The Birchtown Loyalist Heritage Complex plans were developed with the assistance of Dr. Sharon Clyke-Oliver, of Connexus, the first Black Heritage Development Consultant, and Christine Macy of the Architectural Firm of Filem Ltd.
The Design will not only highlight Black Loyalist history and heritage, but they will also encompass aspects of community development and tourism. The Society is concerned with the future economic survival of its Black Loyalist Citizenry. It's members recognize that, over the years, the Black community in southwest Nova Scotia has been eroding, due to a lack of local employment opportunities. The Society plans to create an environment for the development of heritage-educational programs and resources, as well as skills-training to nurture confidence and stimulate self sustainability through co-operative and independant enterprises. St. Paul's Church will be utilized as part of the Interpretive Center to exhibit and potentially conduct special ceremonies.
The Complex will be a multipurpose facility. Including a reception center, exhibit center, library, museum, educational center, virtual reality survival experience and an entertainment center.
It will accommodate core and special programs, as well as provide space for multimedia technology including community internet access, the Society's administrative offices and maintenance equipment storage. The Black Loyalist Heritage Society intends to have workshops in The Center for ongoing demonstrations in Black Heritage Crafts skills. The Black Loyalist Enterprises Boutique will retail Black Loyalist Collectables, and sell products on consignment from the general Black Community.
The Heritage Center will incorporate agricultural landscaping that is unique to Nova Scotia within The Complex and will include a botanical garden, cultivating crops such as cotton, cocoa, coffee, rice, sugar cane, and tobacco; the vegetation that Black Loyalist settlers would have been accustomed to planting.
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