Annapolis Valley Has
A Museum For Everyone

So what is your interest? I bet you can find a museum in the Annapolis Valley about it.

There are ones covering agriculture and one on our apple industry. There is even one that shows 300 years of building techniques. Many churches, schools, houses, courthouses, railroad stations, inns and taverns here have been changed over to display and provide interesting information.

In Annapolis Royal you will find a one full of ghost. The information in them covers the Acadians, the United Empire Loyalist and the New England Planters. There are military museums including one on HMCS/CFB Cornwallis, which was the third largest military training base in the British Empire.

There is a railroad station and a fishing boat museum. You can visit North America's first Tidal Power Generating Plant. Or view some of the first personal computers, robots and video games in the first Computer museum of its kind in Canada.

On this page I will list all of the museums in the valley and give you a bit of general information about them. As I visit each of them again I will add more information and a review about them on their own page.

You may get to these indivual museum pages by clicking on the titles that are hypertexted.

K. C. Irving Environmental Centre and Harriet Irving Botanical Gardens are located on the grounds of Acadia University in Wolfville. This center and gardens were built and equipped by Jim, Jack and Arthur Irving in memory of their parents Kenneth Colin & Harriet Lila Irving. It is a place where nature, research and technology come together in a peaceful and productive environment. The Environmental Center studies the natural environment of the Acadia Forest Region. This includes the Maritime Provinces and the east coast of the U.S.A. The Harriet Irving Botanical Gardens occupy more than six acres. It features a large variety of native plants of the Acadia Forest Region. The centre is open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and the gardens are open daily from 7:30 a.m. to sunset (weather permitting). For information call 902 585 5242.

The Randall House is located at 259 Main Street, Wolfville, Nova Scotia next to Willow Park. It is owned and operated by the Wolfville Historical Society. The museum is located in an old Horton farmhouse, (ca. 1810). Inside you will learn about early building construction along with details of the personal and professional lives of some of the local citizens. They also have a research library and a gift shop. There is parking on the site and public washrooms. The 1st floor is wheelchair accessible. The Randall House is open from June 15 – Sept 15, 10:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sundays 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $2.00, Children under 12 and Wolfville Historical Society Members free.

Located between Wolfville and Hantsport on the Bay of Fundy's Minas Basin Blue Beach got it's name from the 350 million year old blue shale cliffs found around it. For years many fossils have been found in the area as the strong currents of the world's highest and fastest tides carve out the cliffs daily. Now the beach is a world class fossil site and the only place where you can find the bodily remains of Tetrapods from the very earliest part of the Carboniferous Period. Other fossils found there include fish, invertebrates and plants. The museum holds exhibits of many of these fossils and offers tours of the area and workshops for those interested in learning more about extracting and identifying, cleaning and preparing these fossils. Call 902 684 9541 before you head out for tour and workshop times. To get to the museum turn off Hwy 101 at exit #8 Hantsport/Mount Denson, turn left to Hantsport, turn right after passing Tourist InfoCenter, proceed through town until you come to a Y, turn right onto Bluff Road, go about 3km to Blue Beach Rd on the right and follow the signs.

During the end of the "Age of Sail" Charles Macdonald traveled the world working as a ship's carpenter. The people he met, and the places he visited had a major impact on this artistic man. When he returned home he established a concrete brick factory and used much of what he had learned to help improve the quality of life for his workers and community. Later this factory became his home and he fashioned every surface lovingly out of cement. The whole property is filled with sculptures, paintings and rugs, (hooked by his wife). The grounds outside boast a concrete sculpture garden full of deer, a mountain lion, giant mushrooms, fanciful figures and furniture. The concrete house is located at 19 Saxon Street, Centreville, on highway 359 to Halls Harbour. It is open daily in season and there is free admission. For more information you may call 902 678 3177.

The Blair House is located on the Kentville Agricultural Centre grounds. The museum was named after the station's first superintendent, Dr. William Saxby Blair. The house was built in 1911 and served as the superintendent's residence until 1979. They opened it to the public on May 29, 1981 during the celebrations of the 50th Apple Blossom Festival. It was created to preserve the history of the valley apple industry and of the research preformed by the Kentville Research Center. Open 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. from late May to the end of August. Phone 678 7365 ext. 278. They host the annual “Rhododendron Sunday” held early June.

