Pictou Island Heritage Society
About the Society
Learn how PIHS preserves, researches, and shares the heritage of Pictou Island.
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About the Society
Volunteer-led.
Community-rooted.
Incorporated in 2016
The Pictou Island Heritage Society was founded in 2016 by a dedicated group of seasonal and permanent members of the Pictou Island community. It was incorporated under the Nova Scotia Societies Act on September 26, 2016, registry number 3301771.
The original plan was developed by Directors Bill MacMillan, Jane MacDonald, Lorne Matheson, Gary Faryniuk, and Skip Hamilton, with a management team that included Caitlin Banks, Janice Faryniuk, Lorne Matheson, Kay Langille, Brenda Spence-MacLeod, and Joyce Halasz.
PIHS documents, archives, researches, protects, and shares the past, present, and future of the island community. Its work includes Gaelic and Celtic oral traditions and the history of fisheries, agriculture, transportation, community life, landmarks, documents, photographs, and artifacts.
Vision: Knowledge of Pictou Island's unique history and past culture is preserved and known by future generations.
Mission: To promote understanding, appreciation, and conservation of the island's early and modern history—its stories, legends, documents, artifacts, and heritage places—for current and future generations.
The Society's first major project was the Heritage Site created to house the historic Pictou Island iceboat and other island memorabilia. Its work continues through interpretation, preservation projects, research, events, fundraising, and community collaboration.
View the eight strategic priorities for 2026–2030 →Open the research resources →
Respect for history, place, and communityInclusiveness and collaborationTransparency and accountabilityStewardship and careVolunteerism and shared responsibility
South Lighthouse
West Lighthouse
East Lighthouse
Sutherland Memorial Church
Pioneer Cemetery
Gathering for LobsterFest XVIII, 2026
LobsterFest XVIII community meal
Lobster prepared for LobsterFest XVIII
Arriving for LobsterFest XVIII
Young visitors at LobsterFest XVIII
LobsterFest XVIII volunteers
Community dinner at LobsterFest XVIII
Society strategy
Eight strategic priorities · 2026–2030
The Society will focus on these eight interrelated priorities during the 2026–2030 planning period.
Interpretation, Education, and Storytelling
Community Engagement and Events
Fundraising and Financial Sustainability
Heritage Properties and Asset Awareness
Digital Heritage and Access
Recognition and Celebration of Contributions
Governance Strengthening and Organizational Continuity
Membership and participation
A Society accountable to its members
Membership is more than showing support. Members can participate in the Society’s meetings, decisions, and governance, while helping preserve and share Pictou Island heritage.
- Participate in member meetings, including the Annual General Meeting.
- Receive reports and financial information presented to members.
- Vote on matters that require member input.
- Stand for election to the Board as a Director and be eligible for officer roles as provided by the Society’s governing documents.
PIHS recognizes General, Honorary, and Life Members. Directors are elected annually, and officers are chosen by the Board from among the sitting Directors.
Open PIHS in the Nova Scotia Registry of Joint Stock Companies (Registry ID 3301771) →Join and support PIHS
Help preserve Pictou Island history
Membership connects you with the Society's work. Additional financial support helps PIHS preserve records, photographs, artifacts, heritage places, interpretive exhibits, and community stories.
$10 membership
General membership runs from AGM to AGM. To join or renew, contact a PIHS Director. Payment can be made directly to a board member or sent by e-transfer to pictouislandheritagesociety@gmail.com.
Email PIHS about membershipNo payment information is collected by this website.Contribute to PIHS
Financial contributions help PIHS care for heritage places and preserve records, photographs, artifacts, exhibits, and community stories. Contributions can be arranged with a Director or sent by e-transfer to pictouislandheritagesociety@gmail.com.
Email PIHS about contributingPIHS is not a charitable organization and does not issue tax receipts for financial contributions.Volunteer & community support
Help care for our heritage sites
PIHS is a volunteer organization made possible by the efforts and time of the board, members and community members. The upkeep of our heritage sites is ongoing and we greatly appreciate all who help at our annual work parties.
Ask about volunteeringSociety leadership
Board and recognized members
The Society is volunteer-led. Its membership honours people whose knowledge and service have made a lasting contribution to Pictou Island heritage.
Board and officers — 2026
- Brenda Spence-MacLeodPresident
- Dana MorinVice-President
- Lorne MathesonTreasurer
- Sheila RankinCorporate Secretary
- Beth Munroe KnockDirector
- Skip HamiltonDirector
- Brent BennettDirector
- Hannah ColemanDirector
- Caitlin BanksDirector
Past Board Members
PIHS gratefully acknowledges the time, service, and contributions of past board members:
- Gary Faryniuk
- Joyce Halasz
- Ron MacDonald
- Janice Faryniuk
- Scott McEwan
Appointed roles
- Joyce HalaszCurator
Honorary Members
Morgan Baillie
Honorary Member, 2023Recognized for two years of student work supporting the Society's formation, establishing Heritage Day displays, developing donation and loan-documentation processes, and helping PIHS build its early structure and operations.
William (Bill) MacMillan
Honorary Member, 2024Recognized for his extensive knowledge of Pictou Island history, his careful assistance in checking historical details, and his ability to connect documented facts with the human stories behind them. Bill was also one of the Society's original directors, appears in the Sutherland Memorial Church community record, and took part in the volunteer restoration of the Pioneer Cemetery.
Paul Logan
Honorary Member, 2025Recognized for early financial support, long-term North Nova Fisheries assistance with LobsterFest, coordination and preparation of donated lobster, transportation help, and decades of support for the island fishery and community.
Kenneth MacCallum
Honorary Member, 2026Recognized for completing the research begun by his father, John Duncan MacCallum, and publishing Pictou Island: Its History and People; for supporting PIHS fundraising through book sales; and for arranging for the Society to receive his copyright and research documentation.
Life Member
Ron MacDonald
Sole Life MemberRon MacDonald's memories preserve first-hand knowledge of island childhood, fishing, farming, winter travel, his mother Margaret MacDonald's nursing service, and the changes that transformed year-round island life. He also led the campaign that helped recover the Pioneer Cemetery and has supported PIHS community history and fundraising.
Society calendar
Next event
New Society dates will be posted here when confirmed.
Past events in 2026
Annual General Meeting
Community Centre · 4:30 p.m. Atlantic time.
George Brothers — Willie Nelson tribute concert
Sutherland Memorial Church · 8 p.m. Atlantic time.
Card Party
PIHS 10-year anniversary celebration and Church Committee Jam Session
Card Party
Work Party
LobsterFest
View all 7 photographs from LobsterFest XVIII
Enlarge & zoomEnlarge & zoomEnlarge & zoomEnlarge & zoomEnlarge & zoomEnlarge & zoomEnlarge & zoomHeritage Day 2024: music and memories
Heritage Day brought together a lighthouse tour, an East End Park lunch, an Iceboat Museum visit and a kitchen party at the church. This video preserves the concluding community musical performance.