Africville Museum Explained

Location:Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Type:History museum

The Africville Museum is a museum in Halifax, Nova Scotia, which shares the history of the Africville community.

In 2010, a compensation agreement was made between the City of Halifax and the Africville Genealogical Society, as the City had relocated residents and demolished the long-standing Africville community in the 1960s.[1] Compensation funds were used to construct a replica of the Seaville United Baptist Church, which now houses the museum.

Background

The Africanville neighborhood was condemned and demolished in the 1960s. The Africville Genealogy Society was founded in 1983, to remember the demolished community.[2] In March 1996, the Africville Genealogy Society filed a lawsuit against the City of Halifax for compensation for the harm caused by the relocation and demolition.

Africville was designated a National Historic Site by Parks Canada in 1997.[3]

Development and construction

Between 2005 and 2009, plans were developed for the reconstruction of the Seaville United Baptist Church and the creation of an Africville Interpretive Centre.

In February 2010, the Mayor of Halifax apologized to former Africville residents and their families. The settlement of the lawsuit included $3mil to support the construction plans.[4]

Construction was completed on the church and museum in July 2012.[5] The site is operated by the Africville Heritage Trust Board, including members of former Africville families.[6]

In June 2023, the Government of Nova Scotia announced $150,000 in funding to support the museum's further development.[7]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: McRae . Matthew . 2017-02-23 . The story of Africville . 2024-02-15 . Canadian Museum for Human Rights . en.
  2. Web site: Africville . 2024-02-15 . www.halifax.ca . en.
  3. Web site: 2023-03-08 . Africville — National historic site designation - Africville National Historic Site . 2024-02-15 . Parks Canada Agency.
  4. Web site: Africville Museum gets $150K in first public funding since settlement . 2024-02-15 . The Signal.
  5. News: 2012-07-24 . Africville replica church complete for reunion . CBC News.
  6. Web site: Africville Museum . To Do Canada.
  7. News: Gorman . Michael . 2023-01-30 . Strategic plan to guide future of historic Africville Park . CBC News.