The Old Kings Courthouse is located at 37 Cornwallis Street, in the heart of downtown Kentville. The courthouse served as the center of justice and municipal government from 1903 – 1980. Then the court and municipal offices were moved to a new building. The museum is operated by the Kings Historical Society and features the history of Kings County. It emphasises on the Acadians and New England Planters. Also located in the building is the Kings County Genealogy Society that has an extensive genealogical collection. Their summer hours are in July & August - Monday to Saturday from 9.00 am to 4.00 pm. Off season hours from September 1 to mid-December and mid March to June 30 - Monday to Friday 9.00 am to 4.00 pm. Phone 902 678 6237 Admission free, contributions welcome.

This museum is located on the third level of the Annapolis Valley Regional Hospital, 150 Exhibition Street in Kentville. In the early 1950's Dr. J. Earl Hiltz, Medical Superintendent of the Nova Scotia Sanatorium, started to assemble a collection of early hospital documents, artefacts and memorabilia. For years these were displayed in the old Miller Hospital. This collection was added to by Doctors Helen Holden and John Quinlan who also arranged for a permanent home for the display. The display is a memorial to 125 years of medical care and services including the history of the Sanatorium and the Blanchard Fraser Memorial Hospitals. They also cover the ongoing achievements at the Valley Regional Hospital and history of all the health care institutes and their supporting organizations throughout the valley. Their exhibits are changed on a regular basis.

The Prescott House is located at Starr's Point. Turn off of Highway 101 at exit 11 to Port Williams, Kings Co., and then right onto Route #358 (Starr's Point Road); then follow the signs. Charles Ramage Prescott was in the valley apple industry from 1811 to 1859. He introduced the Ribston, Northern Spy, Baldwin, and Gravenstein apples to Nova Scotia. This Georgian architecture house was left to decay after his death until his great-granddaughter, Mary Allison Prescott, renovated it and filled it with antiques. She also added a fine collection of oriental rugs, and a selection of early needlework samplers. She had the grounds landscaped with beautiful gardens. The house is open to the public June 1 - Oct. 15. Hours are Mon.-Sat. 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. & Sundays 1 - 5:30 p.m. They are open for Apple Blossom Festival weekend. Admission: Adult $3.00; Ages 6 to 17 years $2.00; Children (5 and under) Free; Seniors (65 years of age +) $2.00; Family $7.00. Contact numbers are Telephone: (902) 542-3984 [424-7398 Oct. 16 to May 31].

The Canning Heritage Centre is located at 9806 Main Street, Canning. Operated by the Fieldwood Heritage Society this center is home to a library, museum, and the Wilf Carter Center. Wilfred Arthur Charles Carter was born on December 18, 1904 in Port Hilford, close to Canning. He lived in this area until age 19 when he headed to Alberta. There he eventually made it big as a country and western singer. The Canning Heritage Center has many holdings of Wilf Carter along with information from the area. See many pictures and articles about the area, including the restoration and moving of the lighthouse. Contact number 902 582 7699.

The Apple Capital Interpretive Centre is located at 173 Commercial St. Berwick. The Apple Capital Museum Society is dedicated to obtaining and preserving any and all information pertaining to the apple industry in the Annapolis Valley. They have many displays covering the the town of Berwick, it's people and the apple industry. The Tourist Bureau shares the Margeson Building with the Apple Capital Museum Society. The centre is open during the summer months from June to early Sept. The daily hours are from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. everyday.

Muriel's Doll Museum is located at 141 Union Street Berwick, Nova Scotia. The museum is owned and operater by Muriel Corkum and was first opened on August 5, 1992.

When she opened the museum Muriel had a collection of over 3500 dolls, which she has since added to. There are dolls of every description, size and age. For more information call 902 538-8991.

