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The Center for the Study of Democratic Institutions was founded in 1959 by Robert Maynard Hutchins, former president of the University of Chicago. It grew out of the Basic Issues program of the Fund for the Republic, an organization dedicated to the support of church, educational, and social service groups that fought against the abuse of American civil liberties. The Center was conceived as a place for interdisciplinary discourse, where intellectuals could gather to discuss issues confronting the United States and the world. Over the course of the Center's twenty-eight-year existence, twenty-five Senior Fellows and a revolving series of visiting fellows held daily discussions called Dialogues. The Center's activities were recorded in two publications, Center Magazine and Center Report.

Elisabeth Mann Borgese was one of the Center's senior fellows and also the only woman. The Center struggled with financial problems and political harmony for much of its existence. Internal disputes among the staff led to reorganization in 1969. Hutchins remained the central figure guiding the Center throughout its existence. His one attempt to retire in 1973 was unsuccessful when his successor, Malcolm Moos, was not accepted by the Senior Fellows or the Board of Directors of the Fund for the Republic. After Hutchins' death in 1977, the Center was again reorganized and became associated with the University of California, Santa Barbara, and the Fund for the Republic was dissolved. Even this change did not solve the Center's financial and political problems, and after a series of short-term directors, the Center was closed permanently in 1987.

Chebucto Community Net is Eastern Canada's oldest running independent Internet Service Provider, which continues to run as a non-profit, community-run ISP dedicated to providing public access to the tools of communication. Originally called the Chebucto FreeNet, and operating on a Sparc 2 loaned by Dalhousie University, it began operating as a text-based host in late October 1993; on 16 June 1994, the name was changed to Chebucto Community Net (CCN).

On 7 June 2013 CNN completed the first phase of its Manors Project, a plan to provide high-speed wireless Internet access to public-run, low-income seniors housing. Joseph Howe Manor and H.P. MacKeen Manor were the first examples of non-profit home high-speed Internet access in Eastern Canada and the first multi-dwelling residences in the Maritimes with full wifi access.

In addition to its wireless service, CCN provides affordable dialup Internet access and supports free, text-based terminal Internet access. It provides low-cost or free communication tools and a home for the websites of dozens of community groups, information resources, neighbourhood organizations and small businesses.

Chebucto Community Net is run entirely by volunteers, including a volunteer board of directors, with the support of community partners including Dalhousie University Department of Mathematics and Statistics; Dalhousie Computing and Information Services; Halifax Regional Library; Nova Scotia Department of Technology & Science Secretariat; Human Resources and Development Canada; and Industry Canada.

The Chebucto Symphony Orchestra was first established in 1975 with a grant provided by the Department of Recreation of the Province of Nova Scotia. In September 1979, the Orchestra gained the support of the Department of Continuing Education of the Dartmouth Schools. The Orchestra is also a member of the Association of Canadian Orchestras.

The Chebucto Symphony Orchestra was formed to provide a platform for career music teachers, advanced music students, experienced amateurs and ex-career musicians to practice and perform music with a full orchestra. The Orchestra brings high level classical music to a range of local and provincial audiences by hosting public performances and events. All players must demonstrate their ability to meet playing requirements before performing with the Orchestra. As a community orchestra the Chebucto Symphony Orchestra has significant participant turnover. Over two hundred community players have participated in the Orchestra since its inception in 1997. Members of the Atlantic Symphony Orchestra have also participated in Chebucto Symphony Orchestra performances to fill gaps in instrumentation.

Chester Hotels Limited was a small hotel company incorporated in Nova Scotia on June 1, 1959. Victor DeBedia Oland was President of the company, Bruce S.C. Oland was Vice-President, and Don J. Oland was Secretary-Treasurer. Gordon Cowan also acted as interim President of the company. The company was formed to purchase Bryans' Villa Inn in Chester from William F. Bryans. The Inn was renamed the Sword and Anchor Inn and Forbes Thrasher, a well-known hotelier, was appointed manager. The company also ran and maintained the Sheet Anchor House, a separate lodging across the street from the Sword and Anchor Inn.

Forbes Thrasher resigned as manager in December, 1962 and became President of the Innkeepers Guild of Nova Scotia in 1963. Hugh Parker became general manager of the Inn in March, 1963 and various other managers were appointed over the years. The company experienced numerous financial hardships, often operating at a loss. In 1974, the Sword and Anchor Inn was sold to R. David Neima, President of Piper Advertising Company in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.

Chester Hotels Limited was a wholly owned subsidiary of Keith Hall Investments, a real estate and property management company that was wholly owned by Lindwood Holdings Limited.

Chester Playhouse has been a home to the performing arts since it was built in 1938 in Chester, Nova Scotia, by Ken Corkum and Eric Redden. Its first tenant, the Keneric Theatre, operated for thirty years as a cinema, and the building was first used for live performances in 1963, when the Chester Jesters began the first of five summer seasons.

The building was purchased and renovated in the 1970s by Leo and Dora Velleman, who renamed it the Leading Wind Theatre as a home for Canadian Puppet Festivals (CPF). Managed by a board of directors, CPF was a non-profit organization that hosted workshops and puppet productions including The Pirates of Penzance and The Mikado. After the Vellemans retired in 1983 CPF merged with Mermaid Theatre.

Chester Theatre Council (CTC) was founded in 1984 to preserve the Leading Wind Theatre. CTC originally sponsored touring productions, but in 1987 leased the building as a venue for the first Chester Theatre Festival. That same year, Christopher Ondaatje purchased the theatre and leased it to the council and the name was changed to Chester Playhouse. The Ondaatje family donated the playhouse to the CTC in 1992 and in 1993 the theatre underwent an extensive renovation. In 1999 fundraising for a second wave of improvements began. These renovations were completed in two phases, which resulted in new dressing rooms, workshop space, green room and lobby, and an updated electrical system.

The Chester Playhouse is owned and operated by a volunteer board of directors, drawn from the community, who provide strategic leadership to guide the direction of the theatre. The theatre is managed by the Chester Playhouse Society, which is mandated to source, present and promote live theatre, music performance, film and other cultural experiences, and educational and participatory opportunities for youth and adults. To support this, the society seeks to sustainably equip, operate and maintain the Chester Playhouse and has hosted both touring companies and other performers; provided a venue for local performing arts groups, including the Chester Drama Society, the Chester Ballet School, and the Chester Brass Band; hosted workshops for all ages; established the Chester Theatre School program and the Chester Theatre Festival; and allowed the space to be used for local meetings.