NEWS RELEASE

Seaview Park Re-named Africville

 

(July 29, 2011) – Seaview Park was officially renamed “Africville” at a ceremony held this afternoon. Renaming the park fulfills one of the promises made as part of the agreement Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) reached with the Africville Genealogy Society in February 2010.

 

"Restoring the name Africville recognizes the community’s rich and vibrant cultural heritage,” said Mayor Kelly. “As we’ve implemented the promises of our agreement, our commitment to honour the past remains remain strong, and we continue to take action in the present, and plan for community-based improvements for the future.”

 

A predominantly African Nova Scotian community, Africville stood on the shores of the Bedford Basin for 150 years before its homes and the Seaview United Baptist Church were removed by the former City of Halifax. Approximately 400 people were relocated throughout the city at that time.

 

"We are touched and proud to see this day come,” said Irvine Carvery, Chair, Africville Genealogy Society. “Returning the name Africville to this place is so special to so many, and it represents one of the final pieces of the agreement we’ve waited so long to see.”

 

"The Africville Heritage Trust is honoured to have been given the responsibility to build the church museum and the interpretive center,” says Daurene Lewis, Chair of the Trust. “This will be a lasting symbol on which to base the healing.”

 

In February 2010, Mayor Kelly delivered an official apology to the people of Africville and revealed the terms of an agreement that included the following provisions for HRM:

• $3 million was contributed toward the reconstruction and operation of the Seaview United Baptist Church to serve as a memorial to Africville;
   
• 2.5 acres of land was provided at Seaview Park to the Africville Heritage Trust Board that was established subsequent to the agreement. The replica Church, which will include exhibits depicting the story of Africville, is now under construction by the AHT;
   
• A park maintenance agreement is being developed between the Africville Heritage Trust and HRM for the lands now known as Africville (formerly Seaview Park);
   
• An African Nova Scotian Affairs function within HRM was included in business plans for the 2010/11 fiscal year.

The agreement was the result of the hard work of a tripartite committee struck in 2005 with representation from the three levels of government and the Africville Genealogy Society.
 

The Africville Genealogy Society, which represents former residents and their descendents, has devoted many years to seeking a fitting recognition of Africville and a way to ensure its history remains a significant part of the fabric of the municipality.
 

For more information about the history of Africville please visit the Africville Genealogy Society website at www.africville.ca.

  

 

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Contact:

Mayor Peter Kelly
490-4010
 

Irvine Carvery
Chair, Africville Genealogy Society
237-8745
 

Daurene Lewis
Chair, Africville Heritage Trust
491-4642