The mandate of the Chester Municipal Heritage Society encompasses the natural and cultural history of the communities that make up the Municipality of Chester, both tangible (such as artifacts, buildings, and archival records) and intangible (such as oral history and customs).
The mission of the Chester Municipal Heritage Society is:
To cultivate awareness of the unique heritage of the Municipality of Chester
for the enjoyment and benefit of present and future generations through the
preservation of historically significant properties and the delivery of educational
programming.
Chester Municipal Heritage Society
Chester Municipal Heritage Society (CMHS) is a registered non-profit society with both the CRA and Nova Scotia Joint Stocks. We have been in operation since 1981 when the Chester Train Station and buildings were transferred to CMHS, and it became the home of the society in the village of Chester. We do not have any employees or tenants. We supply research and genealogy resources at Lordly Museum for Chester Municipality and the Blandford area. We are also a source for individuals and others seeking information regarding the municipality and the village. The surrounding land adjacent to Smith Road, was leased to the society and we have added additional property to the original lease and are currently applying for ownership of the entire leased piece holding a 20-year, renewable lease on the property. The Chester Connection Trail is located on a portion of the leased land.
We have purchased and restored a circa 1806 Georgian house at 133 Central Street and an adjoining building which houses research facilities and the first municipal office for the Municipality of the District of Chester. Our next purchases were lands surrounding the house which contain a gazebo used weekly during the summer for local concerts and events, a park open to all, a wet land donated by the municipality and a children’s playground funded by donations. Today we own and maintain a complete block within the village of Chester, free to all.
We endeavour to be good community partners and have joined with the Chester Art Centre, the Chester Playhouse and the Mental Health Association to develop original programs combining youth and seniors at Shoreham Village Nursing Home. In municipality we continue to record and archive stories and memories. We sponsor a Canada Day Event for the entire municipality with volunteers from all areas. In conjunction with the Municipality, we have identified houses within the municipality that are 150 years old or older and provided burgundy and white house numbers to identify them.
We are always seeking money and new ways to pay for maintaining our properties and the cost of heating, insurance, and upkeep of both 133 Central Street and 20 Smith Road. Our biggest difficulty is to find volunteers with time and the willingness to donate time for programs and displays we wish to create. Our village is predominantly composed of older retired couples with few younger residents most of whom work outside of the village in Halifax and Bridgewater or the surrounding areas. The older residents feel they have already donated their time and energy and the younger families don’t have the time nor inclination to volunteer.
Regular activities conducted each year:
1. Operation of the Station 20 co-op store (40 +vendors) at the train station.
2. Displays available Hawboldt, Oak Island, Gold Mining, blacksmithing at the Train Station.
3. Provides space for a weekly farmers market.
4. Provides space for raised gardens for the food bank.
5. Operated Lordly House Museum and Research Centre at 133 Central Street in the village.
6. Provides park space for the Picnic in the Park weekly during the summer months at lordly park.
7. Proved a free daily use park and playground for the community at 133 Central Street.
8. Conduct research, collection and accessioning of items through ANSM.
9. Hire local students, when possible, for summer positions.
10. Prepare changing displays for Lordly House Museum 133 Central Street.
11. Raise funds and apply for grants to cover the cost of operations at both
locations station and museum.
12. Hold an annual Canada Day celebration for the municipality.
13. Conduct a flea market yearly and when articles are available an auction.
14. Provide tourism information about our municipality and the village.
15. Accession materials and upload to provincial database on NovaMuse.