Colchester Historeum Museum & Archives

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Colchester Historeum Museum & Archives Explore Colchester's past and present through fascinating museum exhibits and archival resources Our Gift Shop offers local publications for purchase.

The Colchester Historical Society continues to preserve and present Colchester County’s past by striving to offer an authentic and inclusive perspective of local history and culture through community and visitor engagement in its operation of the Colchester Historeum, a museum and archives located in Truro, Nova Scotia. Using contemporary methods of interpretation, collections management, and education, we encourage conversation, understanding, and meaningful connections between all individuals. The Museum collects, preserves and exhibits artifacts and stories related to Colchester heritage. The Archives preserves thousands of records, documents, publications and photos to help with historical and genealogical research.

If you are interested in Saturday's Colchester Historical Society Antique Roadshow, today is your last chance to purchas...
10/16/2026

If you are interested in Saturday's Colchester Historical Society Antique Roadshow, today is your last chance to purchase advance tickets. Limited tickets will be available at the door.

Tickets are $15 and provide 15 minutes of appraisal time for up to two items. Our appraisers include community experts Clair Peers, Cees van den Hoek, James Bryson, and Paul Clark. Easily portable items are recommended.

For more information or to reserve tickets, contact 902-895-6284, email [email protected] or visit us at 29 Young Street. You can also purchase a ticket by sending an e-transfer to [email protected]

Young Benjamin and his family live on an isolated Nova Scotia island. There is no church, no school, no store, no commun...
10/15/2026

Young Benjamin and his family live on an isolated Nova Scotia island. There is no church, no school, no store, no community; just them.

But Benjamin has a vivid imagination that fills his life with adventure. He sees pirates and sea monsters; devilish black dogs, schooners laden with treasure bound for his island.

And he sees a man with an axe in his hand.

In 1842, John Ruff was killed in a logging accident at his home on Fundy Five Islands' Moose Island. Two years later, one of his young sons came forward to say the incident was no accident.

What really happened to John Ruff?

Join author Laura Churchill Duke at 7pm tonight as she dives into the history of this event, as portrayed in her historic true crime novel, “Ruff Tides.”

Admission by donation; free to CHS members.

For Throwback Thursday we are sharing a photo of Joseph Julien (1871-1957). He was chief of Membertou Reserve for some t...
10/15/2026

For Throwback Thursday we are sharing a photo of Joseph Julien (1871-1957). He was chief of Membertou Reserve for some time before coming to Millbrook in 1916, where he was chief until his death in 1957.

A photo from the same series exists in the Nova Scotia Museum’s Mi’kmaq Portraits Collection, reference number P113/ N-2346. It is described as follows: “This staged photograph shows the chief at Truro in a Plains Indian's eagle-feather headdress and a nineteenth-century Mi'kmaq man's coat; he is seated at a shaving-horse whittling axe handles.”

October is Mi'kmaw History Month, a time to commemorate the rich history, proud culture and important contributions of the Mi'kmaq people.

Do you own an antique or vintage treasure with a hidden past? Bring your items to the Colchester Historical Society Anti...
10/14/2026

Do you own an antique or vintage treasure with a hidden past? Bring your items to the Colchester Historical Society Antique Roadshow!

Join us at the Historeum on Saturday, Oct. 17 from 10am to 2pm and discover what your collectibles are worth while supporting a vital community fundraiser for the museum and archives.

Tickets are $15 and provide 15 minutes of appraisal time for up to two items. Our appraisers include community experts Clair Peers, Cees van den Hoek, James Bryson, and Paul Clark. Easily portable items are recommended.

For more information or to reserve tickets, contact 902-895-6284, email [email protected] or visit us at 29 Young Street. You can also purchase a ticket by sending an e-transfer to [email protected]

Interested in Cobequid Chapters, the new Colchester Historical Society book club? Join members at 10am on Friday, Oct. 1...
10/14/2026

Interested in Cobequid Chapters, the new Colchester Historical Society book club? Join members at 10am on Friday, Oct. 16 as they share their views on October's book selection, "Five Seasons of Charlie Francis."

