Sydney in Cape Breton Region, Nova Scotia — The Atlantic Provinces (North America)

Sydney's Heritage Conservation District

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 20, 2019

1. Sydney's Heritage Conservation District Marker

Inscription. Come and explore the Colonial Town of Old Sydney. Few cities in North America can boast eight buildings erected between 1785 and 1802 within a two-block radius. In season, we invite you to visit these historic buildings:

St. Patrick's Church Museum — 1828
Originally built as a Roman Catholic Church, the Church stands on the original site of an early wooden chapel built by Capt. John Butler Wilson in 1805. It now serves as a museum, displaying artifacts from early Sydney and area. Site of an old burial ground.

Cossit House — 1785
The oldest house in Sydney stands much as it did when the colony's Anglican garrison chaplain, Reverend Ranna Cossit, built it in 1785. It has since been restored with authentic eighteenth-century furniture and is interpreted by costumed guides.

Jost House —1787
Once the home of a prominent merchant and ship owner, Jost House shows the evolution of a wooden dwelling over two centuries. It now hosts a unique marine display, apothecary and special collections.

Lyceum — 1904
Built by the Roman Catholic diocese as an Opera House, the building is now home to the Cape Breton Centre for Heritage and Science. Enjoy local and visiting exhibitions, museum shop and the Cape Breton Centre for Craft & Design.

Topics. This historical marker

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is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Churches & Religion • Colonial Era • Settlements & Settlers.

Location. 46° 8.432′ N, 60° 11.775′ W. Marker is in Sydney, Nova Scotia, in Cape Breton Region. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Esplanade and Dorchester Street, on the right when traveling north. Marker is located along the walkway in DesBarres Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 197 Esplanade, Sydney NS B1P 5Y8, Canada. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. J.F.W. DesBarres (here, next to this marker); Canadian Merchant Navy (about 180 meters away, measured in a direct line); St. George's Church (about 210 meters away); Royal Bank Lion (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Joseph Frederick Wallet DesBarres (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Sir John George Bourinot (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Cossit House (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); "Northern Friends" (approx. 0.4 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sydney.

Also see . . . Sydney Heritage Conservation District. The Cape Breton Regional

Marker detail: St. Patrick's Church Museum — 1828<br>87 Esplande image. Click for full size.

2. Marker detail: St. Patrick's Church Museum — 1828
87 Esplande

Originally built as a Roman Catholic Church, the Church stands on the original site of an early wooden chapel built by Capt. John Butler Wilson in 1805. It now serves as a museum, displaying artifacts from early Sydney and area. Site of an old burial ground.

Municipality began the planning for the district’s designation in 2004, eyeing a seven-block area featuring nearly 100 buildings that date back more than a century. Eight buildings in the district were built between 1785 and 1802. (Submitted on April 19, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Marker detail: Cossit House — 1785<br>75 Charlotte Street image. Click for full size.

3. Marker detail: Cossit House — 1785
75 Charlotte Street

The oldest house in Sydney stands much as it did when the colony's Anglican garrison chaplain, Reverend Ranna Cossit, built it in 1785. It has since been restored with authentic eighteenth-century furniture and is interpreted by costumed guides.

Marker detail: Jost House —1787<br>54 Charlotte Street image. Click for full size.

4. Marker detail: Jost House —1787
54 Charlotte Street

Once the home of a prominent merchant and ship owner, Jost House shows the evolution of a wooden dwelling over two centuries. It now hosts a unique marine display, apothecary and special collections.

Marker detail: Lyceum — 1904<br>225 George Street image. Click for full size.

5. Marker detail: Lyceum — 1904
225 George Street

Built by the Roman Catholic diocese as an Opera House, the building is now home to the Cape Breton Centre for Heritage and Science. Enjoy local and visiting exhibitions, museum shop and the Cape Breton Centre for Craft & Design.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 20, 2019

6. Sydney's Heritage Conservation District Marker

St. Patrick's Church Museum — 1828 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 20, 2019

7. St. Patrick's Church Museum — 1828

Cossit House — 1785 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 20, 2019

8. Cossit House — 1785

Jost House —1787 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 20, 2019

9. Jost House —1787

Credits. This page was last revised on August 12, 2021. It was originally submitted on April 15, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 134 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on April 19, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.