Updated November 1, 2022
Deadline extended! The Royal Nova Scotia Historical Society invites applications or nominations (accompanied by a curriculum vitae and covering letter) for the volunteer position of Managing Editor. Documentation should be received by the Society’s Vice-President Publications no later than November 25, 2022. For more information please click here to read more details about the position.
October 7, 2022
The Council of the Royal Nova Scotia Historical Society plans to consult with membership on Saturday, 15 October, Akins Room at the Nova Scotia Archives, 6016 University Avenue, Halifax, NS from 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon (Atlantic). The consultation will also be available via Zoom (click here to join). For more information about the upcoming meeting, see our Community Events section of the website. Members and interested observers are welcome.
September 28, 2022
The Royal Nova Scotia Society deeply regrets the passing of Dr. David Sutherland. Dr. Sutherland was an Atlantic Canadian historian who served as a member, president, and Fellow of the Society as well as contributing to the editorial board of the Society’s Journal. Dr. Sutherland’s published obituary is below and available online via the Chronicle Herald.
It is with great sadness that we announce David’s death on July 10, 2022 at the family cottage in Upper Cape, N.B., with his wife and son holding his hands. David was born in Halifax on December 19, 1942, the only child of George and Georgie Sutherland. Having grown up in Shubenacadie and Truro, he went on to graduate from Mount Allison (BA), Dalhousie University (MA) and the University of Toronto (PhD in Canadian history). David joined the faculty at Dalhousie University’s Department of History in 1972 and spent his entire teaching and research career there. His teaching / research specialization was the history of Atlantic Canada, the city building process in 19th century Halifax, and patterns of race relations in 19th century Halifax, which resulted in a number of publications. He also supervised four doctoral and 15 M.A. dissertations, along with numerous honours theses. He was a member, president, and Fellow of the Royal Nova Scotia Historical Society [RNSHS], member of the editorial board of the Journal of the RNSHS and the Canadian Historical Review, Dalhousie Society for the History of Medicine, and the Tantramar Heritage Trust (New Brunswick). Manuscript reviewer for publications such as Acadiensis, Canadian Historical Review, and Journal of Canadian Studies. Former service and consultation with the Social Sciences and Humanities Council of Canada; and the CBC. Member for Nova Scotia of the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada (2008-2013); member and Sunday School teacher of St Andrew’s United Church, Halifax. He is survived by his beloved wife of 53 years, Betty (Elizabeth Cragg); his much-loved son, Iain Alexander Cragg, Halifax; his wonderful cats, Abraham and Isaac (Abe ‘n Ike); and several cousins, nephews, and nieces. He was predeceased by his parents and a number of cousins. There will be no visitation. A celebration of life service will be held in St. Andrew’s United Church, 6036 Coburg Road (corner of Robie St), Halifax on September 30th at 2 p.m. Masks are recommended. In lieu of flowers, donations in David’s memory can be made to the Royal Nova Scotia Historical Society, St. Andrew’s United Church Benevolent Fund, PEDVAC, or to a charity of your choice.
The Royal Nova Scotia Historical Society joins with other heritage organizations around the world in expressing sadness over the death today of The Queen. Most of us now living can remember no other sovereign presiding over our Commonwealth of Nations. For seventy years, both annually and on special occasions affecting her world and ours, she has spoken to us, sharing her thoughtfulness, her concern, her wisdom, and her deep sense of duty. Over time, many of us have come to understand that these were her own personal thoughts, not crafted by others, but drawn from long experience and close observation. She will have a lasting impact on our collective memory as a nation.
On behalf of the Society, I extend deep sympathy to her family.
Lois K. Yorke
President
Royal Nova Scotia Historical Society
Halifax, Nova Scotia
8 September 2022
The Society is saddened to hear the news of the passing of David Sutherland, former professor of history at Dalhousie University and long-time colleague as well as a past president and fellow of the RNSHS. We offer condolences to his family and friends as well as the historical community who knew and worked with Dr. Sutherland. An obituary and celebration of life is forthcoming.
Thanks to all who participated in the Winter/Spring 2022 Public Lecture Series. Please take a moment to browse the Past Lectures page and view any presentations of interest that you may have missed. Subscribe to our YouTube Channel to be notified of new content or follow us on Facebook and Twitter @RNSHS. Our AGM wrapped up in May, you’re welcome to read all the Council reports here. Looking forward to another interesting and engaging series in the fall, stay tuned!
