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Historical achievements celebrated at the Colchester Historeum’s Heritage Awards
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TRURO, N.S. — Historians, archivists, and even real estate developers were recognized for their contributions to Colchester’s historical record at the Colchester Historeum’s 2023 Heritage Awards.
“The purpose of this event is to recognize the work of various heritage enthusiasts who have completed projects such as books on local history, restoration of historic structures, as well as celebrate local heritage in any number of other ways that we celebrate and spread knowledge of heritage in our area,” said Ken Henderson, president of the historeum’s board of directors, prior to the awards ceremony.
The first to receive an award was author David C. Clarke, who penned a book titled Hard Times, which details the history of Tatamagouche and the surrounding area throughout the 1950s and 60s. Colchester Historical Society member Terry White presented the award to Clark.
Next was Donna Hogan, who expanded upon her mother’s previous work detailing the history of the Truro Music Festival (titled Making a Joyful Noise) with her own book, More Joyful Noise, for the festival’s 100th anniversary. Henderson provided Hogan with her award.
Dr. Lynn Jones followed, accepting an award for her work preserving one of Truro’s historically Black neighbourhoods (known colloquially as the ‘Marsh’) through a community land trust, ensuring that housing remains available and affordable in the area.
After being presented the award by society member David Boehm, Jones turned to the audience to give a passionate speech.
“One thing about land trusts is that it’s not about individuals,” said Jones. “Land trusts are so much about communities and grass-roots (organizers) advocating for change in their communities.
“Our community was a vibrant African Nova Scotian community with hundreds of kids. Some of the people from that community are here this evening. Then, forward to today, and there are absolutely no children of that African Nova Scotian community that live there. There are only two and a half homes of people that live there that were from the African Nova Scotian community. I’m half because I’m half-time in Truro and half-time in Halifax.”
Jones cited environmental racism and discrimination as the reason why people of African Nova Scotian descent had left the Marsh.
“I thought, this can’t be,” continued Jones. “We need housing in this community, in Truro. So my aim will be turned back so we can bring some of those residents back again to affordable housing in the community.”
An eruption of applause from the crowd followed Jones’ speech.
Following Jones was board member Leslie Burrows, who wrote a compilation book of the graves at the Green Oak Graveyardm titled Giving Back Their Voices. Historeum researcher Joanne Hunt presented Burrows with her award.
Next was the North Shore Archives Society, based in Tatamagouche, which received an award for its dedication to providing historical education in the area. Bill Thompson, representing the society, accepted the award from Henderson.
The Millbrook Cultural and Heritage Centre, represented by Heather Stevens, received the next award for successfully repatriating Mi’kmaq regalia that had previously spent the last 100 years in Australia. Stevens, who led the repatriation efforts, commented on being recognized for her work after giving a heartfelt speech.
“I’m emotional, ecstatic for my people,” said Stevens. “It wasn’t for me, it was for the Cultural Centre, for Millbrook, for Mi’kmak’i, all of us. I’m honoured to receive it.
“I’ve never attended one of these before, but I’ll be attending from now on. This is something that will be with me forever.”
The last award of the night, the Robert Hilchey Architectural Heritage Award, presented by the Town of Truro, went to Ryan Johnstone for his work restoring the property of 81 Brunswick St. while keeping the historical architectural design at the forefront. The award was presented by Coun. Cathy Hinton.
For more on the awards ceremony or the Colchester Historeum, visit their website at colchesterhistoreum.ca.
