Maritime Museum of the Atlantic -
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Over 30,000 artifacts on display in the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic
Immerse yourself in the rich marine history illustrated by this museum's large collection from binnacles and buoys to anchors and armaments. The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic is a maritime museum located in downtown Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. The museum is a member organization of the Nova Scotia Museum and is the earliest and largest maritime museum in Canada with a collection of over 30,000 artifacts consisting of 70 little craft and a steamship: the CSS Acadia, a 180-foot steam-powered hydrographic study ship introduced in 1913.
The museum was among the very first tourist attractions to open on the redeveloped Halifax Waterfront. Its place supplies the museum with several piers and boatsheds, as well as a tactical view of the Halifax Harbour looking seaward towards the Harbourmaster office and Georges Island and throughout to Dartmouth. Amongst its centers is the restored 1880s Robertson Store ship chandler structure, along with modern-day exhibit galleries in the Devonian Wing (the modern-day museum building). HMCS Sackville, a World War II Flower-class corvette is docked adjacent to the museum in the summer months however is not owned or administered by the museum.
The museum was founded in 1948. It was first referred to as the Maritime Museum of Canada and situated at HMC Dockyard, the marine base on Halifax Harbour. Numerous marine officers served as volunteer chairs of the museum until 1959 when Niels Jannasch was employed as the museum's founding director, serving until 1985. The museum moved through a number of places over the next 3 years before its existing building was built in 1981 as part of a waterfront redevelopment program. The museum got the CSS Acadia in 1982. Today the museum is part of the Nova Scotia Museum system.
In addition to the over 30,000 artifacts, the museum likewise has a collection of 30,000 pictures as well as a big collection of charts and rare books. A reference library, open up to the general public, is named after the Museum's founding director, The Niels Jannasch Library. The museum has Canada's largest collection of ship portraits consisting of the earliest ship portrait in Canada in addition to a large collection of ship models consisting of the initial production models of the television show Theodore Tugboat. Ongoing restoration of Whim, a 1937 C-class sloop can be discovered in among the boatsheds on the wharf behind the museum. In addition to this existing repair project, the boatsheds house some of the museum's little craft collection. Throughout the summer months three boats in the working little craft collection can be discovered moored next to the CSS Acadia. In July 2017 the museum likewise completed remediation of the little schooner Hebridee II.
If you’re planning a trip to the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, there are a few resources that can help you make the most of your visit. The Nova Scotia Visitor Information Centre is a great place to start. They have six locations throughout the province, including one in Halifax, where you can drop in for information on Nova Scotia’s travel experiences. Their friendly and knowledgeable travel counsellors and tourism ambassadors can help you plan your trip and make the most of your time in Halifax.
Another useful resource is the Tourism Nova Scotia website. Here you can find information on visitor centres, travel guides, and top attractions and experiences throughout the province.