Spencer’s Garden Centre is located in the historic town of Shelburne on Nova Scotia’s South Shore. Founded in 1783 by United Empire Loyalists from New England, the town is proud of its roots. In the centre of the 10-block waterfront heritage district is the museum complex where the Loyalist, shipbuilding, fishing and even the movie-making industry are interpreted by museum guides in period costumes.
A re-enactment regiment performs drills and hosts encampments in this historic district. The Shelburne Longboat Society builds replica rowing boats and drills with them in the harbour, adding to the historically themed colour and activities. In nearby Birchtown, the new ultra-modern Black Loyalist Heritage Centre is a major new community landmark and attraction. Shelburne celebrates its roots at the annual mid-July Dock Days Festival.
The Shelburne Harbour Yacht Club is housed at one end of the downtown historic district in the same building as the Osprey Arts Centre. Both are very busy operations, SHYC running two weekly sailing races and annual regattas on one of the finest harbours on the east coast, the Osprey presenting year round entertainment including live threatre, concerts and movie screenings.
Shelburne is a community that values active living. Kids enjoy the splash pad, the skate park, baseball diamonds, sports fields and basketball courts around town. Seniors enjoy clubs for knitting and rug hooking. The 18-hole River Hills Golf Club is 15 minutes from town as are countless gorgeous white-sand beaches, hiking trails, rivers, lakes and wilderness areas and parks for hiking, paddling, hunting and fishing.
The fishing industry – primarily lobster – is the mainstay of the local economy. Shelburne County is considered the lobster capital of the world. Modern fishing boats are docked several deep at many county wharves. The community celebrates every June with the community-wide Shelburne County Lobster Festival. There’s a country fair every August called the Shelburne County Exhibition grounds when livestock, competitions, live music and a midway are the attractions. A favourite local pastime in summer is fishing for mackerel off wharves and in small boats in Shelburne Harbour.
Shelburne is a picturesque small town in a rural setting with all the amenities, services, attractions and activities for visitors and residents alike. Spencer’s is proud member and an integral part of the local Shelburne community.
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