Belle Grant-Fairn started collecting antiques from her family 40 years ago when her former late father-in-law gave her a Little Brown Jug. Now she has collected so much that when her husband and her built a two-car garage at their home in Middleton, they decided to add a second floor so she could display her collection. Most, 95% of her articles were given to her by family members and Belle can tell you stories about each item. Included in her collection is old blacksmith tools; school registers from Lower East Pubnico School dated 1876, 1886 & 1892; some WWII mementoes; and a large 6' tobaggan that was used to take supplies to the Farin Saw Mill in Albany. This is a private museum and charges no admission, but well worth a visit to see and hear the many great stories about each item. She does not keep hours of operation, but welcomes you to give her a call to set up a time. You may reach her at 902 825 6556.

The Greenwood Military Aviation Museum is located on the Ward Road just before the Main Gate to CFB Greenwood. This display covers the formation of the base in 1942, and has information through the Lancaster, Neptune, Argus and Aurora eras. Outside is the memorial garden with the aircrew Memorial Statue.

Their summer hours of operation is June, July & August - 7 days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Winter hours are from Sept to May on Tuesdays to Saturdays 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. They will welcome visitors outside of published hours by appointment only. If you would like to make an appointment you may call them at 902 765 1494, ext 5955 or write them at the Greenwood Military Museum, P.O. Box 786, Greenwood, NS, B0P 1N0. Admission is free but donations are welcome.

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The Annapolis Valley McDonald School House is located at 21 School Street, Middleton, Nova Scotia. The exhibits displayed here in the building are of the first consolidated school in Canada. Sir William C. McDonald founded the McDonald School in 1901. The school operated until 1979 and the building opened as a museum in 1982. Inside you will find a recreated general store and a classroom, an art gallery featuring local artist, a large collection of local artefacts and a collection of 150 different clocks & watches. There is also a very good genealogical and historical research library that covers Annapolis County. Outside there is a greenhouse where you may observe an extensive natural history exhibit. It is operated by the Annapolis Valley Historical Society and is open from June 15 - September 30. Hours are Mon. - Sat: 9 - 5 p.m. Sunday 1 - 5 p.m. From October 1 - June 14 hours are Mon. - Sat: 10:30 - 5 p.m. and closed weekends. There is a small admission charged. Contact number 825 6116

The Memory Lane Railway Museum is located at 61 School St., Middleton and is open year round. Inside you can view hundreds of unique railroad artefacts. The collection includes model railways, railroad implements, antique station paraphernalia, historical books, manuscripts and pictures. Outside are more displays including a trolley railroad, a garden and a picnic area. Admission is free. Hours of operation are Monday to Friday: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. and Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

The Candle In the Window Vintage Museum & Crafters Treasures is located at 12386 Shore Rd. East, Port George, 10 km north of Middleton. This is a great little building owned and operated by Sharon Barteaux in the home of her own ancestors. If you are interested in any of the history of this once busy port or its people than a visit to this museum is a stop for you. The house has a great display of antiques and pictures of the area and Sharon will tell you about each one. For the people searching their family roots there is a genealogy research area. There is also a nice craft store featuring a great selection of local crafts from over 50 local craftspeople. The displays are open from June 1 - September 30, Tuesdays - Sundays from 10 am to 7 pm. If you require any further information you may contact the owner by calling 902 825-6665.

Old Holy Trinity Church is located on Hwy 1 west of Middleton. The church design is an elegant example of colonial Nova Scotia church architecture. It is one of only five Loyalist churches left in Nova Scotia. The first service held in the church was on August 14, 1791. Outside the cemetery is made up of three distinct areas, the old section the newer Memorial Garden Section, and the Commonwealth War Graves section.

The Mount Hanley One Room School is located off Route 1, between Middleton and Lawrencetown, 2130 Mount Hanley Road at the intersection of Brown Road. This school was operated between the years 1850 to 1963. Joshua Slocum, the first man to sail around the world alone, attended this school. Inside you will find the school's one room all set up complete with the original schoolbooks and other antiques. It is operated by a local community group. The admission is free, but donations are accepted. Open by appointment between 9:00 - 11:30 a.m., and 2:00 - 5:00 p.m.

