Our Research Library
Research Library
Our Research Library provides access to historical and photographic records about our community, with a focus on Bridgewater’s history.
Items available include:
Bridgewater business records, photographs, postcards, original documents, local architecture, early maps, historic fire and police department records, biographies, community histories, local churches, local schools, family histories, books about Bridgewater and/or written by local authors, and more. Learn more below.
Online Indexes
Our searchable indexes available to you at the research centre and online. See list of indexes below: Research Library holdings, Biographical files, and Reference files (includes businesses and significant events).
Research Library
Holdings
Biographical Files
Reference Files
Collections
DesBrisay Museum’s artifact collection is available to view and search from wherever you are. As much as we love to see you in-person, we realize that’s not always possible. Our artifact catalogue, including details on each object, is hosted online by NovaMuse.
NovaMuse is a collection of collections. These collections are held in the public trust, and museums right across Nova Scotia work to preserve, research, interpret, and exhibit the objects in their care through this site. To view the Nova Muse Collection and other online resources, click on each of the sections below:
Local Histories
Click through the tabs above to explore human stories, milestones for Bridgewater and local landmarks.
The Town of Bridgewater and its surrounding villages in Lunenburg County have produced many legendary characters over the years. Their stories provide us with a glimpse into what life was like along the Atlantic Coast in a time that spanned the age of wood, wind, and sail, as well as the rapidly industrializing world. Click through the tab above to explore the stories behind some of Bridgewater’s best known individuals, organizations, and locales.
Human Stories
The Town of Bridgewater and its surrounding villages in Lunenburg County have produced many legendary characters over the years. Their stories provide us with a glimpse into what life was like along the Atlantic Coast in a time that spanned the age of wood, wind, and sail, as well as the rapidly industrializing world.
Click the names below to explore the stories behind some of Bridgewater’s best known individuals, organizations, and locales:
Robert Dawson, the Entrepreneur
Dr. Ernst, the Real Estate Tycoon
Jumbo Oxner, the Merchant of Bridgewater
Dr. Frank Davis, the Politician
W.T. Ritcey, the Man with the Vision
The Little Fire Brigade That Could
History of the Bridgewater Tennis Club
Milestones for Bridgewater
The Town of Bridgewater has certainly grown over time. It began as a rural, inland trading stop in the early 1800s, grew to become the de facto shiretown of Lunenburg County by 1900, and is now the professional and essential service hub of the South Shore.
Check out the links below to learn about some of the community’s noteworthy “firsts,” and take a look at some of the more significant architectural heritage that can be found throughout the neighbourhoods:
Bridgewater’s Noteworthy Firsts
Bridgewater’s Historic Landmarks
This pamphlet was produced by the Heritage Advisory Committee and the DesBrisay Museum to aid in learning about historic homes, churches, streetscapes, cemeteries, and industrial structures found in the community.
A Historic Walking Tour
Take 35 minutes and walk through Bridgewater’s oldest neighbourhoods to witness some of the wonderful 19th century and early 20th century architecture.
A Pleasant Walking Tour
Take 45 minutes and stroll down Pleasant Street and take note of its 19th century and early 20th century architecture.
Online Resources
Donate to Our Collection
We wish to acknowledge and thank our many donors who have entrusted their family heirlooms to DesBrisay Museum over the years, starting with the collection by Judge Mather Byles DesBrisay (1828-1900) for whom the museum is named, and his wife Ada DesBrisay.
Thank you for interest in contributing to the museum’s collection. At this time, we are conducting a review of our collection and are not accepting additional items.
The collection rationalization process is to evaluate our holdings to ensure capacity for care and to enable us to identify missing or underrepresented narratives.
These initiatives are to ensure the museum is reflective of our community. If you have any item that reflects a story that is not a part of our collection, we welcome you to approach a member of staff. Our intention is to ensure that all peoples living in the County of Lunenburg are represented within the museum. The majority of our current collection reflects Lunenburg County’s Settler history. Stories or objects representing the history of Indigenous and Minority communities are a priority.
Part of the collection review process has been completed through the implementation of rolling storage shelving in our collection holding area. This project was made possible through a Museum Assistance Program Grant from the Department of Canadian Heritage.
L’examen de notre collection de musée était partiellement complétée avec l’implémentation du projet d’installation des étagères roulantes. Ce projet était réalisable avec l’aide generoux de Patrimoine canadien.