Joseph M. A. Ballard is the author of Historic House Names of Nova Scotia and Fairy Dells and Rustic Bowers. Ballard has served as a director with the Genealogical Association of Nova Scotia (president), Heritage Trust of Nova Scotia (president), Colchester Historical Society (president), Maritime Institute for Civil Society (VP of Market Development), Town of Truro Heritage Advisory Committee (chair), and a number of other heritage organizations.