlers to their new homes. On one hand, the wheel represents the past, alluding to the ships landing in 1783. On the other hand, it represents the present, alluding to the Society’s role of community development, with various interests meeting together and steering towards a goal.

CREST: The lion and the coronet represent the soldiers under the banner of the Crown whose actions allowed the people to settle in Nova Scotia. The anchor alludes to the sacrifice of the families that required them to raise anchor in their previous home and set down in their home. The mantling has apparent footprints symbolizing the trek the settlers had to make.

MOTTO: The Heart of Your Knowledge is in Your Roots speaks to the interest in their heritage displayed by Society members.

SUPPORTERS: The lions, symbol of the pride of Africa, demonstrates courage, since the people needed that quality to face the hardships and to start a new life. The two coronets are shown red and green, which together with black and gold, are the colours of Africa. Each coronet can represent new life emerging from sacrifice. The rock is the land area around Birchtown where the settlers landed in Nova Scotia, represented by the provincial flower – the mayflower.

The Black Loyalist Flag

The flag is a banner of the arms, meaning that the symbols of the shield represent themselves in a square form.

The Black Loyalist Badge

The Loyalist settlers, represented by the coronet, found a location at Birchtown, marked their spot and now this location in Nova Scotia is memorialized by the saltire pattern.

A Timeline of Our Accomplishments

1993
  • The first archaeological dig in Birchtown takes place, led by Laird Niven.
1994
  • A second archaeological dig takes place, led by Dr. Stephen Davis of St. Mary’s University.
1996
  • On July 20, Birchtown is officially designated a National Historic Site by the National Historic Sites and Monuments Board.
  • The National monument is erected at the Black Burial Ground. The monument recognizes the arrival of the Black Loyalists to Nova Scotia in 1783 and the establishment of Birchtown, largest free Black settlement in Canada at the time.
  • The Society acquires St. Paul’s Anglican Church to be preserved as a Black Loyalist Heritage property.
1997
  • The Society acquires the Old School in Birchtown for preservation.
  • Two more archaeological digs take place in Birchtown.
  • The Society develops a proposal for funding to develop and establish a flagship site in Birchtown for Black Loyalist research and tourism.
  • The Society hires summer students for the first time to offer interpretive guides of the Birchtown site.
1998
  • The Society partners with Nova Scotia Museum on an archaeological and genealogical project around the Black Loyalists.
  • Another archaeological dig results in the discovery of 3,000 artifacts.
  • The Black Loyalist Registry is started to compile a list of current Black Loyalists descendants, their location and information regarding thier family history.
  • The Society receives an award from the province of Nova Scotia for their volunteerism and multiculturalism.
1999
  • Given the organization’s focus on the Black Loyalists, the Shelburne County Cultural Awareness Society is officially renamed the Black Loyalist Heritage Society.
  • The Society acquires four more properties in Birchtown to become the site for the Black Loyalist Heritage Resource Centre and Tourism Site.
2000
  • The Black Loyalist Museum, located in the Old Schoolhouse, is opened. The museum housed an exhibit from the Nova Scotia Museum titled Remembering the Black Loyalists Communities.
  • The Black Loyalist Heritage Society constructs and opens an office in Birchtown.
2001
  • Through Digitial Collections, Industry Canada the Society is able to hire four employees to design and create a website to showcase Black Loyalist history.
  • The Black Loyalist Heritage Society is recognized as a charitable organization and is able to establish a charitable foundation to raise money for the long term goals of a Black Loyalist Heritage Complex.
  • Archaeological digs led by Laird Niven are ongoing. There is also ongoing documentation of rock walls and mounds around Birchtown that date back to the time period of the Black Loyalists.
2002
  • A seawall and boardwalk are constructed around the Black Burial Ground and Monument Site.
  • The initial stages of the Walking Trail are developed for the Black Loyalist Heritage Site in Birchtown.
  • In July, Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia, Her Honour, Myra Freeman visited the Black Loyalist Heritage Site.
  • On October 24, the Governor General of Canada, Her Excellency, the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, visited the Black Loyalist Heritage Site.
2003
  • The attachment to St. Paul’s Church is opened. The building houses public washrooms as well as a gift shop.
  • Underground Railroad to Canada, an exhibit from Buxton National Historic Site & Museum, is hosted at the Black Loyalist Heritage Site.
  • The Society organized Sangoma, a workshop for historians, researchers, community liasons focusing on Black Loyalist history. The goals of the workshop are to discuss issues, share and compare work, and to build collaborations together.
2004
  • Remembering Black Loyalists, Black Communities exhibit opens in the Black Loyalist Museum.
  • The first season of historical re-enactments by the Black Pioneers Acting Group Association is launched.
  • In March, Ketchum Canada Inc. undertook a Fund Raising Planning Study on behalf of the Society to test the feasibility of the proposed campaign for construction of the Black Loyalist Heritage Complex.
