Write to Help Protect Former Home & Clinic of Dr. Clement Ligoure—5812-14 North Street

On January 24th HRM Mayor and Council will decide if they will support FHC’s 2022 Heritage Designation Application and help protect the former home and clinic of Dr. Clement Ligoure at 5812-14 North Street by giving it heritage designation.

Please write to help protect this important building as a legacy to Nova Scotia’s first black doctor, co-founder of Canada’s first all black military battalion and editor of Nova Scotia’s first black newspaper.  A draft letter, email addresses and details on Dr. Ligoure are below:
While the Queen Anne Style building is significant for its architecture it is most important as the former home and clinic of the remarkable Dr. Ligoure. It is at risk of demolition for redevelopment — the entire block is owned by a large developer. It is also at risk because of HRM’s plan to widen Robie Street and its Robie Street Transportation Corridor Reserve.

Dr. Clement Ligoure led the way in many significant ‘firsts’ for Nova Scotia and Canada. He was the first African Nova Scotia medical doctor. Ligoure’s private Amanda clinic was the base for his heroic response to the Halifax Explosion in treating hundreds of injured each day. Dr Ligoure was  co-founder of the No. 2 Construction Battalion, Canada’s first all black military unit. And Dr. Ligoure was also an editor of Nova Scotia’s first black newspaper, the Atlantic Advocate.

Please write to ask that the HRM Council support the FHC application for Heritage Designation. Letters from Dr. Afu Cooper, Dr George Elliot Clarke, Dr. El Jones, Dr Lyn Jones, Floyd Kane and Sharon Ross have been sent – help strengthen their voices. There’s a draft letter below along with email to Councillors that you can copy and paste. There is also more information about Dr Ligoure below.

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Dear Mayor Savage and HRM Councillors
 
Case H00541: Dr. Clement Ligoure Heritage Designation Application 5812-14 North Street
 
Please support the motion to give heritage designation to the former home and clinic of Dr Clement Ligoure. This building is significant for its architectural style but even more so because of its social and cultural value from its association with Dr Clement Ligoure. 
 
Dr Ligoure was a remarkable human and a community leader. He led the way in many significant ‘firsts’ for Nova Scotia and Canada. He was the first African Nova Scotia medical doctor. Dr Ligoure’s private Amanda clinic at this location was his base for the heroic efforts he made in response to the Halifax Explosion to treat hundreds of injured in the city. Dr Ligoure was a co-founder of the No. 2 Construction Battalion, Canada’s first all black military and an editor of Nova Scotia’s first black newspaper, the Atlantic Advocate.
 
We are disappointed that HRM continues to permit demolitions of buildings that are so significant to the character, history, culture and community of Halifax. This is a unique opportunity to acknowledge the significant contribution of Dr. Ligoure to our city by supporting the motion for Heritage designation of the building.
 
Best wishes
(Name)
(Area)
(Phone number)
 
 
More information on Dr Ligoure’s contributions: