Paradise Historical Society

Nautical Rope Bowl Workshop
2024-09-14 10:00 - 14:00 (America/Halifax) | Paradise Heritage Centre, 10307 Highway #1, Paradise, Nova Scotia, Canada
The Paradise Historical Society is hosting a Nautical Rope Bowl workshop.
Nautical rope knots have been used for centuries by mariners to secure sails and rigging on ships and boats. Variations or repetitions of certain knots can create a variety of functional and decorative items, such as mats that protect decks from the rigging, to surround railings or to stand on for cushioning.
Presenter, Karen Morley, resides in Cottage Cove where she makes items from “reclaimed” lobster rope and sells them at the Clarence Market on Sundays.
Karen invites you to join her to learn this art of decorative nautical knot making.
Participants will learn how to first create a nautical thump mat which will then be turned into a bowl. This useful bowl, approximately 10 inches in diameter, can hold fruits, bread or any items you wish.
A choice of 2 colours as below of reclaimed rope from a lobster fishing boat will be provided.
Written instructions will be provided.
Date & Time: Saturday, September 14, 2024, from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm (or until your bowl is finished)
Location: Paradise Heritage Centre at 10307 Highway #1 in Paradise.
Cost: $50.00 which includes all the materials
Instructor: Karen Morley
Please bring a lunch.
UPDATE AUGUST 27TH: All spots are booked, but please contact us if you’d like to be added to the waiting list.
To request a spot on the waiting list, please send an email to Barbara or send her a direct/private message on the Paradise Historical Society Facebook page.
Please click HERE to send Barbara an email.

Heritage Centre Autumn Open Mornings
2024-09-18 09:00 - 12:00, 2024-09-25 09:00 - 12:00, 2024-10-02 09:00 - 12:00, 2024-10-09 09:00 - 12:00, 2024-10-16 09:00 - 12:00, 2024-10-23 09:00 - 12:00, 2024-10-30 09:00 - 12:00
Paradise Heritage Centre Open Mornings
You are invited to visit our Heritage Centre this autumn.
We will be open Wednesday mornings starting May 8, 2024 through November 13, 2024 from 9 am – 12 noon. Coffee, muffins, and free WiFi will be available.
We have a reference library of local books and reference material you can leaf through or use to take notes for your own research.
The famous “Paradise Gazette” a 1935-36 student-crafted yearbook with fascinating pictures, bios of the students of the day, and insights into the curriculum of the time is also available. Thank you to Dave Whitman for this donation. It is amazing what students in a two-room school actually learned.
Or just drop in with a friend or two for a quiet place to have some morning conversation over a cuppa in our comfy chairs. On nice days, you can also enjoy the gardens with tables and benches outside.
Please look for our OPEN flag and stop in and say hello!

An Afternoon of Tea and Art
2024-10-19 14:00 - 16:00
AN AFTERNOON OF TEA AND ART
Join us at the Paradise Heritage Centre for an afternoon tea and an exhibit of lithographs and prints by popular Victorian and Edwardian artists.
Conversation and discussion with Janice Leonard: the popularity of lithographs and prints during the Victorian and Edwardian eras.
A silent auction of antique prints in their original frames will also be held.
Date: October 19th, 2024 from 2:00 – 4:00 pm
The cost is $10.00.
There is no need to prepay for this event, but please register by completing the form below so we know how many will be coming for tea with us.
UPDATE: As of September 13th, this event is full and registration has closed.

Heritage Centre Autumn Open Mornings
2024-11-06 09:00 - 12:00
Paradise Heritage Centre Open Mornings
You are invited to visit our Heritage Centre this autumn.
This will be our last Open Morning for the season. We will be open from 9 am – 12 noon. Coffee, muffins, and free WiFi will be available.
We have a reference library of local books and reference material you can leaf through or use to take notes for your own research.
The famous “Paradise Gazette” a 1935-36 student-crafted yearbook with fascinating pictures, bios of the students of the day, and insights into the curriculum of the time is also available. Thank you to Dave Whitman for this donation. It is amazing what students in a two-room school actually learned.
Or just drop in with a friend or two for a quiet place to have some morning conversation over a cuppa in our comfy chairs. On nice days, you can also enjoy the gardens with tables and benches outside.
Please look for our OPEN flag and stop in and say hello!