2005
  • Liberty! Destination: Nova Scotia map and website are launched as a resource to identify and promote the many fascinating African Nova Scotian historic sites.
  • In August, the Society hosts Mugomeh Historical & Heritage Research Conference.
  • The Black Pioneers Acting Group Association performs two one-act plays by African Nova Scotian author, Dr. Sylvia Hamilton.
  • The Black Loyalist Registry tops 2000 entrants.
2006
  • On March 15, the Black Loyalist Heritage Society is granted its Coat of Arms, Flag and Badge by the Chief Herald of Canada.
  • In April, the Governor General of Canada, Her Excellency, the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean accepted the invitation to become Patron of the Black Loyalist Heritage Society.
2007
  • The Society celebrates African Heritage Month with the Honourable Mayann Francis, Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia in Shelburne. Later that month the Society celebrates with the Governor General of Canada, Her Excellency, the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean at the Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia.
  • St. Paul’s Anglican Church is officially de-consecrated by the Right Reverend Bishop Fred Hiltz. The baptismal font from St. Paul’s was donated to Christ Church, Shelburne by the Society.
2008
  • A design concept for the Birchtown Interpretive Centre is chosen. This concept was created by Filum Ltd. and Peter Henry Architects. The Interpretive Centre would serve as the centrepiece for the Black Loyalist Heritage Site.
2009
  • Funds are secured from both Canada Cultural Spaces, Department of Canadian Heritage as well as Nova Scotia Economic & Rural Development for the development of the Black Loyalist Interpretive Centre.
2010
  • The completed construction documents for the Black Loyalist Interpretive Centre are received.
  • In November, the Governor General of Canada, His Excellency, the Right Honourable David Johnson accepted the invitation to become Patron of the Black Loyalist Heritage Society.
2011
  • Fundraising for the Black Loyalist Heritage Centre project is kicked off with a “Friend Raising” dinner at the Martitime Museum of the Atlantic. This event featured special guest speaker, Lawrence Hill – author of the Book of Negroes.
  • The Society established the goal of $1.5 million, which together with $3 million in government funding, will enable the construction of the Black Loyalist Heritage Centre.
2012
  • On February 22, the Government of Canada, as well as the Province of Nova Scotia publically announce their support for the Black Loyalist Heritage Centre. In total $3.25M in funding is awarded to the project.
  • On June 27, the official ground breaking ceremony for the Black Loyalist Heritage Centre is held.
2013
  • The dream of the Black Loyalist Heritage Centre moves closer to reality, as the Society selects PCL Constructors to build the centre. They also select Skyline Atlantic Canada, in partnership with Lord Cultural Resources and Global Exhibit Technology, to design and create the exhibt which will be housed in the new centre.
2014
  • On March 11, construction of the Black Loyalist Heritage Centre officially begins.
2015
  • The Black Loyalist Heritage Centre officially opened on June 6 with our first annual Journey Back to Birchtown celebration. The celebration included performances by a number of African Nova Scotian performers, as well as remarks from John Franklin of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Lawrence Hill, author of The Book of Negroes.
2016
  • In July, the Society hosts its 1st Anniversary Journey Back to Birchtown celebration. At the festival the documentary Thomas Peters: Man of the People is premiered – the film was directed and written by Sylvia Hamilton comissioned by the Society.
  • The Society was honoured with the Community Development Award at the Shelburne County Community & Business Excellence Awards.
2017
  • The Society hosts a special Journey Back to Birchtown celebration in honour of Canada 150. During the celebration Dr. Carrie Best: Champion of Human Rights premieres – a series of documentary vignettes by Sylvia Hamilton which was comissioned by the Society.
2019
  • At the annual Journey Back to Birchtown celebration, the Society honoured its founding members: Barbara Balcolm, Sterling Bell, Robert Bingham, Ken Brown, Lawrence Bruce, Julieann Bruce, Beverly Cox, Elizabeth Cromwell, Everett Cromwell, Richard Gallion, David Hartley Jr., Deborah Davis Hill, Avril Holden, Jeanette Johnson, Kyle Paterson, Cassie Saunders, Charles Wesley and Priscilla Wesley.
  • The Society welcomed a group of Sierra Leoneans to Birchtown. This special home coming trip was to recognize and celebrate the shared roots between the African Nova Scotian Community and the country of Sierra Leone. The group gifted the Black Loyalist Heritage Society with a tree, which was planted during their visit.
  • The first annual candlelight service is held in St. Paul’s Anglican Church at Christmas time.
2020
  • The first annual Christmas tree lighting is held at the Black Loyalist Heritage Centre.
2021
  • The Black Loyalist Heritage Centre launches its first virtual tour package just in time for African Heritage Month. The virtual tour is seen by over 1,000 people during the first year.
  • Society is honoured with a commermorative coin by the Canadian Mint for African Heritage Month.
  • The Change is Brewing Collective, in collaboration with Boxing Rock Brewing Company, launch the Back to Birchtown Old Stock Ale – a craft beer inspired by the history of the Black Loyalists.