Welcome

GUYSBOROUGH COUNTY HERITAGE ASSOCIATION

The Guysborough County Heritage Association (GCHA) became a registered non-profit society in July of 2002. The society consists of approximately 17 heritage/culture organizations from across the county.

The their intentions are to work as a cohesive group to develop the county’s heritage and in turn present this facet of the county’s cultural mosaic to its various publics.

Given the diversity of members and associations who belong to this collective, the general consensus of the group was the need to determine a framework from which to evolve and grow. Guysborough County Heritage Association began the implementation process for their strategic plan in October 2003 and concluded this process in May 2004, with the assistance of the Guysborough County Regional Development Authority staff. Through a strategic planning process, the organization wanted to establish its long-term goals by developing a community vision statement as well as devising a framework to meet the goals of the group. Those involved with the process were members and executive who are representing their respective groups.

VISION

The vision for the Guysborough County Heritage Association is that Guysborough County offers you the opportunity to live, learn and experience our diverse heritage.

MISSION

To operate as a unified organization focused on the same vision and strategic issues as defined by the members. Through a collective voice the group will work on the delivery of its Strategic Plan, which focuses on sharing of information, (communication plan), heritage awareness, museum management, knowing and sharing our heritage product, youth participation, as well as improved promotions and communications throughout the county in regards to informing the public on our heritage product.

Afrikan Canadian Heritage Friendship Centre


The Centre holds numerous valuable resources recording the history and heritage of African Nova Scotians in the Guysborough and Strait regions, it was established in 2001 and runs under the auspices of the Strait District School Board.

A collection of photographs, publications and newspaper articles documenting the history of African Nova Scotians in and from the area is on display. The Centre runs many programs and invites speakers for students and teachers within Chedabucto Place, and is also open as a resource centre to other schools and educational institutions. The Afrikan Canadian Heritage and Friendship Centre is open to the public.

The Black Loyalist Graveyard, Monastery
Hidden away, just off Route 16, is a graveyard marked with a monument celebrating the Black Loyalists who began settling the area in the late 1700’s. These Loyalist families settled as farmers raising livestock, and trades people who worked for their wages.

No one is sure how many people are buried here. There is only one tombstone standing on the site, marking the resting place of a soldier who died in 1918. This graveyard was lost to the community for many years. After its return to the community, the congregation of the Tracadie United Baptist Church erected a cairn on the site.

The inscription reads: “In memory of the pioneers of the Black Community, 1782-1931 who are buried in this cemetery. This cairn was erected by the Tracadie United Baptist Church members in 1988.?

African Canadian Heritage 

Tracadie United Baptist Church, Antigonish County
The church was started in 1822 with a congregation consisting of the descendants of Black Loyalists who came to the area in the late 1700’s. The church often shared its pastor with the nearby community of Sunnyville.

There is a cemetery on site, reflecting the names of the families who settled in and were part of the communities. Some of the names seen on the stones today include Elms, Parris, Reddick, Campbell and Izzard.

The Church has served as a focal point for a long time, with gatherings of men’s groups and women’s clubs for the community. Members often combine their efforts to make contributions towards their own and the broader community. In 1988 members erected a monument to celebrate the history of the Black Loyalists in a recovered graveyard in Monastery.

Sunnyville United Baptist Church
The Black Loyalists arrived in the Guysborough area, and by the late 1800’s had established a number of communities throughout the area. They faced rough winters and harsh, farming summers, yet persevered.

According to a historical account written by M. Allen Gibson:
The first reference to a Sunday School in connection with the Sunnyville church is from 1925. There were 26 scholars and Mrs. Mable Borden of Guysborough was the superintendent.

The date of the building in which people worshipped is not clear. The first mention of it in denominational records, however, was in 1925. There, for the first time in those records, a reference appears stating the existence of a church building the value of which was given as $1,000. The clerk of the congregation at that time was Mrs. James Skinner.

One of the longest pastorates in the church story was that of Rev. H. C. Cornish who served at Tracadie and Sunnyville for a number of years following his settlement there in 1964. Perhaps the most remarkable record of longevity is that of Ira Jewell who became clerk of the church in 1963.”

Afrikan Canadian Heritage Friendship Centre

The Centre holds numerous valuable resources recording the history and heritage of African Nova Scotians in the Guysborough and Strait …

Welcome

GUYSBOROUGH COUNTY HERITAGE ASSOCIATION The Guysborough County Heritage Association (GCHA) became a registered non-profit society in July of 2002. The …

Welcome

GUYSBOROUGH COUNTY HERITAGE ASSOCIATION The Guysborough County Heritage Association (GCHA) became a registered non-profit society in July of 2002. The …