In 1783, Shelburne was the 3rd largest settlement in North America. Black Loyalists from the Eastern Seaboard of the United States who found themselves on the wrong side of the colonial war chose to relocate to Nova Scotia with the promise of housing, tools and land. Few of these promises were honoured. The Black Loyalists were not allowed to live in the Town of Shelburne, and instead were given land grants in nearby (10k away) Birchtown.
The project honours the history and contribution of the Black Settlers, both those who chose relocation to West Africa and those who opted to stay in Nova Scotia.
The museum is a 4 million dollar project, designed as a living archive, an open archeological dig and a community centre. The project incorporates the old church, the existing community centre and the new offices.