Cape Sable Historical Society

09/04/2026

08/28/2026

08/19/2026

💙 Rainbow Wednesday: The First Piece of Nova Scotia Tartan 💙

For this week’s Rainbow Wednesday, we’re celebrating blue with a remarkable piece of Nova Scotia history.

This Scottish shepherd is part of the Nova Scotia Sheep Breeders Association Mural, created in 1953. The cloth used for his clothing was designed by Mrs. Bessie Murray, President of the Halifax Weavers Guild, specifically for the mural.

What makes this piece especially significant is that the cloth you see here is the first piece of the Nova Scotia Tartan.

Mrs. Murray had “just made up” the design, intending to create a pattern that would avoid favouring any particular Scottish clan. Instead, the design proved so popular that it was soon in demand. It was officially registered as the Nova Scotia Tartan in 1954 and later adopted as part of Nova Scotia’s provincial heraldry in 1963.

The tartan’s colours reflect Nova Scotia’s landscape and history, including October Blue, representing the blue of the sea. 💙

Today, the Cape Sable Historical Society is proud to be the custodian of this mural—and of the first piece of Nova Scotia Tartan, woven into its history.

07/21/2026

It is with deep sadness that we learn of the passing of Laurie "Dickie" Wickens, former board member of the Cape Sable Historical Society and a well known activist within the S**g Harbour community.

Dickie’s dedication to preserving and honouring the rich heritage of our region was extraordinary. As a tireless advocate for local history, tourism, and a foundational voice in sharing the story of the 1967 S**g Harbour UFO Incident, his contributions were vital in keeping our region's unique past alive for generations to come.

Beyond his work with the Society, Dickie will be remembered for his steadfast commitment to his community, his determination and passion for heritage stewardship. His absence will be felt by all who knew and collaborated with him.

Dickie once told us that though his given name was Laurie, in memory of his Mother's brother that passed from cancer at a young age, they used a shortened form of Richardson-Dickie, as using his given name was a painful reminder for his Grandmother of the loss of her beloved son.

We extend our sincere condolences to Dickie’s family, friends, and loved ones during this time of mourning. May he rest in peace.

View Laurie Richardson Wickens's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

07/09/2026

A Historical Loss: Demolition of The Church of the Ascension (The Old Anglican Church) in Barrington Passage

Yesterday, after 180 years of standing as a historical landmark in Barrington Passage, the Anglican Church was demolished. It was one of the oldest remaining structures in Barrington Passage.

When the Township of Barrington was established in 1761, Anglicanism was not practiced within its communities, as most families at that time were Congregationalists. It was not until the 1780’s that Anglicans came to Barrington from Shelburne. Their numbers were few; in 1790, there were 120 families in the Barrington Township, with those of the Anglican faith accounting for only six of them. While their congregation was small, their faith was strong, and their members were responsible for erecting this church in the Passage by the Barrington Bay in 1846.

The deed for the Anglican Church was registered on June 10, 1846 from Thomas O. Geddes, (1805-1886) a medical doctor in the Barrington Township, to the Right Reverend John Inglis, Bishop of Nova Scotia. Its construction was completed that year, and Reverend Nichols was appointed as the first minister there.

Around 1858, a rectory for the Anglican Church was built adjacent to the nearby Oddfellows Hall. It was used as such until the 1880s when it became an inn known as “Rock Cottage”. Following its history as an inn, it wore many hats until its demolition in the early 2010’s, including a Captain’s home, an apartment building, and a well-known business, Seabreeze Cablevision. An apartment building sits on this property present day.

Our historical records tell the story of a passionate woman whose faith contributed to the history of Anglicanism in the Barrington Township. Mrs. Sarah (Van Norden) Robertson, (1786-1866) an Anglican originally from Tusket, moved to the Barrington area with her husband, William, in 1814. Sarah and William were of different religious denominations, which they ended up compromising on by bringing up their sons as Presbyterians and their daughters as Anglicans. One of their daughters, Sarah (Robertson) Crowell, grew up to share her mother’s strong Anglican faith and became a vital and long-standing member of the Anglican Church in Barrington Passage. Both of these women are buried in the Anglican Cemetery at Barrington Passage, a close distance from where the church stood. There are around 50 people buried at the Anglican Cemetery, with the earliest stone dating back to 1851.

A celebration for the church’s 150th anniversary was held on May 16, 1996. For several years, the Anglican Church was the oldest church in the Municipality of Barrington that was still in steady operation, until its deconsecration in the early 2010’s. Since that time, the building has sat vacant and has slowly been deteriorating.

When we pass by these local historical landmarks, we rarely imagine how they came to be. To erect these century-old buildings was a true labour of love and dedication by the people of the Barrington Township long ago. Congregation members would fundraise and have their place of worship constructed, with much attention to detail and craftsmanship that is rarely seen in construction today. The Anglican Church was a Gothic-style church, built similar to other churches of this area. Early details of the church that remained prior to its demolition included its Gothic-shaped windows and its tin ceiling. Several exterior and interior architectural details of this church were modified throughout its lifetime.

This local landmark stood by the Barrington Bay for 180 years. It will certainly be missed. ❤️

07/02/2026

The Christian Bethel Baptist Church 🔔 (1851-1886)

Next up in our historic homes and properties of Brass Hill series, we have the former Christian Bethel Baptist Church.

