Live the history, discover the fun at Nova Scotia's Museums

You can explore the fascinating cultural and natural history of Nova Scotia, Canada's seacoast. You can experience Nova Scotia's rich heritage, diverse people, and captivating stories at museums across the province, where history comes to life!

The Nova Scotia Museum family of 26 sites offers unique experiences for all interests. Meet the people of Nova Scotia and share their dreams.Imagine challenges faced by the first settlers, and experience adventures in agriculture at Ross Farm Museum, where you can meet rare, heritage breed farm animals and capture the flavour of country life on a genuine 1800s farm. Experience life in authentic turn-of-the-century Sherbrooke Village, where costumed interpreters keep stories of the original villagers alive.

Stop by the blacksmith's, the wood turner's, and the boat builder's shop,
or sit for your 19th-century portrait in the Ambrotype studio. Learn a
Gaelic phrase and experience more than 100 years of Gaelic-speaking Scottish heritage in Nova Scotia at the Highland Village living history museum. At the Museum of Industry hear inspiring stories of Nova Scotia's working past.

Uncover their work and ways yourself - beat the clock on the miniature
assembly line, set the type to print your own souvenir, or talk to a miner's wife, whose husband mined the richest and most dangerous coal seam in the world.

See the first gasoline powered auto built in the Maritimes, try your hand
at a traditional craft and explore the museum that reflects the fabric of
the people of Nova Scotia. Their experiences shaped the province to what it is today.

Natural wonders explained.... A museum visit is naturally the place to
start your discovery of Nova Scotia's natural wonders. At the Museum of Natural History, downtown Halifax's "building with the frog on it", see the stars of the sea in the shore-life aquarium, observe live creatures in the Nature Centre, take in a public talk or visit the summer Butterfly House.

On the Bay of Fundy, join an expert from Fundy Geological Museum in search of fossils and semi-precious stones. Experience the towering red cliffs at Wasson Bluff, internationally famous for some of the world's oldest and smallest dinosaur fossils. Explore the trails winding around many of the historic homes, situated in scenic landscapes untouched for a century and a half.

Lots to see and do indoors and outdoors... Hit the trails at several
museum sites! Take your pick of seven, year-round woodland walking trails surrounding a grand country home at Uniacke Estate Museum Park.

While exploring the 1874 working Balmoral Grist Mill, touch, see and taste the mill's fresh ground flour. Then, stroll along the beautiful gorge and relax for a picnic in a mature, mixed-forest setting.

At Sutherland Steam Mill Museum, sense the power of steam, see fancy gingerbread trim, and uncover the multi-purposed copper bathtub.
Seafaring stories.... Their close connection to the sea brings both
triumph and tragedy to Nova Scotians. Learn of fortunes made by the builder of the largest wooden ship in Canada at Lawrence House Museum.

In Halifax, explore the Small Craft Gallery and the Titanic exhibit, hear
the stories of WWII and the Halifax Explosion at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. Step onboard a vessel at Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic to learn about the only "whistler" allowed on a ship, and other sea superstitions.

At the Dory Shop Museum, learn how the fishing industry was
revolutionized. Unique artifacts come to life.... Try your hand at weaving an eelpot or hooking a rug mat at Fisherman's Life Museum, where you can imagine daily life in a one story home with mom, dad and 13 sisters!

See the first piece of Nova Scotia tartan at Barrington Woolen Mill, a
1800s riverside mill with an ocean view.

Marvel at the amazing antiques and precious porcelain on display at North Hills Museum. Be captivated by the charm of centuries past at historic homes such as Prescott House Museum, home to the pioneer of the Nova Scotian apple industry,Visit Cossit House, the oldest home in Sydney, or Haliburton House Museum, where Judge Thomas Chandler Haliburton wrote his famous "Sam Slick" stories and popularized phrases like "it's raining cats and dogs." Venture on the
museum grounds to test your skill at playing games from the 1800s, like
hoops, graces or wooden stilts.

Read into Nova Scotia... Want to learn more about the cultural and natural history of Nova Scotia? Then read into it! The Nova Scotia Museum offers a wide variety of publications for all ages and interests. Learn about the province before you travel, or get a guide to take with you on the road.

Are you curious about Nova Scotia's events and programs? Find out about museum activities in the latest Museum Events Guide. Call 1-800-632 1114 for details on museum sites, activities and publications. They promise to capture your interests and captive you! Nova Scotia has a lot to offer the camping family - maybe this is the
year!

Courtesy Nova Scotia Travel

Back to Index