Old Town Lunenburg

Today I am going to start writing about the six UNESCO designated sites found in the province of Nova Scotia.  

The first one is a place that I called home when I started my teaching career.  I lived in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia and taught at Centre Consolidated School in the County of Lunenburg, NS. I taught Math and Physical Education and coached many Sports Teams for Centre Consolidated School.  

In 1995 UNESCO designated Old Town Lunenburg a World Heritage Site. This UNESCO World Heritage Site takes visitors back to the 18th and 19th centuries when this fishing port bristled with tall ships. This historic town, founded in 1753, is known for its well-preserved Georgian architecture and its maritime history.  

The town of Lunenburg was founded as a British colonial settlement.  It was an important centre of the Atlantic fishing and shipbuilding industries.  The Old Town area of Lunenburg has been well-preserved and retains much of its original character.  The narrow streets and brightly painted wooden houses with steep roofs and dormer windows are special features of the town’s colonial past.  

St. John’s Anglican Church is one of the main attractions in Old Town Lunenburg. This church was built in 1754 and is one of the oldest wooden churches in North America.  The church features beautiful stained glass windows and intricate wooden carvings. 

The Lunenburg Academy, built between 1893-1895, is a massive, three-storey wooden Victorian building.  Located just outside the Old Town section, this 19th-century school building has been restored and is now a museum and cultural centre. 

Many of the buildings in Old Town Lunenburg have been carefully restored to their original state.  UNESCO recognized the town for its efforts to preserve its heritage. 

Old Town Lunenburg was a hub for shipbuilding and many of the town’s residents worked as sailors, shipbuilders and fishers.  The Lunenburg Fisheries Museum showcases the town’s fishing and shipbuilding heritage through exhibits and interactive displays.

Old Town Lunenburg is a unique and fascinating destination that is definitely worth a visit, if you are interested in history, architecture or just a charming coastal town.

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