Quaker Whaler House

The Quaker Whaler House is the oldest building in Dartmouth, built in 1785 with an asymmetrical front and solid stone foundation. The structure shows traditional building methods and materials used by the early settlers who came to this area.

William Ray, a craftsman from Nantucket, built the house during the migration of Quaker whalers to Nova Scotia following the American Revolution. The arrival of this community marked the beginning of a new chapter in the area's development.

The house shows architectural features brought by Quaker whalers from Nantucket Island, who settled in this area during the late 1700s. You can see this building style reflected in the asymmetrical front and the way the structure is organized.

The building is open as a museum on certain days of the week and offers guided tours where you can explore the rooms. It is helpful to check the opening hours ahead of time and allow time for a leisurely walk through the different floors and spaces.

The house has a surprising connection to a world-known novel: a local whaler's grandson recruited Herman Melville as a crew member for whaling expeditions. This link weaves a thread between this small settlement and famous maritime literature.