The James House is located at 12 Queen Street, Bridgetown. Richard James built the house in 1835. It is unique with its bay windows and an upstairs gallery. After standing empty for about two years, the house was bought by Mr. Clyde Everett. He donated it to the Bridgetown and Area Historical Society who turned it into a museum in 1979. Inside there are many items of interest from the town including many pictures. There is also a military room sponsored by the Royal Canadian Legion and a tearoom. The society holds several events here during the year including a Victorian Christmas. For more information call 902 665 4530.

The Tupperville One Room School House is located on Hwy 201 between Bridgetown and Annapolis Royal. The community was named after Sir Charles Tupper who was Prime Minister of Canada in 1896. The schoolhouse is over 100 years old and was used from 1869 to 1970, covering grades 1 – 11. In here you will find several interesting items like a century old desk, old books, and a school bell. There are also many pictures of the area and interesting old furniture. Homemade ice cream is served daily and they hold an annual tea. Open 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. June 1 through to Labour day. For more information you may call 902 665 2427.

The North Hills Museum is located at 5065 on the Granville road in Granville Ferry. This house was built in 1764 and bought by Robert P. Patterson in 1964 from the Ambermans. Mr. Patterson collected antiques, many from England, and set them up in this house he named North Hills. In 1974 he donated the house and the antiques to the Nova Scotia Museum. Showcased in the house is 1714 – 1830 porcelain, 1700’s glassware, 1700’s and 1800’s paintings and prints, plus elegantly crafted oak, walnut and mahogany furniture. It also houses an Acadian aboiteau that came from the nearby Melanson Settlement. Today North Hills is operated jointly by the Nova Scotia Museum and the Annapolis Heritage Society. Open from June 1st - October 15th Monday - Saturday 9:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. and Sunday - 1 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. Admission is Adults - $3.00; Seniors - $2.00; Children - $2.00 (children under six admitted free); Family - $7.00. For more information call 902 532 2168.

The O’Dell Inn & Tavern is located at 136 Lower St. George Street, Annapolis Royal. Mr Corey O'Dell, who was a rider for the Pony Express, established a stagecoach inn and tavern here at the head of the old ferry slip. This was the center of the waterfront commerce in Annapolis Royal during the Victorian era. The main floor of the O'Dell Inn is displayed as a Victorian inn and tavern. The AHS Genealogy Center and Archives is also located on this floor. Upstairs are several rooms of interpretive displays, which document the sea faring, and shipbuilding past of Annapolis Royal. Hours of operation: Summer - every day from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. (late May until early September); Winter - every weekday afternoon from 1 until 4 p.m., weather permitting. A call ahead is advised. Admission is Adults: $3.00; Seniors: $2.00; Children: $2.00 (ages 6-17); Families: $7.00. Call (902) 532-7754 for more information.

This building is located at 230 St. George Street in Annapolis Royal and is a National Historic Site. It is one of Canada’s architectural and historic gems. It was actually three buildings that had been joined together. Some parts date back to 1710 making this one of Canada’s oldest surviving wood-framed structures. Operated over most of the years as an Inn and tavern, this building has seen many prominent people and historic events. The first Masonic Lodge in Canada met here in 1738. Featured in the building is over 300 years of construction styles and techniques, from the clay walls of the original Acadian inhabitants to wood paneling of the 1950’s. Also featured down in the basement of the building are ten ghosts, which interact with the visitor through a special technique that makes them seem real. At the touch of a button these ghost will tell you about their memories of the town and this building. For more information call 902 532 0996.

The Tidal Power Project is located on the causeway crossing the Annapolis River in Annapolis Royal. Annapolis Royal is the site of North America’s first and only Tidal Power Plant. This power plant generates up to 30 million kilowatt-hours per year. That is enough electricity for about 4.500 homes. Also located in this building is the Annapolis Visitor Information Center. Information on all the areas attractions is available seven days a week. Public washrooms are also on the ground floor. Up stairs are displayed pictures and information on the tidal power plant and the local area. The visitor Information Centre staff conducts unique “Down Under” tours of the tidal power Plant during weekdays when possible. Interested travelers are taken by elevator below ground to the upper machine room, directly above the turbine. Call 532 5454 for schedule.

