Old Sydney Society

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Home to the Mi'Kmaq people, refuge to Basque fishermen in the 16th century, and originally known to Europeans as Spanish Bay, Sydney Harbour was chosen by loyalists as the site for a colonial capital founded in 1785 with renowned cartographer Col J. F. W. DesBarres as its first governor. It later became the port of entry for 50,000 Scots who settled in Cape Breton in the early 19th century, and at the beginning of the 20th century was transformed from a quiet little town into a cosmopolitan industrial centre with one of North America's largest steel works. During World War II, Sydney Harbour was the assembly point for the slow convoys crossing the Atlantic to England.

Sydney is now an important centre for tourists visiting the historic province of Nova Scotia, and is still home to the Mi'kmaq. The Old Sydney Society takes pride in preserving some of the built heritage of this area for visitors to enjoy and future generations to learn from.

All these sites are within easy walking distance of one another and Downtown Sydney. Guided walking tours may be arranged by calling 539-1572.

Come and explore with us the Colonial Town of Old Sydney, which is now the North End of the City.

SIX BUILDINGS, still standing, were constructed in the late 18th Century and another two were built at the turn of the 19th. All can be seen within a two block radius.

We will visit four Old Sydney Society Museums 

• The Jost House 
• St. Patricks's Museum
• Cossit House
• Lyceum

Please click here if you wish

to go to these four museums

Of these, the Cossit House and the Jost House are TWO of the oldest of the six mentioned previously. Please note too that here in the Jost house you will find details of the life of Samuel Sparrow.

St. Patrick's Museum houses many historic artifacts. and an interesting model of the houses and streets covered in our Walking tour.

Home-made refreshments offer a delightful taste of local hospitality at our final stop, the Centre of Heritage and Science (Lyceum). This Museum hosts an interesting variety of local and touring exhibits. As well, the Centre of Heritage and Science includes a Museum Shop where you can purchase books of local interest, high quality Canadian-made souvenirs and jewellery, and a variety of fine and unusual things from around the world.

At the end of your Tour, you may prefer to return to your Hotel, or visit the local shops, which are within easy walking distance. Our guides will be pleased to answer your questions regarding any items of particular interest.

The tour, by arrangement at 10.00 a.m. and/or 2.00 p.m., lasting 2 hours, leaves from the DELTA SYDNEY HOTEL, 300 ESPLANADE, SYDNEY.

Included in the price of the tour are refreshments.

Come and explore with us the Colonial Town of Old Sydney, which is now the North End of the City.

SIX BUILDINGS, still standing, were constructed in the late 18th Century and another two were built at the turn of the 19th. All can be seen within a two block radius.

We will visit two Old Sydney Society Museums, ONE of which is the oldest of the six mentioned previously - the Jost House. These two are shown on the above image.

Our next stop will be the Cape Breton Centre for Craft & Design. Here we will find the Cape Breton School of Crafts which provides classes, workshops, exhibitions as well as a meeting place and a resource centre. A unique opportunity to view traditional handcrafts of our Island.

Home-made refreshments are included in the price of the tour, and offer a delightful taste of local hospitality at our final stop, the Centre of Heritage and Science. This Museum hosts an interesting variety of touring exhibits.

At the end of your Tour, you may prefer to return to your Hotel, or visit the local shops, which are within easy walking distance. Our guides will be pleased to answer your questions regarding any items of particular interest.

The tour, by arrangement at 10.00 a.m. and/or 2.00 p.m., lasting 2 hours, leaves from the DELTA SYDNEY HOTEL, 300 ESPLANADE, SYDNEY.

Included in the price of the tour are refreshments.

(Please click above to enlarge the image)

The Royal Bank Lion is one
of a series of monuments
erected by the Society along the
North End waterfront.

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