The Admiral Digby Museum

Old Postcard of Water Street, Digby NS 1944

Located in the town of Digby the Admiral Digby Museum houses a vast array of exhibits and research information of Digby and Digby County.

Digby was named after Admiral Sir Robert Digby who was the commander of the HMS Atlanta which landed here in 1783 from New York. On the ship were 1500 United Empire Loyalist who came here looking for a new place to settle. The new settlers liked what they saw here and set out to build their new colony.

Digby soon grew to be an important fishing and lumber center, later becoming home to the World Famous Digby Scallop Fleet.

Today besides the scallop fleet, Digby has also become famous as a great place to visit for a vacation or for the whole summer. There is just something about this quaint little fishing town that is so pleasing that people just want to return year after year.

The building which houses the museum is one of the oldest structures in Digby having been built in the mid 1800s. It is a Georgian style house and was named after Rear Admiral Robert Digby. Some of the walls are still the original lath and horsehair plaster. You may notice how short the people were by the low doorways.

This was the former location of the Admiral Digby Library during the 1970s which was operated by the Admiral Digby Library Association. Later the name was changed to the Admiral Digby Library & Historical Society which is who runs the museum.

The museum is full of different displays telling of the history of Digby and the surrounding area. You will find a Marine Room, a Costume Room and a Loyalist Room. There are also rooms set up in period furnishings and artifacts. A few of the most interesting items found in the museum is the 1870's organ, a 1909 Edison Phonograph and a 1890's handcrafted grandfather clock

The museum is also home to their archives and genealogy centre offering lots of information about the town and it's residents. It is a great place to go to look for your families history in Digby, Nova Scotia.

The staff at the museum is more than willing to share their knowledge and expertise and will gladly help you with any questions you have. They really get involved in their town by holding events for the community and conducting presentations on local history in the schools.

The Admiral Digby Museum is located at 95 Montague Row in Digby, NS. As you are driving into Digby on Highway 303 drive straight past the turnoff to the Digby Ferry and continue on past the hospital until you reach the waterfront. Here the road will turn to the left and you will be on Montague Row, the museum is just down on your left.

For more information on the museum or their genealogy centre you may phone (902) 245 6322 or visit the Admiral Digby Museum website.

Leave The Admiral Digby Museum and return to see other Annapolis Valley Museums