One of Nova Scotia's 10 living history attractions, the Hector Heritage Quay Interpretation Centre relates the story of the Town of Pictou beginning on September 15th, 1773, the date on which the ship
Hector sailed into the Pictou harbour with 189 Scottish emigrants aboard, hoping to make a new life in Nova Scotia. This event represented the beginning of a huge migration of people from various areas of the United Kingdom to North America, a great many of them to Nova Scotia and to the Pictou area in particular.
The Hector Heritage Quay consists of a three storey Interpretive Centre which contains a wealth of information on immigration, in particular Scottish immigration, and, docked at the wharf is the centrepiece of the museum, a replica of the ship "Hector". The centre was officially opened
by Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal Lady Camilla on July 6, 1991.
From its 1991 Grand Opening the Hector Heritage Quay sailed along until 2010, when the financial burden of operating the Quay became too much for the Town of Pictou's budget and the Quay was closed. In 2011, however, the Hector Heritage Quay was purchased by the Hector Quay Society, who reopened the Quay in 2011. The two news articles excerpted below provide a bit of the detail on the Quay's closure and subsequent reopening.
Future uncertain for Hector, Quay
Amy Reusch | Wednesday, April 7, 2010
The future of the Hector Heritage Quay remains uncertain. Despite the announcement on March 30 that the quay would not open for the 2010 season, Mayor Joe Hawes says council is continuing to work with federal and provincial governments to secure funding for its operations.
Council members met with representatives from the Department of economic Development, Department of tourism, culture and Heritage, Premier Dexter`s office and the Atlantic canada opportunities Agency (AcoA) on March 31.
During the meeting, council presented further documentation for the waterfront transitional six point plan drafted 18 months ago, which was previously given to provincial and federal officials. the plan contains strategies to repair the ship and the quay and make the operation economically sustainable.
Both government bodies have agreed to fund several requests outlined in the plan (see side bar on page 2) but the town is still waiting for a decision on the other points.
The cost of constructing a new sewage treatment plant, as well as annual operating expenses are the reasons for the quay’s closure.
From the Pictou AdvocateHector Quay to open Saturday
Steve Goodwin | Wednesday, May 18, 2011
It was a year ago when [Hector Quay Society president Anne] Emmett and the group’s other members arrived at town council chambers with a proposal to purchase and operate the quay that had to be delivered by 2 p.m...
...Hours of operation will officially begin Sunday when the quay will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through June 30. Hours will be 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. July 1 to Sept. 16 and revert to 9 to 5 through Thanksgiving weekend...
Saturday’s session will include presentations to Aecon Fabco and Northern Pulp, who have supported the society with financial and in-kind donations.
The ship was in dry dock for repairs over the winter before returning to the water Tuesday. The society’s complement of registered volunteers has risen to 85 and they were busy last Friday undergoing a volunteer orientation. Work continued last weekend to finish cleaning the facility for its opening.
From the Pictou Advocate