Town of Lunenburg

The Town of Lunenburg, in Nova Scotia, Canada, was formally established in 1753 as the first British Colonial settlement in Nova Scotia outside of Halifax. These early settlers were from various parts of Germany, Switzerland, and the Montbeliard region of France. They followed in the footsteps of earlier Mi'kmaq and Acadian inhabitants in the area. A vibrant and stable economy was built on farming, fishing, shipbuilding, and ocean-based commerce, particularly in the West Indies trade. More than 200 years in marine industries has provided Lunenburg with a strong economic base. With its maritime culture, Lunenburg has retained close ties with fellow Maritimers in the New England states, such as Gloucester, Massachusetts. Lunenburg's rich German heritage has also made it a popular destination for European visitors.

A view from Lunenburg's beautiful waterfront today will take in many of these established marine industries. Among these are: High Liner Foods Inc., one of the largest fish processing plants in North America; Lunenburg Industrial Foundry and Engineering Ltd., founded in 1891; Adams and Knickle; Clearwater Seafoods Limited; ABCO Industries Ltd., founded in 1947; and the Lunenburg Marine Railway, one of the largest marine railway complexes in Nova Scotia. A diversified economy based on the fishery, tourism, and manufacturing has become firmly entrenched in Lunenburg. The Town of Lunenburg's 250th anniversary in 2003 is a testament to this.

The Town of Lunenburg offers visitors many architectural delights. Houses, businesses, churches, and public buildings from the late 1700s and early 1800s are still being used today. The Town's German heritage has been maintained and promoted and the history of the fishing industry has been captured in the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic.

In 1995, the World Heritage Committee, under the auspices of UNESCO, recognized Old Town Lunenburg's cultural and natural heritage by designating it a World Heritage Site.

Old Town Lunenburg has been designated by the Government of Canada as a place of National Historic Significance since 1992. Lunenburg is part of the family of National Historic Sites, one of more than 800 places across Canada which help define the important aspects of Canada's diverse heritage and identity. For more information visit the Parks Canada Website.