Once located on the grounds of where the Hillside Cemetery on Brass Hill is today, the Christian Bethel Baptist Church was completed in 1851 by citizens of the Brass Hill area who owned shares in the building.

The church was formed in 1847 due to a disagreement within the Sherose Island Meeting House congregation (the Island Meeting House was built in 1785 and was located on the mainland near the road to Sherose Island). The disagreement centered on which ministers should preach there and the overall usage of the Meeting House. The end result lead to the congregation splitting in two, with one half staying at the Island Meeting House, and the other leaving to build the Christian Bethel Baptist Church.

The frame of the Christian Bethel Baptist Church was raised by John and Smith Wilson and was approximately 32 by 40 feet. There were two large gothic windows on each side of the church, and the belfry housed the first church bell in the area, which could be heard as far as Port La Tour. There is no recorded history of what the interior of the church looked like. The adjacent Bethel Cemetery on the church grounds was established after the church was opened in 1851. In 1902, this cemetery was renamed Hillside Cemetery. 🪦

In 1866, the Free Will Baptists and the Free Christian Baptists merged together once again as the Free Baptists, which lead to the church services rotating between the Bethel Baptist and the Island Meeting House. Around 1878, there were plans to expand the Bethel Baptist Church to house the congregation, but the renovations were never completed. Plans then began to build a larger church instead, which would house the full congregation. ⛪️

The Bethel Baptist Church continued to be used for services and meetings, and the Sherose Island Meeting House was torn down around 1883, with its materials to be used in the construction of the Temple United Baptist Church at the foot of Brass Hill. The Temple United Baptist Church was opened in 1886, and shortly after the Bethel Baptist Church was taken down as well, its frame and panelling used in the construction of the addition of a duplex on the Captain William S. Hopkins house on Brass Hill (this large home is now demolished). The last recorded meeting at the Christian Bethel Baptist Church was on January 25, 1886. The bell from the old Bethel Church that stood on Brass Hill is now housed at the Temple Church. 🔔

Did you know about this piece of Brass Hill history? Stay tuned for our next post!

06/26/2026

📖 Woods Harbour Days – Historical Feature
📍 From the Woods Harbour High School Annual (1912–1913)
🌊 Early History of Woods Harbour

Where Wood's Harbor now stands was formerly a dense forest. There were not any roads or buildings of any description.

The only inhabitants were Indigenous who belonged to the Micmac tribe. Their homes were along the Clyde and Barrington Rivers, but they frequently came to Fall's Point and Forbes' Point, and there encamped.

The first white man who came to Wood's Harbor was the Rev. Samuel Wood, a church of England Minister after whom the place was named. He took up a grant of 1,100 acres of land on May 15th, 1772.

Later, a number of fishermen from Cape Cod come on fishing excursions. They caught the fish, dried them, and returned home. In the course of time they got twenty-one grants of land from the Government, and removed to Wood's Harbor with their wives and families. Among these early settlers were Nickerson, McGuires, Chetwynds, Donaldsons, Garrons, and Forbes, of English, Irish and Scotch origin.

As fishing was their chief occupation, the people naturally built houses near the shore. They made small boats for them-selves, and afterwards built a large number of fishing vessels.

The first house was built by John Nickerson not far distant from the site of Phineas Brannen's present home. The houses were built of logs with stone chimneys and fireplaces, and for lighting purposes cod oil lamps were used. Later, frame houses were built, stoves were introduced, and candles burned.

Almost every family owned cows, oxen, and sheep. The women spun yarn and wove it into coarse woollen cloth, from which they made clothes for themselves and their families.

Forbes Point was called West Wood's Harbor until about twenty-eight years ago when the Post Office was established there.

In religion, the first inhabitants belonged to a sect known as Free Will Baptist, which afterwards became Free Christians. Then followed Free Baptists and Baptists — the last two finally merging into United Baptists.

The first church was built where the present Central Wood's Harbor church now stands. Others followed in Upper Wood's Harbor and on land now owned by Capt. Elijah Nickerson, with later churches built in Central and Lower Wood's Harbor.
The first school house was a log building near Barrington Road. Later schools were built near the present site, followed by the Central Hall, which still stands today. The current school was later enlarged to its present size.

About sixty-five years ago an American packet ship, the "Anglo Saxon," was cast away on Duck Island. No lives were lost, though gold and cargo were on board and some was later recovered.

In 1866 there were thirteen vessels from Wood's Harbor fishing on Bank Quero. On September 22nd, a gale of hurricane force swept over the Banks. Before this, weather had been fairly fine and fish plentiful, and most vessels were loaded for the homeward trip. Some lost trawls and dories. One fine new vessel, the "J. P. Nickerson," built in Wood's Harbor, was lost with all on board.

The oldest inhabitants of Wood's Harbor at the present time are: Louise Nickerson, Isabel Abbot, Lydia Lyons, Alden Nickerson, Samuel Nickerson, and Gideon Nickerson.
— H. Theo P. Sears

06/14/2026

Here’s a great opportunity to learn a little early Colonial NS history from the comfort of your home !

05/31/2026

You can win some cash and support your local heritage community!

Winner will receive half of posted prize. Winner will be drawn at approximately 7:30pm on Tuesdays at the Halifax Forum Super Bingo. Winner will be posted here and on social media platforms.