The Spirit of Africville

After many years of denial, Halifax’s city government acknowledged in 2010 the wrongs that were done to the residents and the community of Africville, and agreed to make amends for its actions.

The resistance and the protests of former Africville residents have ensured that their experiences were not forgotten or ignored. For more than 150 years, Africville endured as a community of African Nova Scotian families. In the 1960s, Halifax’s city government decided to acquire the land and demolish the houses. Africville was demolished, but the spirit of the community lives on..

This book tells the story of Africville in words and pictures. This edition includes many never-before-seen colour and black and white photographs of the residents and their community. The text includes the account of the origins of Nova Scotia’s Black residents, a history of Africville itself and account of the events leading up to its demolition. Many key participants in the events of the 1960s offer their reflection on the destruction of the community, highlighting the lessons learned from a decision widely considered to be wrong - even by those who supported and implemented it at the time. A new chapter tells of the long but ultimately successful effort to have these wrongs acknowledged and a measure of restitution made.

Please email admin@africvillemuseum.org to arrange a pick-up time. For shipping, please indicate “ship” at the check-out page. Please allow 4-6 weeks for shipping.