Ross Thomson House & Store Museum
Travel back in time to the 18th century in the recently settled town of Shelburne, where thousands of loyalist refugees began new lives after the American Revolutionary War. In the store, merchants George and Robert Ross operated their business, exporting local fish and timber in exchange for imports like molasses, coffee, sugar, and wine. In the living quarters, discover the story of Catherine Edwards, held in bondage by the Ross brothers, who escaped and forged her freedom. Above the store, learn about Nova Scotia’s militia history and how Shelburne responded to the Fenian Raids.
Guided tours in English and self-guided tours in both official languages are available. While our historic building is not physically accessible, guests with mobility constraints are invited to chat with guides in our gardens. Part of the Nova Scotia Museum family.
Location
9 Charlotte Lane
Shelburne, NS
Plan Your Visit
For more information about the Ross Thomson House & Store Museum, please visit their website or email shelburne.museum@ns.sympatico.ca
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Look for the following logo at participating historic sites. Partner Organization: Shelburne Museums by the Sea |
The Ross-Thomson House is named for the two families that lived and worked here.
George and Robert Ross were Scottish brothers and business partners who emigrated to the British colony of West Florida. At the end of the American Revolution, they became part of the group of refugees known as Loyalists and settled in Shelburne. They established their store on Charlotte Lane in 1785, adding a house in 1787. The brothers carried on extensive and profitable trade, especially with the West Indies, exchanging local fish and timber for goods like molasses, sugar, coffee and tobacco. Robert died in Cape Town, South Africa in 1809 and George died in Shelburne in 1816.
Like many of the Loyalist settlers, there is good evidence that the Ross Brothers were enslavers. A woman named Catherine Edwards that George Ross claimed as his property made a successful bid for her freedom in 1806. Her case before the Supreme Court at Halifax helped set a legal precedent that undermined slavery’s already shaky legality in Nova Scotia.
Shortly before his death, George Ross sold the property to Dorcas Thomson, the wife of Robert Thomson, who worked as a clerk for the Ross brothers. The Thomsons raised their family here and Dorcas continued to operate the store. Their youngest son, Robert Ross Thomson, assisted in the business and took it over upon Dorcas’ death. At age 25, he was appointed Postmaster for Shelburne and at age 58, became Lieutenant-Colonel of the local Militia during the Fenian Raids. A room above the store area which was originally used for the storage of dry goods became the Battalion Headquarters for the Shelburne Militia in the mid-1800s. Original Brown Bess muskets from the two local Militia units are on display.
The store closed once Robert Ross Thomson passed away in 1880, but a succession of Thomson descendants continued to live in the house until the 1920s. The building was passed to the Shelburne Historical Society and finally deeded to the Nova Scotia government in 1971 to become part of the Nova Scotia Museum.
Family-friendly activities and 18th century crafts are featured in the gardens throughout the summer.
