List of historic places in Kings County, Nova Scotia facts for kids
Kings County in Nova Scotia, Canada, is a place filled with amazing history! It has many special buildings and sites that are protected because they tell important stories about the past. These "historic places" help us learn about the people who lived here long ago, how they built their homes, and what their lives were like. Exploring these sites is like taking a trip back in time!
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Famous Historic Places in Kings County
Kings County has several places that are so important they are called National Historic Sites of Canada. This means they are recognized across the whole country for their special history.
Grand-Pré National Historic Site
The Grand-Pré National Historic Site is one of the most famous places in Kings County. It remembers the history of the Acadians, who were early French settlers in Nova Scotia. In the 1750s, many Acadians were forced to leave their homes in what is known as the "Great Upheaval." This site helps us understand their story, their culture, and their strong connection to the land. You can visit the beautiful Memorial Church and see statues that honor their memory.
Grand-Pré Rural Historic District
Right next to the main Grand-Pré site is the Grand-Pré Rural Historic District National Historic Site of Canada. This area includes the wider landscape around Grand-Pré, showing how the Acadians built their farms and managed the land, especially with their clever dyke systems to reclaim land from the sea. It helps us see how they lived and worked in this beautiful valley.
Acacia Grove / Prescott House
The Acacia Grove / Prescott House National Historic Site of Canada is a lovely old house located in Starr's Point. It was built around 1816 by Charles Ramage Prescott, who was a very important person in Nova Scotia's history. He was a successful merchant and a pioneer in growing apples, which became a big industry in the Annapolis Valley. The house and its gardens show us what life was like for wealthy families in the 1800s.
Covenanters' Church
Also in Grand Pre is the Covenanters' Church National Historic Site of Canada. This small, simple church was built in 1811 by Scottish settlers who came to the area after the Acadians. It's one of the oldest Presbyterian churches in Nova Scotia and shows the strong religious beliefs of these early communities.
Sir Frederick Borden Residence
The Sir Frederick Borden Residence National Historic Site of Canada is in Canning. Sir Frederick Borden was a very important Canadian politician in the late 1800s and early 1900s. He served as the Minister of Militia and Defence. His home is a great example of the grand houses built during that time and reminds us of his contributions to Canada.
Ladies' Seminary
The Ladies' Seminary National Historic Site of Canada is part of Acadia University in Wolfville. This building was once a school specifically for young women, which was a big deal in the 1800s when education for girls was not always common. It played an important role in the history of women's education in Canada.
Other Interesting Historic Places
Beyond the National Historic Sites, Kings County has many other buildings and places that are important to its local history.
Homes with History
Many old homes in Kings County are protected because of their unique architecture or the people who lived in them. These include:
- Annandale (198 Main Street, Wolfville)
- The Barracks (1464 Starr's Point Road, Starr's Point)
- Blue Cottage (1172 Huntington Point Road, Halls Harbour) - a charming coastal home.
- Borden House (1999 Grand Pre Road, Grand Pre)
- Jeremiah Calkin House (210 Old Post Road, Grand Pre)
- Chase House (600 Main Street, Wolfville) - a distinctive house in Wolfville.
- DeWolf House (155 Main Street, Wolfville)
- Emmerson Hall (Acadia University, Wolfville) - a building on the university campus.
- Herbin's Jewellers (453 Main Street, Wolfville) - a historic commercial building.
- Kent Lodge (654 Main Street, Wolfville)
- Charles MacDonald House (19 Saxon Street, Centreville) - known for its unique concrete construction.
- Randall House (259 Main Street, Wolfville) - a well-known historic house.
- Stewart House (264 Old Post Road, Grand Pre)
- Thompson House (620 Main Street, Wolfville)
Historic Churches and Cemeteries
Churches and cemeteries often hold a lot of history, showing us how communities worshipped and remembered their loved ones.
- Cornwallis Reformed Presbyterian Covenanter Church (4953 No. 221 Highway, Grafton)
- St. John's Anglican Church and Cemetery (1109 Church Street, Port Williams)
- St. John's Anglican Church (164 Main Street, Wolfville)
- St. Mary's Anglican Church (20 Morden Road, Auburn)
- Fox Hill Cemetery (Church Street, Port Williams)
- The Burying Ground (Main Street, Wolfville) - also known as the Old Burying Ground.
Other Notable Sites
- Kentville Research Station, Research Station (Kentville) - an important agricultural research center with historic buildings.
- Wolfville Canadian Pacific Heritage Railway Station (21 Elm Avenue, Wolfville) - a former train station that reminds us of the importance of railways in connecting communities.
- Hangar 9 and Hangar 10 at CFB Greenwood (Greenwood) - these hangars are recognized for their role in military aviation history.
These are just some of the many historic places that make Kings County a special place to visit and learn about the past!