Argyle Township Court House & Gaol facts for kids

Argyle Township Court House & Gaol
General information
Status	Used as a museum
Type	Government
Architectural style	Greek Revival
Address	8168 Hwy #3
Town or city	Tusket
Country	Canada
Coordinates	43°51′18″N 65°58′28″W / 43.8549°N 65.9745°W / 43.8549; -65.9745
Construction started	1801
Completed	1805
Owner	Municipality of the District of Argyle & AMHGS (current)

The Argyle Township Court House & Gaol is a special historic building in Tusket, Nova Scotia. It is recognized as important by both the province and the country. This building was constructed before Canada became a country. It played a big part in how the local government, laws, and decisions were made in the Municipality of the District of Argyle during the 1800s and early 1900s.

Sometimes called the Tusket Court House, this building is believed to be the "oldest surviving combined court house and jail in Canada." It is no longer used as a court house today. Instead, this important local landmark now works as a museum. It is a popular place for tourists to visit.

History of the Court House

When Was the Court House Built?

Building the court house started in 1801. It took almost five years to finish. The construction was completed in 1805.

First Court Meeting

The very first court meeting was held in the new building on October 29, 1805. This was a big event for the community.

Museum and Archives

Visiting the Museum Today

Today, the Argyle Township Court House & Gaol is a museum. Visitors can explore the old courtrooms and learn about its history. It helps people understand what life was like long ago.

The Archives Collection

In 1983, the Argyle Township Court House Archives were created. These archives collect and keep important historical documents. They were the first municipal archives in Nova Scotia. This means they were the first local government archives in the province.