Governance

  • The Lunenburg Heritage Society is a registered not-for-profit charity and operates under a set of by-laws established in 2011. A volunteer Board of Directors oversees the Governance of the Society. The Society has many members, many of whom render not only financial support, but also give substantial amounts of their time and talents to operate many activities from which the Society draws its life.

  • The Board of Directors meet regularly throughout the year and oversees the operation and communications for the Society. This group of dedicated volunteers comes from a variety of backgrounds, but all share the common interest in heritage and helping to preserve it in Lunenburg.

  • Board of Directors

    Nathalie Irving - Chair
    Kathy Bradford - Vice-Chair
    Rachel Martin - Treasurer
    Tiffany Allen – Secretary
    Patricia Nicoll
    Wendy Dean
    Susan Hall
    Bernard MacIssac

  • Committees

    Knaut-Rhuland House Museum (Operations)

    Knaut-Rhuland House Renewal

    Fundraising

    Events

    Media

    Nova Scotia Folk Art Festival

    Lunenburg Heritage House Tour

Our History

The Lunenburg Heritage Society was established in 1972 as a non-profit society with the intent of preserving and promoting the character, ambiance and old-world charm of the community of Lunenburg as reflected in its architecture, waterfront and the evolution of its economic activity.

In 2000 the Lunenburg Heritage Society purchased an 18th century residence to establish and operate a House Museum dedicated to the portrayal of the life and history of the early settlement of the Town of Lunenburg. This residence is now known as the Knaut-Rhuland House Museum and is open to the general public during the summer months.

The Society can look back with pride on many accomplishments in which it has either taken the lead role or been actively involved. Significant among these are:

    • The publication and marketing of several books, pamphlets, posters, and note cards of historical interest
    • Creation of the Lunenburg Heritage Quilt in 2003 by Laurie Swim to commemorate Lunenburg’s 250th Birthday
    • The establishment of the public library, which today is a flourishing and expanding institution
    • The establishment of a public Art Gallery, which now operates as a separate organization
    • The establishment of the Lunenburg Craft Festival in 1975 which is now independent from the Society
    • Support to the Lunenburg Academy Foundation in the preservation of that National Historic Site
    • Support to the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic in its presentation of the evolution of the fishing industry
    • Support to the South Shore Genealogical Society which operates today as an excellent resource centre for research on early settlers
    • Construction of the Heritage Bandstand in 1989 which today operates as a key site for many community events by the Town of Lunenburg
    • Financial support to the erection of the Fisherman’s Memorial

Other Involvement

  • Town of Lunenburg – Heritage Advisory Committee

    The Town of Lunenburg recognizes the Lunenburg Heritage Society as a group that demonstrates active interest in the preservation of buildings of historic significance within the town, and, as such two seats are reserved for its members who are residents of the Town.
    These two seats are currently held by Nathalie Irving and Oliver Osmond.

  • Lunenburg Cultural Collective

    The Lunenburg Cultural Collective was formed in 2020 in response to the Lunenburg Cultural Action Plan. This group is made up of representatives from a cross section of Lunenburg cultural organizations covering arts, heritage, music, literature, film, and government.
    The Lunenburg Heritages Society is currently represented by Kathy Bradford.

Learn more...

Are you interested in learning more about the Society and becoming more involved? A member of the Board would love to sit down with you (in person or on the phone) and discuss what we do and answer your questions.

Contact Us