CJLS News Photo
There’s a new heritage building in Yarmouth.
The Killam Brothers Shipping Office received the designation on the weekend and is now officially a heritage site.
Mayor Pam Mood tells CJLS News they had a special ceremony to announce the status.
“We have officially recognized the Killam Brothers Building, as Canada’s oldest shipping office, as a Municipal Heritage Property. We had a plaque unveiling at the building yesterday”
The Mayor says that, in practical terms, the designation means there are certain things that must be done to maintain the property but it means far more than that.
“It’s that there are so many stories attached to these and it’s our built heritage, it’s the stories, it’s our history, it’s our culture, it’s all those pieces come together and we want to maintain those properties and the stories that go with them”
A release from the Town says “The ceremony featured a proclamation delivered by Town Crier David Ollie, followed by a welcome and Birthday wishes from Mayor Mood. Jason Deveau, Executive Assistant to MP Colin Fraser spoke to the attendees, followed by Nadine Gates from the Yarmouth County Museum who provided a detailed background about the significance of the property. David Sollows was on hand to provide information to guests on the Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve and Randy Saulnier (Heritage Committee member) spoke on behalf of the Killam family.”
The building was constructed in 1835 for the David and Wallace Flint shipping business and then bought by the Killams in 1856, which was one of the largest dealers in hard and soft coal in Western Nova Scotia and extended to all parts of the world.
The property has belonged to the town since 1991.