Christmas Craft Fair
2024-11-24 10:00 - 15:00
Come join us for our 3rd Christmas Craft Fair!
November 24, 2024, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.
We will have handmade crafts, Christmas gifts, best homebaking ever, books by local authors, wreaths, porch signs, and more!
You can also win a Gingerbread House!
The craft fair will be held at two sites:
Paradise Heritage Centre at 10307 Highway #1
AND
Paradise Community Hall at 10300 Highway #1
(these two sites are just across the street from each other)

Rug Hooking Workshop 2025
2025-03-01 10:00 - 15:00
BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND!
The Paradise Historical Society will be hosting a third Rug Hooking Workshop.
A comprehensive, hands-on, beginner rug hooking course will be held at the Paradise Heritage Centre at 10307 Highway #1 in Paradise.
From drawing your pattern to finishing the edges, you will learn everything needed to complete your first rug hooking project.
Fee: $60.00 – Includes materials and instructions. Learn either yarn or wool hooking.
Our talented instructors will welcome you warmly and ensure you get lots of individual assistance. Many thanks to Monica Bailey, Linda Hankinson, and Stephanie Duggan-Haggan.
We will have frames, hooks, and scissors for you to use while you are here.
Spaces are limited.
UPDATE JANUARY 26,2025 – WORKSHOP IS NOW FULL.

Basket Making Workshop
2025-03-16 10:00 - 16:00
The Paradise Historical Society is hosting a basket-making workshop.
She is back! By popular request, Linda, our basket maker, will once again share her gift with us.
Learn how to weave your own basket and take it home with you!
This basket is not just decorative, you will use it many times.
Date & Time: Sunday, March 16, 2025, from 10:00 am until your basket is finished
Location: Paradise Heritage Centre at 10307 Highway #1 in Paradise.
Cost: $60.00 which includes all the materials
Instructor: Linda Hankinson
Please bring a lunch.
Spaces are limited.
To reserve your space, please click here to send an email to Barbara.

Happy basket makers at our last workshop

Basket Making Workshop
2025-04-06 10:00 - 16:00
The Paradise Historical Society is hosting a basket-making workshop.
She is back! By popular request, Linda, our basket maker, will once again share her gift with us.
Learn how to weave your own basket and take it home with you!
This basket is not just decorative, you will use it many times.
Date & Time: Sunday, April 6, 2025, from 10:00 am until your basket is finished
Location: Paradise Heritage Centre at 10307 Highway #1 in Paradise.
Cost: $60.00 which includes all the materials
Instructor: Linda Hankinson
Please bring a lunch.
Spaces are limited.
To reserve your space, please click here to send an email to Barbara.

Happy basket makers at our last workshop

Paradise Historical Society AGM
2025-05-06 19:00
Join Us for the Paradise Historical Society AGM
You’re invited to the Annual General Meeting of the Paradise Historical Society — an evening to celebrate our shared passion for local history and look ahead to the future!
Date & Time: Tuesday, May 6, 2025 at 7:00 pmLocation: Paradise Heritage Centre at 10307 Highway #1 in Paradise
There will be refreshments, displays, and reports on all of our progress over the past year. You’ll also hear about our exciting plans for the future of the Heritage Centre and its role in our community.
This year, we’re especially pleased to share that—following a recent update to our membership guidelines—the Paradise Historical Society is now open to anyone with an interest in the history of Paradise, no matter where you live. Whether you’re a long-time supporter or just discovering us, we’d love to welcome new members who share our passion and mission.
Come connect with fellow history enthusiasts, get involved in upcoming projects, and be a part of preserving and celebrating Paradise’s past.
Everyone is welcome— come along and bring a friend!

