Heritage home of early 20th century socialist and artist Charles Macdonald!
Join us for a field trip to the Charles Macdonald Concrete House Museum. Labour folklorist Emma Lang (guide of our popular Working Class Heritage Tours) will share some of the labour history of the places we’ll be driving through on the way!
Charles Macdonald (1874-1967)
Charles Macdonald was born in Nova Scotia and as a young man travelled the world working as a ship’s carpenter. He lived in Vancouver from 1908-1910 where he joined the fledgling Socialist Party of Canada. Returning to the Annapolis Valley in 1912, he created the now celebrated Concrete House in Centreville. The building was first used as a small cooperative factory for the North Mountain Railroad, and then as a home, where he lived with his wife Mabel for forty years. Macdonald operated his concrete company as a socialist experiment and also helped create the Centreville Socialists with Roscoe A. Fillmore, Frank Parry and Jim Sim. His artwork, sculptures, paintings, and rugs hooked by Mabel are all still on display in their Concrete House. Today MacDonald is remembered as a folk artist and builder who transformed everyday materials into sculptural spaces and vibrant murals.
Concrete House Museum
Known as a whimsical landmark in Centreville where art, community, and imagination come together, this one-of-a-kind building was hand-crafted by Nova Scotia folk artist and builder Charles Macdonald. The factory-turned-home showcases his creativity and experimentation with concrete as an affordable and versatile material, explorations which were rooted in his socialist beliefs. Visitors explore a living gallery filled with history, creativity, and surprising details around every corner. From its playful architecture to its connection with local makers, the Concrete House invites visitors of all ages to slow down, look closely, and be inspired.
Bus Tour
As we make our way from Halifax to Centerville, folklorist Emma Lang will set the scene of our visit by sharing information on how labour has shaped the landscape we pass through, from canals to railroads to highways and from small farms to industrial agriculture.
Itinerary
9:00 AM – Departure from Halifax Public Gardens (Spring Garden Rd) via Coach Atlantic Bus
11:00 AM – Arrival at the Charles Macdonald Concrete House Museum in Centreville, NS
12:30 PM – Departure from Centreville, NS
1:00 PM – Stop for lunch (location TBD, meal not included in ticket price)
3:30 PM – Arrival in Halifax (time is approximate)
Tickets
Tickets are available on a sliding scale from $15 to $25. Please consider offering within your means to support the work we do. The ticket includes the guided bus trip and tour of the museum, but does not include the cost of a meal on the return stop. Seating is limited, reserve early!
Accessibility
The museum and gallery are wheelchair accessible. Parking is available from Saxon St. The second floor is not open to the public. Service animals are welcome. The museum has a single bathroom only, which is not wheelchair accessible. A stop to a nearby gas station will be made prior to arrival for bathroom usage.
