Funding for Viola’s Way Cultural, Heritage Space in New Glasgow
Viola's Way in New Glasgow will become a cultural and heritage spaces that honours the legacy of civil rights pioneer Viola Desmond and the contributions of African Nova Scotian communities. (Province of Nova Scotia / File)
The Province is supporting the development of Viola’s Way, a cultural and heritage space in the town of New Glasgow that honours the legacy of civil rights pioneer Viola Desmond and celebrates the contributions of African Nova Scotian communities.
“Viola Desmond’s courage in 1946 changed not only this community but Canada itself,” said Twila Grosse, Minister of African Nova Scotian Affairs. “Through this investment, our government is reaffirming its commitment to keeping African Nova Scotian history visible and central to Nova Scotia’s story.”
The project will transform the pedestrian space next to the former Roseland Theatre, where Ms. Desmond was arrested in 1946 for refusing to leave a “whites-only” section. Her stand helped end segregation in the province.
The design of Viola’s Way features cultural elements inspired by African Nova Scotian heritage, new gathering and performance areas, and interpretive features that highlight community history.
The Province is contributing $1 million to the project, with the federal government providing about $706,000 and the Town of New Glasgow almost $343,000.
Viola Desmond, pictured c. 1940, was granted a free pardon in 2010. Her sister Wanda Robson holds a $10 bill with Ms. Desmond's portrait in 2018. Click or tap for larger image
Quotes:
“Viola’s Way will be so much more than bricks and pathways – it will be a space to reflect, to celebrate, to honour legacy and to promote learning and healing. It represents a bold and beautiful step forward for our community, and I’m so proud to see this vision coming to life.”
— Nancy Dicks, Mayor, Town of New Glasgow
Quick Facts:
- Viola Desmond (1914–1965), an African Nova Scotian businesswoman and civil rights pioneer, is recognized as a person of national historic significance
- she received Canada’s first-ever posthumous free pardon in 2010 and in 2018, became the first Canadian woman to appear alone on a regularly circulating banknote (the $10 bill)
- the design of Viola’s Way incorporates African symbols such as Sankofa (“learning from the past to build the future”) and Aya (“endurance and resilience”)
Additional Resources:
Viola Desmond (1914-1965) National Historic Person web page: https://parks.canada.ca/culture/designation/personnage-person/viola-desmond
News release – Late Viola Desmond Granted Apology, Free Pardon: https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2010/04/15/late-viola-desmond-granted-apology-free-pardon
Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage grants and programs: https://cch.novascotia.ca/investing-in-our-future
Office of African Nova Scotian Affairs: https://ansa.novascotia.ca
Online grant finder tool: https://beta.novascotia.ca/find-grants-offered-through-department-communities-culture-tourism-and-heritage