Halifax's early settlement by the British was a response to the activities of another European power: France. The two colonial powers vied for control of North America and its natural resources, especially the fish. Starting in 1605, the French (Acadian) settlement of Port Royal on the Annapolis Basin indicated the European interest in settling and exploiting the area. This follows the pattern of human expansion across the globe since early man spread out from the area around the Olduvia Gorge in Eastern Africa to settle areas around the Eastern Mediterranean,and in successive waves to other parts of Africa, Europe, and Asia. The ancestors of the local Mi'kmaq are believed to have gradually moved from Western North America after crossing the Bering Strait from Asia to North America. This project shows prints of buildings in Halifax built the 19th century which showcase the development of construction techniques as the century progressed. Also on display are 18th century maps published in both France and the UK that record the progressive territorial claims of the two colonial power until the British finally took control and became the principal colonial power controlling Nova Scotia. We have a rich history consisting of different strands which have been woven into a tapestry that is still a work in progress.
