Africville Museum

It's Canada's best kept secret that illustrates the horrors of racism, marginalization and hypocrisy in the name of urban redevelopment, community improvement and progress. I was so shocked by what I came to learn about the residents of Africville that it's taken me a few days to process before writing this review. Imagine citizens who paid taxes but never received basic services afforded to them by their government. The same government allowed their area to fall into a state of disrepair and decided instead of fixing the wrong, first tear down their church in the middle of the night, then their homes. To add insult to injury, they move the now displaced people into government housing. The reasoning? It was declared unsafe and it would be better for all the residents of Africville (who were Black btw) to live elsewhere so that they could "improve" the area through urban redevelopment. Can you believe this happened only a generation ago in the 1960's? This museum came about after decades of demanding an apology and for the government to right the wrong done to the people in Africville. They got an apology all right but only 2.5 acres of the 500 acres back to rebuild the church that was torn down and no extra funding to maintain or expand upon it. It's even very difficult to get to when it shouldn't. If ever you visit Halifax this is a museum you should see to remind us that we need to see each other as human beings and choose to do what is right in the eyes of God instead of what is expedient or convenient, glossing over the wrong with pretty words and vain intentions.

would highly recommend exploring this historic sight. it's a self-guided tour that takes you all through the lives of the people & community of Africville, with photos, text, and even videos to learn as you walk through. glad i was able to learn all about what the vibrant life here & the deplorable displacement of an entire people

Awesome place to visit Ave snap some photos. There is so much to learn about the church and everything else it is one, of my favorite places to just go and sit and reflect and enjoy this place. That new place they are putting on the basin is wrecking the beauty of the basin. Thanks.

A place to ensure history isn't forgotten. Shows the stories of the people that lived here and a society that wanted them gone. Wonderful displays, audio and video info spots inside the recreated church and helpful staff to answer questions.

My visit to the Africville Museum was both deeply moving and incredibly informative. While the story of Africville is one of injustice, the museum presents it with respect and highlights the resilience of the community. The displays are well-organized, and the personal stories bring the history to life. A must-visit for anyone looking to understand a vital part of Halifax and Canadian history. Highly recommend!

Amazing experience, glad we got to stop in and speak to someone who lived in Africville. Humbling to learn about the experience of African Canadians.

This was my last museum stop on my trip to Halifax. The museum was easy to find with lots of parking. The museum is located on the site of the Africville Park. The museum staff are friendly and welcoming and knowledgeable, at least one of who had personal connections to the former Africville community. As of May 25 when I visited, masking is still required, not just recommended. The museum specifically tells the story of the people who lived in Africville. The museum is laid out in a logical manner with large signs to read full of pictures and information detailing the life and spirit of the people who once lived in this area of Halifax. I do wish that the museum included more information about the history of African-Canadians in Nova Scotia in general. Several of the machines dispersed throughout the museum that play video clips are non-functioning. I'm happy I visited because it introduced me to a community that I didn't know about before.

A nice, small museum that serves as a sad reminder of our all-too-recent hateful history. The demolishing of Africville is still very much within living memory, and it's very visible beyond the church interior what Halifax had done to its taxpayers here; by intentionally surrounding it with heavy industry and polluting facilities. The staff was very helpful and admission was a good price. You can read the primary documents of the city's apology and listen to the spirits celebrating the removed neighborhood. Definitely recommend the visit, and feel free to ask lots of questions!