Africville was a small community in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, primarily populated by African Nova Scotians. It existed from the early 1800s to the 1960s on the southern shore of Bedford Basin. The government designated it as a commemorative site and built a museum there. As an example of the 1960s “urban renewal” trend that razed similarly racialized neighbourhoods across Canada, and the struggle against racism, the community has become an important symbol of Black Canadian identity.
Africville was founded by Black Nova Scotians of various origins. Many of the first settlers were formerly enslaved African Americans from the Thirteen Colonies, Black Loyalists who were freed by the Crown during the American Revolutionary War and War of 1812. Along Albemarle Street, black people established Africville. Other residents arrived later, in association with Black people recruited from the American South for mining jobs at Glace Bay.
The community had a peak population of 400 at the time of the Halifax Explosion in 1917, with haphazardly placed dwellings ranging from small, well-maintained, and brightly painted homes to tiny ramshackle dwellings converted from sheds. 44–45 Africville was shielded from the direct blast of the explosion and the total destruction that levelled the neighbouring community of Richmond.
Dive Report
February 2023, quick dive on a snowy day. It was choppy when we entered but definitely wavy when we exited. The outside air temperature was -3 degrees Celsius plus wind chill, and the water temperature was 5 degrees Celsius. Someone clearly uses the area as a driving range, as there were numerous golf balls in one area.
Joe LeBlanc
