McCulloch House Museum & Genealogy Centre

Attractions in the The Northumberland Shore

The Genealogy Centre hosts a broad range of temporary exhibits focusing on local history and culture during the summer months. It is also the location of the archival facility and research centre. With a growing interest in the heritage of Pictou County, this abundance of archival material includes hundreds of personal and corporate documents as well as family histories, newspapers on microfilm, vital statistics and much more. These resources combined with an extensive local history library provide visitors, students and academics alike with the opportunity to deeply explore the heritage of Eastern Canada.

The McCulloch House Museum is a locally managed site of the Nova Scotia Museum family of provincial museums It boasts interpretive materials designed to tell the story of Thomas McCulloch and his roles in education and politics in Pictou in the early 19th century. As well, the McCulloch House museum is host to a large collection of artifacts, many being Dr. McCulloch’s personal belongings from his teaching at Pictou Academy.

The house is listed on the Canadian Register of Historic Places, and is built of brick with sandstone accents. It was built by McCulloch circa 1806 as a one and a half story cottage, also knowns as Sherbrooke Cottage. It is situated on top of a knoll overlooking Pictou Harbour. In about 1890 a gambrel roof and dormers were added.