Africville Museum

My partner and I visited some months ago. Unfortunately for us, there was a big class of excited kids there (awesome to see them getting to take such a cool field trip), but it made us being able to see anything quite tough. The staff were extremely kind and told us we could go without paying. Life kept happening and I kept remembering and forgetting again, but I want to donate the cost of our tickets to the museum. The site seems broken, so if anyone from the museum checks these reviews, please let me know if there's an alternate route for me to donate!

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.

Everyone should visit to learn of how people were treated just 60 years ago. Their resilience is a model for everyone. Don’t let this post of our history go unknown.

Very interesting parts of the black community in the places that they lived and the things that they did

It is absolutely my favorite place when visiting Halifax.

It brings back such fond memories of growing up in Africville.

Africville museum was a gem in Halifax, run by knowledgeable guides and casting light on a difficult period of Canadian history, I learnt so much and it was very well put together. The city of Halifax needs to work on its transit though as without a car it’s hard to get to (though worth it) which seems to echo the way in which the Africville community was isolated and ignored in the past.

The young man who gave me the tour was so good! He knew so much - specific dates and names - and was so passionate. I’m sorry I forget his name, but I think he said he was attending Dal.
The museum is small but mighty. Definitely worth a visit. Hard to find, but once you get there, you’ll wish you’d brought a picnic. So lovely. I was there during the reunion. That’s why I went, but it felt a bit “private”. Not a tonne of information about that that I could see, but maybe it was meant to be private. Either way, I enjoyed my visit. Thank you!

Attendants were welcoming and informative. So glad we didn't miss the opportunity to visit.

J'y suis aller mais c'étais malheureusement après les heures d'ouverture, l'histoire que ce musée raconte est vraiment intéressant et permet de nous sensibilisé. Le terrain au alentour est très biens et ont a une belle vue sur l'eau

Africville was a great experience, also along with the museum. The staff were also very kind.

There is no wait to enter the museum, though you have to enter and talk at the front desk.

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.

Worth visiting. The replica is small but very educational. The staff are knowledgable and very generous with their time. So much is still in limbo with this legacy. Do visit and donate!

Really great way to learn about the Africville community. We spoke to two ladies there who where super knowledgeable and passionate, they where great. Super important part of NS history

This is a very small museum with some history about Africville and its residents. It is a bit awkward to get to if you don't know the city but the museum and property are worth a visit. It would be an especially nice place to visit in the summer for a picnic and museum tour. Some of the audio-visual displays inside were only partially functional, but I think this speaks to the need by the City of Halifax and its residents to provide greater support to museum and its mandate. The displays and acommpanying text descriptions are very well done and our guide was able to tell the story of the community in age appropriate language to a group of young children.

Important part of Canada's history with dedicated staff. Went there with a group of 10 visitors and I can't recommend it highly enough.

Unfortunately, the museum does not receive public funding. Seeing that there are no bus stops, no sidewalks, no bike lanes leading to this famous site of Canadian history, despite being right next to the urban centre, made me wonder if the state takes reconcillation with the community seriously.

I usually don't write long reports here on Google, but it was definitely worth sitting down writing this after a very pleasant visit. Go and visit!

This is a little museum which performs the history of the ever Africville community. There was a close-knit black people community with harmony. Similar with other African Canadian communities in the last century, the community were quite self-sufficient and isolated.
Former residents recalled that they used to see kids laughing in the neibour. There were many little vegetable gardens, and residents often did amateur fishermen to enrich their dinner tables. It wasn't rare to see the residents off works from Halifax. Community dwellers had a good time with their neighbours.
However, the bad city planning project destoried the peace and relocated the residents at the end of 1960s. There were some reports demonstrated drawbacks and poor conditions about the Africville as a residential land. Therefore, the HRM municipality decided to turn the land to industrial park to promote the local economy. Therefore, houses getting destruction, the Africville became a ruin. People from other communities were no longer to see the Africville with harmony. It's regretting for the former residents to recall the time which they grew up and enjoyed living in the Africville community, though there is a picnic party each year in July to memorize the age.
Overall, the municipal officials might make an incorrect deed. There used to be an active and live community which was filled with plain and harmony.

Wonderful experience. I learned a lot and everyone there was very friendly and happy to share their personal stories. I hope I will be back!

Glad to say that I have had the opportunity to visit this historic site Africville and learn about this historical black African community and their history.

Africville is an important part of Canadian History and Nova Scotia heritage. I am thankful for the family members and curators that put this together.
The front desk staff was very informative and generous with their time.

I got emotional when I found out that the dump was put right beside Africville when there were still residents living there. When you visit here, you will see that it is still an industrial dump right by the museum. The museum is hard to access and it is not serviced by transit. It's shameful.as if things have not changed. As if this piece of history is an afterthought to the city and would prefer it be forgotten rather than highlighted.
Sign the petition to have a bus route service that area!

BUT as the sign says - The Spirit Lives On. My wish is to visit here again and I hope to see the entire area converted to a vibrant Africville as it should be and deserves to be.

The people were super helpful and friendly. The history was shocking and shameful but showed the resiliency of those who were victims of a racist environment. Special thanks to Beatrice for her kindness.

Absolutely wonderful visit. Thank you so much for sharing your history and experiences with me.