Ship Hector Society looking to make waves in Nova Scotia tourism
News release
Rejuvenation of Hector Heritage Quay Site to increase visitor traffic
December 18, 2018 – Pictou, NS – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Enabling Atlantic Canadian businesses to promote and build on their tourism offerings helps attract more visitors to the region, creates more jobs and strengthens the local economy. That is why the Government of Canada, the Province of Nova Scotia and the Town of Pictou are helping the Ship Hector Society develop an interpretive and operational plan to rejuvenate the Hector Heritage Quay site to enhance its significant tourism and cultural impacts for the area, leading to the 250th anniversary of the landing of the Hector in 2023.
Strengthening the Quay will drive more tourists to the region and provide a boost to local businesses and the regional economy. The Hector Heritage Quay site, managed by the Ship Hector Society, is one of the area's anchor tourist destinations. Pictou, site of the Hector landing in 1773, is heralded as the 'Birthplace of New Scotland'. The community is prominently featured in the province's economic and civic history and was a recognized centre for education in the 19th century.
Today, Sean Fraser, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Member of Parliament for Central Nova, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), announced support to the Ship Hector Society for this project.
This investment builds on commitments made by the Government of Canada and the four Atlantic Provinces to drive economic growth in the region through the Atlantic Growth Strategy, which supports strategic investments in line with Canada's Tourism Vision to make Canada a top-ten global tourism destination by 2025.
"The Government of Canada is marketing Atlantic Canada as a tourism destination of choice. Investing in commemorative projects is an important boost for local economies, attracting visitors and growing the tourism sector, which is vital to the region's prosperity."
- The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA
"The Hector Heritage Quay site is a significant part of Nova Scotia's history and offers insight into the story of how the province was first settled. This site has been featured on the global stage and drives significant traffic to the region. This initiative will strengthen the Hector Heritage Quay, share this province's rich history and ensure it lives on for future generations."
- Sean Fraser, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Member of Parliament for Central Nova
"Our investment in the Hector Heritage Quay site will highlight our province's heritage and allow Nova Scotians and visitors to discover more about a significant part of our history. Through the Culture Action Plan, we are building stronger communities and preserving and sharing the diversity of cultures that constitutes our provincial identity."
- The Honourable Leo Glavine, Nova Scotia Minister of Communities, Culture and Heritage
"The Ship Hector and Hector Heritage Quay are signature attractions to the Town of Pictou and the Northumberland Shore for visitors from around the world. We are extremely thankful for the ongoing efforts of the Ship Hector Society and the contributions from all levels of government in preserving and enhancing this valuable cultural experience. The Town looks forward to partnering in planning for the future of this important infrastructure."
- Jim Ryan, Mayor, Town of Pictou
"The Society is extremely pleased that the Government of Canada through ACOA, and Nova Scotia's Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage recognize and support the Society's plan for the ship and site, and its importance to northern Nova Scotia, the province and the country. The Ship Hector is to Canada as the Mayflower is to the United States. The combined investment in this plan will help recognize the early Scottish settlers' impact on North America's development, as well as the importance of the strong relationship these settlers cultivated with the First Nations people which began with their arrival in 1773."
- Laurie MacDonald, Chair, Ship Hector Society
Quick facts
The Government of Canada is investing $25,000 in the rejuvenation project through ACOA's Innovative Communities Fund (ICF).
The Government of Nova Scotia's Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage is contributing $10,000.
The Hector Heritage Quay site includes an interpretation centre, a full size replica of the ship Hector, as well a blacksmith and carpentry shops.
The Hector was the ship that brought the first Scottish settlers directly from Scotland to the region in 1773 and is known as Canada's 'Mayflower'.
Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall visited the Ship Hector replica in 2014.
The site has been owned and managed by the Ship Hector Society since 2010 and attracts approximately 12,500 visitors to the town each year.
The site is operated by volunteers who contribute thousands of hours each year to keep the site open and history alive.