November's book choice is historic true crime novel, “Ruff Tides,” by author Laura Churchill Duke. Get involved, share your thoughts, and learn community history!
Participation is by donation or free to CHS members.

Due to staff shortage, the Historeum archives is closed today, Tuesday, Oct. 13. The museum is open regular hours 10am-4...
10/13/2026

Due to staff shortage, the Historeum archives is closed today, Tuesday, Oct. 13. The museum is open regular hours 10am-4pm. Please ring the doorbell for admission.

In 1842, John Ruff was killed in a logging accident at his home on Fundy Five Islands' Moose Island. Two years later, on...
10/08/2026

In 1842, John Ruff was killed in a logging accident at his home on Fundy Five Islands' Moose Island. Two years later, one of his young sons came forward to say the incident was no accident.

What really happened to John Ruff?

Join author Laura Churchill Duke at 7pm on Thursday, October 15 as she dives into the history of this event, as portrayed in her historic true crime novel, “Ruff Tides.”

Admission by donation, free to CHS members.

For Throwback Thursday we are sharing a photo of Mary Ann Brooks (1901-1992) as well as an article published prior to he...
10/08/2026

For Throwback Thursday we are sharing a photo of Mary Ann Brooks (1901-1992) as well as an article published prior to her presentation to Pope John Paul II in 1984.

Born at Whycocomagh Reserve, Cape Breton, she was a daughter of Stephen and Elizabeth (Christmas) Sylliboy. She married Joseph Brooks (1891-1976) and the couple moved to Millbrook. They had two children: Stephen, who died in infancy, and Kathleen. Shortly after her marriage, Mary Ann began working as caretaker of the Sacred Heart Catholic Mission Church in Millbrook. In 1983, after 66 years of service, she was presented with a Diocesan Medal of Merit, and the following year, she was chosen to represent the people of Millbrook before Pope John Paul II.

Brooks died at Millbrook on July 12, 1992, aged 91. She is buried at Sacred Heart Cemetery.

October is Mi'kmaw History Month, a time to commemorate the rich history, proud culture and important contributions of the Mi'kmaq people.

Join us for the Colchester Historical Society Antique Roadshow on Saturday, Oct. 17 and learn the history and value of y...
10/02/2026

Join us for the Colchester Historical Society Antique Roadshow on Saturday, Oct. 17 and learn the history and value of your collectibles while supporting a vital community fundraiser for the Historeum.

Tickets are $15 and provide 15 minutes of appraisal time for up to two items. Appraisers are community experts Clair Peers, Cees van den Hoek, James Bryson, and Paul Clark. Easily portable items are recommended.

For more information, contact 902-895-6284, email [email protected] or visit us at 29 Young Street. You can also purchase a ticket by sending a $15 etransfer to [email protected]

For Throwback Thursday we have several photos and an article from the Halifax Chronicle Herald and Truro Daily News on t...
10/01/2026

For Throwback Thursday we have several photos and an article from the Halifax Chronicle Herald and Truro Daily News on the occasion of the opening of the Abenaki Motor Inn, Abenaki Road, Millbrook, June 1975. The Abenaki Motor Inn was described as the first Indigenous-owned and operated motel complex in eastern Canada. The opening brought several dignitaries to Millbrook, including Grand Chief Donald Marshall. Today, Townsview Estates is located on the former site of the motel.

October is Mi'kmaw History Month, a time to commemorate the rich history, proud culture and important contributions of the Mi'kmaq people.

Address

29 Young Street
Truro, NS
B2N3W3

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10am - 12pm
1pm - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 12pm
1pm - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 12pm
1pm - 4pm
Friday 10am - 12pm
1pm - 4pm

Telephone

+19028956284

Website

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