This Anglican Church is located up on the hill in Clementsport. It was built in 1795 and was consecrated by Bishop Charles Inglis on September 17, 1797. The timber for the frame and boards were cut down from the same hill. For over thirty years after the church was built, an oil lamp was lifted up into the tower to help guide sailing ships. Today a climb up the tower rewards the visitor with a wonderful view of the basin. This church was one of the earliest museums in Nova Scotia.

HMCS Cornwallis was built during World War II to train the number of seamen needed for the on-going Battle of the Atlantic. During the war years Cornwallis was the largest navel-training base in the British Commonwealth. February 1968 saw the army, navy and air force join together as the Canadian Armed Forces under one uniform. HMCS Cornwallis became CFB Cornwallis and trained recruits from all three branches. Then in 1994 political cutbacks saw the closure of the training base. Civilian companies moved into the old base and what is known today as Cornwallis Park was formed. But not all of the military history from this area is lost as several citizens joined together and started the CFB Cornwallis Military Museum. You can view the full history of this base, the tri-forces and the Merchant Navy through artifacts, documents and tons of pictures. It is located on the former base, midway between Annapolis and Digby on Hwy 1. Enter through the Main gate and follow the signs. The hours of operation are June 19th, July & August Daily 10:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., and in September daily from 1:30 - 5:00 p.m. Admission is Adults - $3.00 each; Children (under 15) - $1.00; Members – free.

The Bear River Heritage Centre is located on Main Street in Bear River. Take exit 24 off the 101 highway and drive the very scenic 5 km drive into Bear River. Turn left at the stop sign. In this building you will find five rooms of displays, artifacts and photo exhibits representing the social, economic, rural and Mic Mac history of the region. Open daily from July to September. For information call 902 467 0902.

The Riverview Ethnographic Museum is located at 18 Chute Road, Bear River. The building contains six rooms full of authentic clothing, textiles, artifacts, books and pictures from over ninety countries. There is also a private collection of antiques from Bear River, Canada and the USA collected over forty years. They also have a costume rental shop here. Admission adult $2.00; children $ .50. Closed Mondays, Open Tuesday - Saturdays 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., closed Sundays and Holidays.

Turn off the 101 onto Hwy 1, either at Joggin Bridge exit 25, or Bear River Bridge exit 24 and drive through Smith's Cove. The Old Temperance Hall is only a short distance from the Harbourview Inn opposite the post office. Learn all about the little Nova Scotia village with over two centuries of history. The displays cover the Mic Mac, household exhibits of the 19th & 20th centuries and religious elements. The Smith’s Cove Historical Society sponsors the museum. Genealogy resources like scrapbooks and cemetery inscriptions are also located here. Open from July 1-September 1 daily 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Admission is free but donations are welcome.

Located in the town of Digby the Admiral Digby Museum houses a vast array of exhibits and research information of Digby and Digby County. It covers information about the Mic Mac and the Loyalist along with the fishing and ship building in the area. Also in the building is an extensive genealogy research center. The staff share their expertise by holding events for the community and conducting presentations on local history in the schools. For more information call 902 245-6322.

The The Lady Vanessa Fisheries Exhibit is located off the boardwalk in Digby by the Fundy Restaurant. Purchase a ticket to board this real 98' fishing vessel that had been built locally at AF Theriault's at Meteghan Nova Scotia. She had fished throughout the Maritimes until 1994 when she was restored, renamed and relocated to Digby. Besides seeing first hand the inside of the boat, you can also learn all about the fishing industry through displays and stories down in the hold area. Watch the 35-minute video showing rare footage of underwater scenes. Purchase tickets from Haynes Gift Shop, admission is $2.00 per person (Children 5 Yrs. and Under FREE). For more information call 1 866 445 4950.

Well there, that should be plenty of museums for the visitor. I told you they would cover a wide range of topics. Did you one that may be of interest to you? Of course there are still more museums that are not in the Annapolis Valley but are still close enough to visit from here. Maybe I can cover them a little later for you. Watch for new information coming up as I visit these places again and give an updated review of them. Until then, there is much more to explore and read about. There is a lot to do while you are here in this beautiful valley, and planning ahead helps save time. Check out the other tourist attractions here.

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