Shelburne NS

Since I (Miss T. Brown) could not find a suitable page on my home town I decided to put together my own. It isn't perfect but maybe someday I'll get it to be just the way I want it. So this page will be under construction for a little while.



This picture is of Dock Street, where most of the towns museums can be found.


History

Shelburne, which was named after Lord Shelburne, British Secretary of State for the colonies, was founded in 1783, when following the American Revolution thousands of Loyalists settled the area to start their new lives. They came primarily on the recommendation of Gideon White of Plymouth Massachuettes, who recommended the area because of its "fine harbour, safe distance from the sea and potential for the fishery."

From the beginning the little town was prominent in its fishery and its productive saw mills. At one point the town had established two newspapers, multiple coffee houses, and many spacious homes and elegant places of business. In the 1800s when the ship-building boom swept Nova Scotia Shelburne was not left behind. Everything from patrol vessels to graceful yachts could be seen in the harbour, coming from and going to the shipyards for repairs or an occasional refitting. The town was also very much a part of the military, with barracks established at the entrance to the harbour for the defense of the sea as well as the town.

Despite the fortune the town saw in the beginning, Shelburne soon became a crowded little town with little available land for new settlers or for expanding business. This eventually led to the movement of people from the town to various parts of Nova Scotia, and some even back overseas. Although thousands came in the beginning today the town has little more than 2500 people.


Today

You can still walk through Shelburne and see much of its history. Dock Street gives you a view of the towns history through buildings such as the Ross - Thompson House which is an authentic Loyalist home and store. There is also the Shelburne County Museum which has a permanent display of many Loyalist artifacts, and microfilm of early newspapers. These are just a few of the places to stop in to and enjoy.

In 1994, Dock Street was transformed from its normal look into a market place and farming area for the filming of the movie, "A" The Scarlet Letter. Some of the buildings are still up for people from the area and tourists to see and enjoy.



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