Old Temperance Hall Museum

Old Postcard Showing Old Road in Smith's Cove, NS

The Old Temperance Hall Museum is located in Smith's Cove, Nova Scotia.

Smith's Cove is a well known summer retreat which sees a vast population increase every summer. For years people who live in other parts of North America and the world come to spend there summer months in this beautiful, tranquil little village.

The village is located on the shores of the Annapolis Basin which provide many spectacular sights and views. The Smiths Cove Look off provides a glorious view of the Annapolis Basin and Bear River. Smith's Cove is also close to both historic Annapolis Royal and Digby, home to the World Famous Scallop Fleet.

Smith's Cove was settled in 1759. It was at one time known as Seegeeguneegunk, which means "place of canvas tents" by the local Mi'kmaq.

One of the area's earliest settlers, Joseph Potter, Jr. exchanged land grants with a United Empire Loyalist named Joseph Smith in 1783. It was from Joseph Smith the village received it's name. He settled on the southwest side of the point of land where the Harbourview Inn is now located.

In 1858 a local resident, John Austin was the first person to smoke finnan haddie commercially in Canada. In the 1880's he opened a factory where he sold finnan haddie, smoked herring and apples. This was one of the very few factories in this area; it has always been more of a tourist destination.

Many of the summer residents feel a strong attachment to this area and support the locals in such things as trying to preserve it's history. After all most of them have been coming here all their life as did their parents and grandparents.

One area the whole population got together with was the preservation of the Old Temperance Hall. This, the "Old Meeting House" had been built around 1834 and held much historical value to the village.

They formed a Historical Society which succeeded in acquiring the Old Temperance Hall, then they restored the building and turned it into the Old Temperance Hall Museum where they may show off historic artifacts from the area.

Today you will find many artifacts from the Smith's Cove area plus numerous old photographs of the buildings, resorts and citizens located in the museum. The displays cover the Mi’kmaq, household exhibits of the 19th & 20th centuries and religious elements. There are also genealogical records like scrapbooks and cemetery inscriptions as well as other records of the local residents kept there. The museum is a great place to visit to learn about the history of Smith's Cove and it's residents.

The Smith's Cove Historical Society has also preserved the old Presbyterian/United Church which like the Temperance Hall is an icon to Smith's Cove.

To find the Old Temperance Hall Museum 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.

the museum is open from July 1 to September 1 daily. Admission is free however donations are welcome.

Leave The Old Temperance Hall Museum and return to see other Annapolis Valley Museums