Heritage Centre Summer Open Mornings
2025-05-07 09:00 - 12:00, 2025-05-14 09:00 - 12:00, 2025-05-21 09:00 - 12:00, 2025-05-28 09:00 - 12:00, 2025-06-04 09:00 - 12:00, 2025-06-11 09:00 - 12:00, 2025-06-18 09:00 - 12:00, 2025-06-25 09:00 - 12:00 and 1 more date
Paradise Heritage Centre Open Mornings
You are invited to visit our Heritage Centre this summer and autumn.
We will be open Wednesday mornings starting May 7, 2025 through November 12, 2025 from 9 am – 12 noon. Coffee, muffins, and free WiFi will be available.
We have a reference library of local books and reference material you can leaf through or use to take notes for your own research.
The famous “Paradise Gazette” a 1935-36 student-crafted yearbook with fascinating pictures, bios of the students of the day, and insights into the curriculum of the time is also available. Thank you to Dave Whitman for this donation. It is amazing what students in a two-room school actually learned.
Or just drop in with a friend or two for a quiet place to have some morning conversation over a cuppa in our comfy chairs. On nice days, you can also enjoy the gardens with tables and benches outside.
Please look for our OPEN flag and stop in and say hello!

"It Changed Everything"- History Conference
2025-05-23 - 2025-05-24
“It Changed Everything”
Portals of History in Annapolis County Spring Conference
Keynote Speaker Larry Powell – “Moments That Shaped the Future“.
Guest speakers:
Bill Linley – “The Evolution of Railways in Annapolis County“
Alex Morrison – “Democracy Comes to Nova Scotia“
Barbara Bishop – “Among Friends: Family Doctors as Indicators and Agents of Change“
DATE: Friday, May 23rd in the evening and Saturday, May 24th all day.
COST: $60
Cost includes lunch, snacks, coffee and tea.
For more information or to register to attend the conference please contact Barbara at barbarabishop84@gmail.com.
Schedule
FRIDAY, MAY 23RD
7:00 – 7:30 PM: Registration and Meet & Greet
7:30 PM: Larry Powell, Keynote Speaker – “Moments that Shaped the Future“
SATURDAY, MAY 24TH
9:00 AM: Good Morning Coffee/Tea
9:30 – 10:45 AM: Bill Linley – “The Evolution of Railways in Annapolis County“
10:45 – 11:15 AM: Break
11:15 – 12:30 PM: Barbara Bishop – “Among Friends: Family Doctors as Indicators and Agents of Change“
12:30 – 1:30 PM: Lunch
1:30 – 2:45 PM: Alex Morrison – “Democracy Comes to Nova Scotia“
2:45 – 3:30 PM: Plenary Session led by Larry Powell – Where From and Where To? Forum by all
3:30 PM: Closing and Thank You
Our Presenters

KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Larry Powell with "Moments That Shaped the Future"

A journalist and communicator for over forty years in Nova Scotia, Larry has been consistently recognized for professional excellence by the Atlantic Better Newspapers Competition for awards such as “Best editorials” and “Best newspaper”. He knows how to listen to the people he interviews, to gather context and express it for the rest of us, to take just the right pictures and ask just the right questions.

For the past twenty years Annapolis County has been gifted with his contributions. As well as his professional work, he has been and is deeply involved as a volunteer on Boards, Committees, and organizations of our community.

At last year’s conference we learned about Mapannapolis, the Governor General’s Award Winning project of our county. Larry works with this organization, researching local history, heritage and culture and interpreting it for us through social media, press releases, photos and videos.

In both professional and volunteer life, he incorporates his skills in public relations, social media, digital reporting to give himself and us layers of understanding of who are are, who we were, and who we may become.

He lives with his wife Susan in Lawrencetown.

