Funding for Hector Heritage Quay Interpretive Centre

Visitors to one of Pictou’s premier cultural attractions will enjoy a more modern, comfortable and accessible experience thanks to a new investment from the Province.

The Ship Hector Society will receive $2.1 million to upgrade the Hector Heritage Quay Interpretive Centre, update the exhibits and improve the overall visitor experience.

“Nova Scotians are rightly proud of our diverse and distinct heritage, including the memorable story of the Hector and its original Gaelic passengers,” said Karla MacFarlane, Minister of Community Services and MLA for Pictou West, on behalf of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage Minister Pat Dunn. “With this investment, we are ensuring that visitors will be able to experience this powerful story for years to come.”

September 2023 will mark the 250th anniversary of the Hector’s arrival in Nova Scotia. The Province’s investment in the Hector Heritage Quay Interpretative Centre is one of a series of celebrations planned to mark this historic event.

Quotes:

“This contribution is crucial to ensuring the society can tell this incredible story to future generations. The funding will allow us to build upon our work, create more interactive displays, and better tell the story of the Ship Hector passengers and the Indigenous people of Piktuk. Tourism is a critical part of our economy in Nova Scotia, and this investment will strengthen our visitor experience for years to come.”

– Wes Surrett, Chair, Ship Hector Society

Quick Facts:

• the Ship Hector arrived in Pictou Harbour on September 15, 1773, carrying 189 passengers; it was one of the earliest arrivals of Scottish settlers to Canada

Additional Resources:

Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage grants and programs: https://cch.novascotia.ca/investing-in-our-future

Hector Heritage Quay: https://www.shiphector.ca/