Thread: 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.

The world was reminded of Halifax and its maritime heritage again a few years ago with the release of a popular motion picture. The port was a key operations base in the recovery of the tragic HMS Titanic. Three city cemeteries were used to bury the victims. Fairview, where more than 100 passengers are buried, is a popular local attraction. Rows of granite headstones are inscribed with the same haunting date - April 15, 1912.

Halifax, Nova Scotia - What’s Ashore

Pier 21 is known as Canada’s Ellis Island. This historic site at the Cruise Pavilion is the nation’s only remaining immigration shed. Nearly one million people arrived at the pier between 1928 and 1971 - perhaps trembling with fright at the unknown trials they might face. As they exited the pier into Halifax, the confident new arrivals became part of Canada’s diverse national fabric. The site was later used in humanitarian work. More than 500,000 Canadian troops departed from the pier to join the Allied effort in WWII. Relics and multimedia presentations help explain the story at the National Monument.

The Citadel: the path leading to here is easy to find. Just look for the looming Georgian style clock tower on George Street and follow the walkway adjacent to it. The fortress was reconstructed in 1856 as it had been several times prior to that year. The original was erected in 1749. It was built into the hill to protect it from heavy artillery but the thick walls collapsed regularly in spring thaws supplying builders with steady seasonal repair work.

The Brewery market is located on Lower Water Street which recreates Alexander Keith’s successful 19th century operation in a unique manner. Brewery workers in period costumes greet visitors and show them the careful process of beer making, 19th century style. Keith Hall just past the brewery, was Alexander Keith’s 1863 residence.

Province House is the seat of the Nova Scotia government and is an excellent example of Georgian style architecture. Guided tours allow visitors to admire the elegant furnishings. Queen Caroline’s portrait hangs next to a matching canvas of George I, her father-in-law, not her husband George II as would be proper and fitting.

Art Gallery of Nova Scotia
The province’s main art collection is unusual and offers visitors a look at works by Canadian artists. The sections on children’s and folk art are also quite interesting as is the Victorian building in which the muesum is housed. The foundation recently purchased the former home of native daughter painter Maude Lewis. The small cottage is used as a gallery to showcase her work. The museum opens daily until 5 PM.

Fairview cemetery
Three cemeteries were selected as final resting places for passengers from the Titanic. Fairview cemetery, where more than 100 victims are buried has been Halifax’s biggest tourist attraction in recent years. The port was a key operation and three local ships were dispatched to the Atlantic site to assist in the dour recovery effort. Rows of plain granite headstones, each inscribed with the same haunting date, April 15, 1912, recall the disaster. Love-struck teen girls flock to the tomb of J Dawson, who was a real crew member, but is not the fictional Jack Dawson from the film, and certainly has nothing to do with heart throb Leonardo Dicaprio.

Maritime Museum of the Atlantic
Halifax is one of North America’s most important ports. It has often been called to service in military and civilian marine operations. The meseum was established to preserve the city’s proud, though mostly tragic, nautical history. A poignant display recalls the Titanic tragedy, and includes many personal effects that were found floating above the sunken ship.

Peggy’s Cove
It is a 45 minute drive from Halifax to the quaint resort-village of Peggy’s Cove which was established at the beginning of the 19th century. It is a picture perfect community with its lone lighthouse as the main visual attraction. Artists often try to capture its elusive and plaintive beauty. (We visited Peggy’s Cove a few years - really beautiful. At that time the tour also included lobster lunch and a visit to Fairview Cemetery. These are all separate tours now.)

Originally Posted by Krazy Kruizers

Maritime Museum of the Atlantic
Halifax is one of North America’s most important ports. It has often been called to service in military and civilian marine operations. The meseum was established to preserve the city’s proud, though mostly tragic, nautical history. A poignant display recalls the Titanic tragedy, and includes many personal effects that were found floating above the sunken ship.

Peggy’s Cove
It is a 45 minute drive from Halifax to the quaint resort-village of Peggy’s Cove which was established at the beginning of the 19th century. It is a picture perfect community with its lone lighthouse as the main visual attraction. Artists often try to capture its elusive and plaintive beauty. (We visited Peggy’s Cove a few years - really beautiful. At that time the tour also included lobster lunch and a visit to Fairview Cemetery. These are all separate tours now.)

Is it possible to see all of these places in a port day?

Originally Posted by Texas_firefighter

Is it possible to see all of these places in a port day?

Unllikely. The drive to Peggy's Cove will take at least an hour and a half return, if you don't hit any heavy traffic. You'll want to spend some time there too, and the memorial to the Swiss Air crash victims is just up the road from there. Count on at least a half day just for that area.

We are heading there this year in July.

Saw Halifax several times.

We did the Maritime Museum the last time,
previously Cunard Tour and before last
Around Halifax.

We are thinking about Peggy's Cove and Maybe a Lobster Lunch.

What decisions?