61 Dundas Street
Dartmouth, NS B2Y 4H5
902-423-4807
contact@htns.ca
Who We Are & What We Do
Since 1959, we have worked to protect the built heritage
that makes our province so special.
Our Mission
The Heritage Trust exists to preserve and protect Nova Scotia’s built heritage for the enjoyment and benefit of present and future generations.
Our Vision
The vision of the HTNS is a province where Nova Scotians recognize that built heritage enhances our quality of life and wellbeing, contributes to a sense of place, and provides social, economic and environmental benefits.
Our Mandate
The Mandate of the HTNS is the preservation and protection of Nova Scotia’s built heritage, which encompasses structures, districts, and landscapes of architectural, historical and cultural significance.
Within this mandate, the Trust:
- conducts research, delivers educational programs and publishes materials that advance the public appreciation of and strengthen protections for Nova Scotia’s built heritage
- provides resources that assist the stewards of heritage buildings to maintain their properties in a manner that respects the heritage character while adapting them to contemporary uses;
- advises government, heritage organizations and the public on matters pertaining to the preservation and promotion of Nova Scotia’s built heritage;
- provides grants to qualified recipients to assist stewards of built heritage to preserve and maintain those heritage resources;
- promotes the value of built heritage
- acquires real property as necessary to further the aims of the Trust.
Our Values
The Heritage Trust of Nova Scotia values:
- Built Heritage in all its forms and the living legacy these resources represent;
- Diversity and the way in which our built heritage can tell the stories of the varied cultures and people who have shaped Nova Scotia’s history;
- Sustainability and the role that heritage preservation can play in both environmental, economic and community sustainability;
- Craftmanship, quality and traditional practices, which are embodied in Nova Scotia’s built heritage and their stewards;
- Rigorous research and best practices in heritage preservation, which we strive to exemplify and encourage;
- Partnerships and working cooperatively with peer organizations, educational institutions, government and the public to advance the cause of built heritage preservation;
- Accessibility, both physical and intellectual
Board & Staff
The Heritage Trust’s important work is made possible by the contributions of our dedicated volunteer Board of Directors and our staff. Learn more about them by clicking here.
Our Committees
Our committees are chaired by members of our Board of Directors and are made up of board members and volunteers. We are always happy to welcome new volunteer members.
For information on our current committees,
email us at contact@htns.ca or call 902-423-4807.
Heritage Trust By-Laws
The Trust By-Laws officially set forth the objective of the Heritage Trust of Nova Scotia as well as its organizational structure and committees.
2024-2027 Strategic Plan
Starting in 2023 the Trust began the process of creating a new strategic plan to guide our work for the coming 3 years.
We solicited input from members of the public as well as past and present members of the Board of Directors and past and present staff.
The result was the plan that can be read here:
Annual Reports
2025 report coming soon