Two new Fellows were elected to the Society at its Annual General Meeting on 18 May 2022, when John Cordes and Karen Smith were recognized for their long and capable service. Their citations read as follows:
John Cordes
Since retirement from the Department of Physics at Dalhousie and before, John Cordes has given freely of his advice, expertise and time to a number of organizations in the Halifax area. The Royal Nova Scotia Historical Society is among the organizations that have benefited from his talents as has the Genealogical Association of Nova Scotia. From 2014 to 2019 John served as our Society’s treasurer while at the same time he carried our website through development and software updates and changes. Although no longer in a named position with the Society John has continued to offer assistance and advice whenever asked.
Karen Smith
As a long-serving librarian at Dalhousie University, especially in the role of Special Collections Librarian, Karen Smith has had a deep and abiding engagement with Nova Scotia history. In addition to subject specialties including Costume Studies, Film Studies, Music, and Theatre, her work on the acquisition and interpretation of key documentary collections such as the Webster Medical History Collection (see https://vimeo.com/37690507) has greatly enhanced our ability to understand the history of the province, and especially of how to find meaning in the crucial evidence through which to do so.
Karen has also given generously of her commitment and expertise to the Royal Nova Scotia Historical Society, especially through its Journal. Since the Journal’s inauguration almost 25 years ago, she has continuously been an active and essential member of the editorial team. But the quality of her service does not, of course, depend only on its length. As Book Review Editor, she has reliably delivered reviews of the highest quality, based on her unerring ability to find the right reviewer and persuasively urge them to contribute! She has also been an insightful and dedicated member of the editorial board, invariably bringing key perspectives to discussions of all aspects of the policies and operations of the Journal. Karen’s retirement from the editorial team and the board in late 2021 means that she will be very much missed, but also gives an opportunity to reflect on, and recognize, the excellence of her contribution.
This brings the Society’s total number of Fellows to twelve.
We are pleased to announce that the first RNSHS Community Grants of $250 each have been awarded. The Admiral Digby Library & Historical Society received funds to support the conservation efforts of archival records related to the Digby Family of William Ganong. The Colchester Historical Society received funds to assist with the processing, description, and digitization of their archival photograph collection. Thanks to all who submitted applications and congratulations to the recipients!
The Editors of the Journal of the Royal Nova Scotia Historical Society are pleased to announce that the 2021 Journal is in the last stages before heading to the press, and will be in members’ mailboxes in December.
Volume 24 offers a balance of in-depth articles based on recent talks by new scholars and contributions by our long-standing members, as well as an excellent genealogy and book reviews (helpful for holiday shopping!). Full articles and research notes address a diverse array of Nova Scotian history from a variety of perspectives, covering subjects ranging from the 18th to the 20th century. There is truly something for everyone.
With this issue the editorial team sadly bids a fond farewell to our book review editor, Karen Smith, and offers profound thanks for 25 years of work on the Journal! She has been with this Journal since its beginning, serving on the editorial board and helping to shape the publication as it has adapted to changing times. She will be very much missed. If any of our members wish to take up this task, please contact the journal editors at editor@rnshs.ca
We would like to remind members that their dues for 2021 must be paid in order to receive Volume 24 of the Journal. (It also could make a nice holiday gift!) To renew, join, or buy a gift membership, you can go to our website at https://www.rnshs.ca/?cat=24 .
If you have questions, you can contact our membership secretary at membership@rnshs.ca
Dear Members and Friends,
With the current easing of certain Public Health protocols around COVID-19 in Nova Scotia, your Council has carefully considered where and how our monthly meetings should be held for the immediate future. We know that many of you are interested in this! Given continuing uncertainties around requirements for public gatherings, and the general unavailability of the Akins Room at the Nova Scotia Archives for the remainder of 2021, we have decided to continue meeting online via Zoom, for November and December.
We will revisit this early in the new year, and will keep you updated. We’re all anxious to resume in-person meetings, and we’re exploring several hybrid options to enable those of you at a distance to continue live participation.
Meanwhile, we look forward to seeing and hearing you via Zoom, and we thank you for your continued support and patience. Questions and concerns are always welcome, sent to info@rnshs.ca.
Sincerely,
Lois
Lois K. Yorke
President
Royal Nova Scotia Historical Society
