History of Wallace
A Story Thousands of Years in the Making
Welcome to Wallace, Nova Scotia—a community shaped by generations of people who lived, worked, and built their lives along the Northumberland Shore.
Known originally as Remsheg, a Mi’kmaq word meaning “the place between,” this area has long served as a meeting place between communities, cultures, and industries. The history of Wallace stretches from the earliest Mi’kmaq inhabitants through Acadian settlement, Loyalist immigration, shipbuilding, quarrying, forestry, fishing, and modern community life.
The First Peoples
The Mi’kmaq have lived in what is now Nova Scotia for thousands of years and were the first people to call this area home. Their connection to the land, waterways, and natural resources remains an important part of Wallace’s history and identity.
The Wallace and Area Museum continues to recognize and celebrate Mi’kmaq heritage through educational programming, interpretive displays, and one of the museum’s most significant collections—its collection of Mi’kmaq baskets crafted from materials such as black ash, sweetgrass, quills, and natural dyes.
Acadian Remsheg
During the early 1700s, Acadian families settled in the area and transformed the marshlands through the construction of dykes and agricultural systems. Remnants of these dykes can still be seen today and stand as lasting reminders of Acadian ingenuity and perseverance.
In 1755, during the Deportation of the Acadians, many local Acadian families were forced from their homes. Their story remains an important chapter in the history of Wallace and Nova Scotia.
Loyalists and a Growing Community
Following the American Revolution, United Empire Loyalists arrived in the area beginning in 1784. Many families settled on land grants in Remsheg and helped establish the foundations of the modern community.
Many familiar Wallace family names trace their roots to these early settlers, whose descendants continue to contribute to community life today.
Wallace: A Village Built on Industry
In 1825, the community was renamed Wallace in honour of Michael Wallace, the first Treasurer of Nova Scotia. Over the following decades, several industries helped shape the region’s economy and identity.
Shipbuilding
During the nineteenth century, Wallace became a significant shipbuilding centre. More than 200 vessels were constructed here, and by 1852 there were eleven active shipyards operating in the community. Shipbuilding brought prosperity and connected Wallace to ports around the world.
Wallace Sandstone
Wallace sandstone became internationally recognized for its beauty and durability. Stone quarried here was used in notable buildings across Canada and beyond, including structures on Parliament Hill in Ottawa and other landmark buildings throughout the Maritimes. The sandstone industry remains one of Wallace’s most enduring legacies.
Forestry, Fishing, and Agriculture
For generations, forestry, fishing, and farming have supported local families and helped define the character of Wallace and the surrounding area. These industries continue to influence the community today.
The Davison-Kennedy House
The Wallace and Area Museum is housed in the historic Davison-Kennedy House, built in 1839 by shipbuilder James B. Davison. The house stands as one of the community’s most important heritage buildings and serves as a link to Wallace’s shipbuilding era.
Visitors can explore exhibits throughout the home while learning about the families who lived here and the community that grew around it.
Preserving Local Stories
The Wallace and Area Museum is fortunate to hold extensive collections relating to local families, industries, and community life. Among the most important contributors to preserving Wallace history was local historian and author Francis Grant.
Through his writings, research files, and oral history work, Grant documented countless stories that might otherwise have been lost. His legacy continues to inspire the museum’s work today.