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Halifax - Background - What's Ashore
Halifax, Nova Scotia - Background
Samuel de Champlain landed in 1604 as what was known as :acadie: (Nova Scotia and New Brunswick) among French sailors. He had previously stopped at Chebucto and noted it on his charts as “une baie fort saine (a safe harbor). But Halifax was not founded until the 17th century. Unlike many communities, the city cherishes tradition. The combined roots of its first British and French immigrants are reflected in local temperament and culture. Part of the legacy, the Citadel, which is now a museum and art gallery, dates from 1829.
Historic Properties, the center of the waterfront, is a complex of wooden buildings that dates from the 18th century. The antique structures were once slated for demolition, but at the last minute, a local form recognized their historic importance and purchased them. With government aid, the buildings were restored to their original condition. The investment was sound. The center, a place of cafes, shops and galleries is one of the most successful operations in town. There are several well maintained parks and public gardens in Halifax, as well as plenty of interesting museums. As one might expect, the community, built on the shipping industry, has a fine seafarer’s repository. The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, near Historic Properties, displays a variety of small craft ship models and photographs. The Theodore Tugboat exhibit is popular with children. The storehouse is fascinating. There is a poignant display about the 1917 explosion. The museum’s anchor, weighing more 1000 pounds, was found nearly 2 ½ miles from the epicenter of the explosion.
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