The History of the Eastern Shore Archives
The Lake Charlotte Area Heritage Society was established in 1995 by a group of concerned community members who wanted to preserve the built heritage of the Lake Charlotte area communities. In 2000, the Heritage Society opened Memory Lane Heritage Village, a living history museum comprised of 18 rescued and restored buildings from the local area. The first building the Society rescued was the Hosking General Store.
When preparing to move the Hosking General Store, the Society discovered many boxes of store records relating to the business and dating back to the late 1800s.
At the time, the Society had no means to preserve documents, so in 2003 the Genealogy and Archives Research Centre (GARC) was founded. Located in the former Upper Lakeville Community Hall, the building has an authentically restored exterior and a modern, climate controlled, fire protected interior.
By 2008 the Research Centre realized archival preservation demands from surrounding communities required an update in acquisition policy. Thus, the Centre formally changed its name to the Eastern Shore Archives (ESA) and broadened its acquisition policy to encompass the coastal communities between Lawrencetown and Ecum Secum.
The Archives is the only formally recognized community institutional archive (as defined by the formal admission process of the Council of Nova Scotia Archives) east of Dartmouth within eastern Halifax Regional Municipality. It has achieved peer recognition for its establishment and is actively supported by local genealogists and historians.
In 2003, and again in 2009, the Archives was the recipient of the Council Nova Scotia Archives (CNSA) Carman V. Carroll Award for outstanding achievement in archival preservation. In May 2017, the Archives was awarded the Dr. Phyllis R. Blakeley Award for outstanding accomplishment in archival work.
The Archives has worked hard to create a secure and safe environment for the records of the Eastern Shore, having installed an Inergen Fire Suppression System in 2009; heat, fire and security detection systems; and a climate control system.
Upkeep of this important building relies heavily on the support of others, please considering donating.
Mandate & Acquisition Policy
The Eastern Shore Archives’ geographic mandate is primarily the coastal communities from Lawrencetown to Ecum Secum, within Halifax County. We also cover inland communities such as Mooseland and Malay Falls.
Support Our Work
The Eastern Shore Archives is owned and operated by the Lake Charlotte Area Heritage Society. The Society is a registered charity, a not-for-profit organization overseen by a volunteer Board of Directors and supported by a membership and volunteer base. There are many ways to help us with our work.
Visiting Us
The Archives is staffed primarily by volunteers. We encourage you to make an appointment before planning to visit to avoid disappointment. Many of our reference services can be provided at a distance. Please email or call us with an inquiry.
Leading the Charge – A Solar Powered Museum & Archives
Over the course of 2018 & 2019, the Lake Charlotte Area Heritage Society launched a campaign to raise $79,000 to install a solar power generation system and make other museum-wide electrical efficiency upgrades at Memory Lane Heritage Village and in the Eastern Shore Archives.
$50,000 had been received through provincial government programs, leaving the rest to fundraise through various methods including an online crowdfunding campaign, a “Pay for a Panel” sponsorship campaign, and various donations from individuals and businesses. The fundraising goal was reached in July, 2019.
The 72 panel solar array was installed in 2019, making Memory Lane Heritage Village and the Eastern Shore Archives the first 100% solar-powered museum in Nova Scotia (and possibly Canada). We would like to extend a huge thank you to our community and all of the donors and panel sponsors who have helped make this campaign a success.
The Lake Charlotte Area Heritage Society would also like to recognize the support of the Province of Nova Scotia in assisting with our goal. We are pleased to have worked in partnership with the Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage to develop and promote our cultural resources for all Nova Scotians and to help us make this project a reality.
