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Shelburne, Nova Scotia

A Maritime Chronicle of Resilience and Heritage: Exploring the historical layers and community spirit of a foundational Canadian coastal town.

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A Rich Historical Tapestry

Indigenous Roots

The Shelburne region has been inhabited for approximately 13,000 years, with the Mi'kmaq First Nations utilizing the sheltered harbour, known as Logumkeegan or Sogumkeagum, traveling along the Roseway River. Their territory was part of Mi'kma'ki, divided into seven districts.

Early European Encounters

French Acadians established a fishing settlement named Port Razoir in the late 17th century. Ownership shifted between French and British control, with Acadians facing displacement and exile between 1756 and 1759 due to conflicts and political shifts.

Loyalist Influx

In 1783, following the American Revolution, approximately 5,000 Loyalists, including 1,500 Black Loyalists, arrived from New York. They sought land and compensation from the British Crown. Birchtown, west of Shelburne, became the largest free Black settlement in North America.

Tensions and Conflict

Initial hopes for Shelburne were tempered by land grant disparities and competition for resources. This led to significant tensions, culminating in the Shelburne Riots of July 1784, North America's first recorded race riot, reflecting broader racist prejudices faced by Black Loyalists.

Economic Decline and Resurgence

By 1784, Shelburne's population reached 10,000, fostering industries like fishing and lumber. However, economic challenges and emigration, including the departure of many Black Loyalists to Sierra Leone, led to a population decline to around 300 by the 1820s. The town was eventually incorporated in 1907, with fishing and marine supplies remaining key industries.

A Legacy of Shipbuilding

Foundations of Maritime Trade

Shipbuilding has been a historically vital industry in Shelburne. The first vessel, the Roseway, was launched in 1786. Commissary Island and Black's Brook served as significant shipyards, supporting international trade and fishing fleets.

Notable Figures

Donald McKay, a renowned American clipper ship builder, began his career in Shelburne before apprenticing in New York. Master shipbuilders like Amos Pentz and James Havelock Harding contributed significantly, constructing fishing schooners and the research yacht Blue Dolphin in 1926.

Modern Maritime Activity

While large-scale shipbuilding is less prominent, the J C Williams Dory Shop continues traditional construction methods. The Shelburne shipyard also plays a role in modern contracts, such as those awarded to Irving Shipbuilding, and supports aquaculture operations.

Architectural Heritage

Loyalist Era Structures

Many buildings in Shelburne date back to the Loyalist period. The Shelburne County Museum, a restored 1787 home, and the original Christ Church site (consecrated in 1790) are testaments to this era. Buildings on Water Street and George Street still stand from 1783.

Film Production Hub

Shelburne's historic waterfront, particularly Dock Street, has served as a backdrop for numerous films and television series, including Mary Silliman's War, The Scarlet Letter, The Book of Negroes, and Moby Dick (2011 miniseries), preserving some structures with period paint finishes.

Climate Profile

Temperate Coastal Influence

Shelburne experiences a warm-summer humid continental climate (Kรถppen Dfb), moderated by the Atlantic Ocean. Winters are wet and cold with frequent precipitation, while summers are characterized by morning fogs, especially in June and early July, followed by warm days.

Climate data for Shelburne, NS
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high ยฐC (ยฐF) 13.9
(57.0)
14
(57)
18.3
(64.9)
25.6
(78.1)
31.1
(88.0)
34.5
(94.1)
33.3
(91.9)
36.1
(97.0)
27.8
(82.0)
24.5
(76.1)
20.6
(69.1)
15
(59)
36.1
(97.0)
Mean daily maximum ยฐC (ยฐF) 0.9
(33.6)
1
(34)
5
(41)
10
(50)
15.4
(59.7)
19.9
(67.8)
23.1
(73.6)
23.1
(73.6)
19.3
(66.7)
14.1
(57.4)
9
(48)
4.1
(39.4)
12.1
(53.8)
Daily mean ยฐC (ยฐF) โˆ’3.7
(25.3)
โˆ’3.5
(25.7)
0.5
(32.9)
5.2
(41.4)
9.9
(49.8)
14.3
(57.7)
17.6
(63.7)
17.6
(63.7)
13.9
(57.0)
9
(48)
4.6
(40.3)
โˆ’0.5
(31.1)
7.1
(44.8)
Daily mean minimum ยฐC (ยฐF) โˆ’8.3
(17.1)
โˆ’8
(18)
โˆ’4
(25)
0.3
(32.5)
4.4
(39.9)
8.7
(47.7)
12.1
(53.8)
12.1
(53.8)
8.4
(47.1)
3.9
(39.0)
0.2
(32.4)
โˆ’5
(23)
2.1
(35.8)
Record low ยฐC (ยฐF) โˆ’22.8
(โˆ’9.0)
โˆ’23.4
(โˆ’10.1)
โˆ’24
(โˆ’11)
โˆ’9.4
(15.1)
โˆ’4.4
(24.1)
0.5
(32.9)
3.3
(37.9)
2.4
(36.3)
โˆ’3.5
(25.7)
โˆ’7.8
(18.0)
โˆ’14.3
(6.3)
โˆ’24.6
(โˆ’12.3)
โˆ’24.6
(โˆ’12.3)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 151.3
(5.96)
107.3
(4.22)
121.5
(4.78)
123
(4.8)
96.3
(3.79)
102.7
(4.04)
105.6
(4.16)
82.3
(3.24)
101.9
(4.01)
112.5
(4.43)
132.1
(5.20)
156.6
(6.17)
1,393.1
(54.85)
Average snowfall cm (inches) 49.6
(19.5)
31.3
(12.3)
26.5
(10.4)
7.4
(2.9)
0.1
(0.0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
2
(0.8)
5.6
(2.2)
31.7
(12.5)
154.2
(60.7)
Source: climate.weatheroffice.ec.gc.ca[10]