GUEST SPEAKER: Bill Linley with "The Evolution of Railways in Annapolis County"

Bill joined the CPR family as a telegram routing clerk in the summer of 1965. He was already taken with trains, photographing Quebec Central Steam trains as early as 1959. He worked as a reservations clerk and ticket agent at the Ottawa Station through 1969. After graduating from Carleton University’s geography program, he worked in business development with the federal, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia governments until 2002. In 2012 he received the Canadian Railway Historical Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012.

Long retired, Bill volunteers at the Middleton Railway Museum and other charitable organizations, often serving as treasurer. He’s the Maritime Regional Superintendent of the Canadian Pacific Historical Association and chairman of the Nova Scotia Railway Heritage Society. He has authored four best-selling books on Canadian Railways. He enjoys researching and writing at the 1840s home on the Fundy Shore in Paradise that he shares with his spouse, Marilynn.

We will be gifted at the conference not only with stunning photographs and visuals, but with the deep knowledge and understanding of the importance of railways in Annapolis County- as they evolved, so did we.

GUEST SPEAKER: Warden Alex Morrison with "Democracy Comes to Nova Scotia Municipalities"

Alex served over 40 years as a career Canadian Army officer, including with Canada’s North American Treaty Organization forces in Germany during the Cold War, Headquarters of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus, and for six years as a member of the diplomatic staff of the Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York. He has taught at Canadian and American universities and at Japanese security institutions. He is the Founding President of the Pearson Peacekeeping Centre.

In 2002 Alex was the 23rd recipient of the Pearson Peace medal, sharing this honour with such Canadian humanitarians and peacekeepers as Steven Lewis, Lois Wilson, Murray Thomson, Flora MacDonald, Ursula Franklin, Roméo D'Allaire, Ernie Regehr, Donald Ethell, Nigel Fisher, Louise Arbour, Lloyd Axworthy, Wilton Littlechild and Beverley McLachlin.

He has served his own community on Annapolis County Council, elected in 2012, 2016, and 2020, and as Warden in his last term. He did not re-offer in 2024.

His longstanding interest in the role of democracy and the culture of peace includes a special concern for the ways in which children, young people, and youth organizations might be involved in creating such a culture.

GUEST SPEAKER: Barbara Bishop with "Among Friends: Family Doctors as Indicators and Agents of Change"

Barbara loves to learn stuff, be in community, and tell stories about the places, people and times that teach her. Her formal education- at Paradise School, Bridgetown Regional High School, undergraduate and postgraduate at Acadia University, Dalhousie University- prepared her for fifteen rewarding years of teaching high school in Halifax, Montreal and its suburbs, and Brampton Ontario. McMaster Divinity College prepared her for her second career of over thirty years in church ministry. She served for twelve years as Senior Pastor in a wonderfully diverse community in east end Toronto, and three years in a Hamilton church, near McMaster University and shaped by that proximity.

Then life changed. When her spouse retired and family matters called, she and Robert moved to Paradise twenty years ago. They have been active volunteers in their community since. She has also un-retired several times and served a number of churches in the Annapolis Valley.

She has been a writer, researcher, speaker, community organizer, even a novelist once-always asking the questions of herself and her community: Who are we? Where did we come from? Where are we going?

Her presentation maintains that family doctors in our communities for the past few centuries have been “Among Friends” but unique among us. As such, they have been both indicators of change and agents of change.

Plants & Pies
2025-06-07 09:00 - 13:00
The Paradise Historical Society is hosting a Plants & Pies sale.
Come check out the selection of house plants, garden plants, and delicious pies.
Your purchase will help support the Paradise Historical Society and our Heritage Centre.
Date & Time: Saturday, June 7, 2025 from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm.
Location: Paradise Heritage Centre at 10307 Highway #1 in Paradise.
If you can donate a plant or pie to our sale, please contact Barbara at 825-9198.
Thank you!

