About the Society
The Royal Nova Scotia Historical Society was founded in 1878. The society meets monthly for the public lecture series from September to May to hear and to discuss individual papers about personalities, places and events integral to the history of Nova Scotia. Monthly meetings are held at 7:00 p.m. in the Lindsay Children’s Room on the 2nd floor at the Halifax Central Library, 5440 Spring Garden Road, Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Since the fall of 2020, public lectures have taken place online via Zoom with links to join provided in the upcoming lectures section of the website and promoted via our listserv and social media channels. Society lectures are open to the public, with no membership required, and are completely free.
In the past meetings have been held at the Nova Scotia Archives, 6016 University Avenue (at the corner of Robie Street), Halifax, Nova Scotia. A brief business meeting was followed by the presentation of a lecture.
We are unable to do historical or genealogical research for you or to care for material you may wish to donate to an archival repository. The Nova Scotia Archives may be helpful and you can contact them at archives@novascotia.ca.
Community Grants
The Royal Nova Scotia Historical Society gives out annual grants to help stimulate heritage initiatives and historical research and dissemination at the community, organization, and/or individual level. This year the Society will be awarding one grant worth $500. Nova Scotia community heritage or historical organizations and socie.es, undergraduate, graduate, and/or individual scholars conducting research on Nova Scotia’s history are eligible to apply. Scholars or students already well supported by funding agencies/scholarships/fellowships are not eligible.
To learn more or apply, please see the Community Grants tab, located under “Social Initiatives.”
African Nova Scotians in the Age of Slavery and Abolition Selling baskets on market day, Halifax. The basket sellers are mainly Mi'kmaq, but the group also includes African Nova Scotians. ca., 1890. Photo by George H. Craig. Photo courtesy of the NS Archives