Population Dynamics

Historical Population Trends

Shelburne's population has seen significant fluctuations. From an estimated 10,000 in 1784, it declined to 1,445 by 1901. While experiencing growth in the mid-20th century, recent decades show a decline, with the 2021 Census recording 1,644 residents, a 5.7% decrease from 2016.

Historical population
Year Pop. ยฑ%
1784 10,000 โ€”
1901 1,445 โˆ’85.5%
1911 1,435 โˆ’0.7%
1921 1,360 โˆ’5.2%
1931 1,474 +8.4%
1941 1,605 +8.9%
1951 2,040 +27.1%
1956 2,337 +14.6%
1961 2,408 +3.0%
1981 2,303 โˆ’4.4%
1986 2,312 +0.4%
1991 2,245 โˆ’2.9%
1996 2,132 โˆ’5.0%
2001 2,013 โˆ’5.6%
2006 1,879 โˆ’6.7%
2011 1,686 โˆ’10.3%
2016 1,743 +3.4%
2021 1,644 โˆ’5.7%
[11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18]

Population Density

With a land area of 8.75 km2, Shelburne had a population density of 187.9/km2 in 2021. The town's location within Shelburne County places it in the broader context of southwestern Nova Scotia's demographic landscape.

Environmental Hazards & Equity

The Morvan Road Landfill

Established in 1946 near the African Nova Scotian community, the Morvan Road Landfill accepted various waste types. Decades of burning waste generated significant air pollution, raising health concerns including respiratory issues and potential increases in cancer rates within the surrounding community.

Environmental Racism

The landfill's proximity to minority communities highlights issues of environmental racism, a pattern observed across Nova Scotia. Research by the ENRICH Project and community advocacy through the South End Environmental Injustice Society (SEED) documented disproportionate health impacts and spurred action.

Community Action and Change

Community mobilization led to the closure of the landfill to external waste in June 2016 and its complete closure in December 2016. This effort contributed to broader discussions and legislative initiatives, such as Bill C-230, addressing environmental racism in Canada.

A Cinematic Setting

Filming Location

Shelburne's historic waterfront has been a popular site for film productions. Notable productions include Mary Silliman's War (1992), The Scarlet Letter (1995), Virginia's Run, Wilby Wonderful, and portions of the miniseries Moby Dick (2011). More recently, The Book of Negroes (2014) and the documentary There's Something in the Water (2019) were filmed in the area.

Community Resources

McKay Memorial Library

The McKay Memorial Library, located at 17 Glasgow Street, serves as a significant branch of the Western Counties Regional Library system. It has been a fixture in the community since its establishment in 1970, providing essential public library services.

Natural Spaces

Provincial Park Access

The Islands Provincial Park is situated nearby within the Municipality of the District of Shelburne, offering residents and visitors access to natural recreational spaces.

Notable Individuals

Community Figures

Shelburne has been home to individuals who have made contributions in various fields. Notable figures include Jody Holden, a beach volleyball player, and Gideon White, a politician and military captain.

Further Exploration

Related Topics

For a broader understanding of Nova Scotia's administrative and community structures, consult lists of municipalities, counties, towns, and villages. The history of Black Loyalists and their impact on Canadian society is also a significant area of study.

References

Source Material

The information presented herein is derived from the comprehensive Wikipedia article on Shelburne, Nova Scotia, and its cited sources.

Authority Control

Identifiers

This section provides links to external databases for standardized identification and cataloging of Shelburne, Nova Scotia.

  • VIAF
  • GND
  • United States Library of Congress
  • Israel National Library
  • Yale LUX

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References

References

  1.  "Shelburne", Place Names of Nova Scotia Nova Scotia Archives and Records Management, p. 618
  2.  Geoffery Plank. An Unsettled Conquest. University of Pennsylvania. 2001. p. 76=77; J.S. McLennan. Louisbourg. The Bookroom Limited. 1979. p. 64
  3.  Dan Conlin, Pirates of the Atlantic: Robbery, Murder and Mayhem off the Canadian East Coast (2009) Formac Publishing, p. 35-37.
  4.  The Americans, novascotia.com. Retrieved March 14, 2011
  5.  https://www66.statcan.gc.ca/eng/acyb_c1967-eng.aspx?opt=/eng/1967/196702210189_p.%20189.pdf , Census 1961
  6.  Scotia.html, Census 1991รขย€ย“2006
  7.  WCRL รขย€ย“ McKay Memorial Library. Retrieved August 13, 2010.
A full list of references for this article are available at the Shelburne, Nova Scotia Wikipedia page

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Disclaimer

Important Notice

This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on a snapshot of publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date.

This is not professional advice. The information provided on this website is not a substitute for professional historical research, urban planning, or community development consultation. Always refer to official municipal records and consult with qualified professionals for specific needs.

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