Genealogy Circle
2025-06-10 18:30 - 20:30
Are you curious about your family history? Want to learn how to start researching your roots or dig deeper into your ancestral story?
Join us as we launch our brand-new Genealogy Circle this summer!
We’re excited to kick things off with a special guest: local genealogist Denise Rice, who will be sharing her expertise in our first session.
Denise will guide us through some essentials that every genealogist—beginner or experienced—should know.
Date & Time: Tuesday, June 10, 2025 at 6:30 pm.
Location: Paradise Heritage Centre at 10307 Highway #1 in Paradise
The Genealogy Group will meet regularly to learn, share discoveries, explore local resources, and support one another in uncovering our pasts.
All are welcome and no experience needed.
Come be part of a growing community of family history enthusiasts!
RSVP
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.Contact Name *Email *EmailConfirm EmailNumber of People Attending *Would You Like to Sign Up For the Paradise Historical Society Email List? *Yes, please sign me up!No, please use my email address for notifications about this event only.Please check the 'YES' box if you'd like to sign up to our general email list to receive notifications about news, updates, and notifications for future events.Questions? Please feel free to let us know if you have any questions about the event and we'll respond to the email address you provided ASAP. Submit

Artist's Workshop
2025-07-04 10:00 - 2025-07-06 15:00
Remembering the Past with Paint and Pencil
We are pleased to offer a three-day workshop in Paradise with artist Janice Leonard.
The workshop will be plein d’aire painting of historic sites with studio work inside our wonderful Heritage Centre.
The workshop ends with an art exhibition and public Strawberry Tea, also at the Heritage Centre.
When: July 4-6, 2025
Schedule is:
Friday, July 4th from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Saturday, July 5th from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Sunday, July 6th from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Strawberry Tea will start at 2:00 pm
There will be a break each day for lunch. Please bring your own lunch.
Location: Paradise Heritage Centre at 10307 Highway #1 in Paradise.
Cost: $60.00 (includes Strawberry Tea)
Please bring the following materials and tools with you to the workshop:
Sketchbook
Pencils ,eraser
Easel
Brushes
Primary paint colours plus white and burnt umber
Container for water

This workshop is now full.

Strawberry Tea
2025-07-06 14:00 - 16:00
Art Exhibition and Strawberry Tea
Please join us for a public art exhibition, strawberry shortcake and tea after our Artist’s Workshop.
When: Sunday, July 6th at 2:00 pm
Location: Paradise Heritage Centre at 10307 Highway #1 in Paradise.
Cost: $15.00
Register and Purchase Your Ticket
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.Please indicate the number of tickets you wish to purchase. Ticket price is $15.00Preferred Method of Payment *Interac e-TransferChequeCashWhen you “Submit” the form, you will be directed to instructions to make an Interac e-Transfer, or to pay in person or by cheque to complete your purchase. Name *FirstLastEmail *EmailConfirm EmailPhone Number *Please list all the people your are purchasing tickets for so we can ensure everyone is registered. *Questions or CommentsSubmit

Genealogy Circle
2025-07-08 18:30 - 20:00
Are you curious about your family history? Want to learn how to start researching your roots or dig deeper into your ancestral story?
Join our Genealogy Circle!
Next Meeting:
Date & Time: Tuesday, July 8th at 6:30 pm
Location: Paradise Heritage Centre at 10307 Highway #1 in Paradise
The Genealogy Circle will meet regularly to learn, share discoveries, explore local resources, and support one another in uncovering our pasts.
All are welcome and no experience needed.
Come be part of a growing community of family history enthusiasts!
RSVP
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.Contact Name *Email *EmailConfirm EmailNumber of People Attending *Would You Like to Sign Up For the Paradise Historical Society Email List? *Yes, please sign me up!No, please use my email address for notifications about this event only.Please check the 'YES' box if you'd like to sign up to our general email list to receive notifications about news, updates, and notifications for future events.Questions? Please feel free to let us know if you have any questions about the event and we'll respond to the email address you provided ASAP. Submit
