So many reasons to visit Shelburne, Nova Scotia ...

We are nestled on the third finest natural harbour in the world and were once the fourth largest community in North America when, in 1783 about 3000 United Empire Loyalists arrived in ships from New York City and the population quickly grew to more than 10,000. As a result of this migration, nearby Birchtown became the first free black settlement in Canada.
The United Empire Loyalists, who maintained allegiance to the British Crown during the American Revolution, created an instant boom town in the wilderness. The population, which had grown so quickly, then decreased within twenty years to a few hundreds as the Loyalists moved to other destinations.

The waterfront Heritage District retains an aura of the 18th century. You will enjoy a visit to our Museum Complex; to the Ross-Thomson House, which has the oldest restored store in North America; the Shelburne County Museum, which has the oldest fire pumper in North America; the Dory Shop, where the art of dory-making is demonstrated each day during the summer; the Coyle House, where Tottie's Crafts sell their wares, and the Muir-Cox Shipyard, where the time-honoured craft of wooden boat building is on display daily and where the shipbuilding heritage of the community is portrayed.

Shelburne offers much to her visitors, including a tourist bureau, museums, parks, accommodations, nationally recognized restaurants and galleries and craft shops.

A walking tour of the restored Historic District is a must for you to enjoy the uniqueness of this special seaport town. The waterfront was the setting in 1994 for the movie "The Scarlet Letter" starring Demi Moore and Robert Duvall. Tour part of the remaining movie set and experience an authentic historic market square.
You can pick up a self-guided tour brochure at the Tourist Bureau, allow yourself time to relax -we do!

Come visit an Historical Gem on the Southshore of Nova Scotia