Formation of the Bridgetown and Area Historical Society

The James House stood vacant for 2 years, 1977 and 1978. It seemed destined to be destroyed to make space for a parking lot in the downtown area. In 1979, public interest grew in saving the property. This prompted the formation of the Bridgetown and Area Historical Society.

In May 1979, Mr. Clyde Everett, a prominent citizen of Bridgetown, felt inspired by this project. He purchased this important landmark and presented it, as a gift to the society. The citizens of Bridgetown being very proud of their historic heritage are preserving the James House as an historic site and it has become the James House Museum. Why don't you become a member?

Statement of Purpose

The purpose of the Bridgetown and Area Historical Society is to foster interest in the historical background of the Bridgetown area in Annapolis County, Nova Scotia, and to disseminate information about the historical background. The James House Museum is the major endeavour of the Society in achieving its purposes.

Statement of Objectives

The specific objectives of the Society are

• To preserve the historical fabric of the James House situated on the east side of Queen Street in the Town of Bridgetown. James House was built by Richard James in 1835.
• To maintain exhibition space for displays of historical and cultural interest.
• To maintain the James House for a focal point for activities of an historic nature.
• To foster the preservation of the recorded history of the economic baser of the area pursuant to the Society’s objective to locate, preserve and record all things historic pertaining to the area.
• To collect and preserve documents and photographs of historic interest.
• To create a photographic archive of the Town of Bridgetown (past and present) and the area.
• To encourage an interest in things historic and in the heritage of the area especially in the schools.
• To disseminate information about matters historic and the heritage of the area.
• To acquire a limited collection of artifacts related to the James Family, the James House, and its original period (it not intended that the Museum maintain an extensive collection of artifacts).