Naval Museum of Halifax facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Naval Museum of Halifax

Established	1974
Location	2725 Gottingen Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Type	Naval museum

The Naval Museum of Halifax is a cool place to learn about Canada's navy. It's located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, at a place called CFB Halifax. This museum used to be known as Admiralty House. It was once the home of the top British naval commander in North America from 1819 to 1905. Today, the museum collects and shows off items that tell the story of the Royal Canadian Navy.

Admiralty House: A Historic Home

Admiralty House in Halifax

Admiralty House was the fancy summer home for the admiral in charge of the British Royal Navy in North America. This was from 1819 to 1905. Building this big, beautiful house started in 1814. It looks out over the Halifax Naval Yard. Before this house was built, the commanders lived on their ships!

The house was finished in 1819. The first admiral to live there was Admiral David Milne. During the winter, the navy's main base moved to Bermuda. There was another Admiralty House there too.

Admiral David Milne, the first admiral to live in Admiralty House

Admiralty House was a very important place in Halifax. Many big parties and events happened there in the 1800s. For example, in 1848, Admiral Thomas Cochrane hosted a huge ball for 600 guests! He was a famous admiral who inspired characters like Horatio Hornblower and Jack Aubrey in books. Another well-known person who lived there was Admiral Francis Austen, who was the brother of the famous writer Jane Austen. In total, 36 admirals called this house home.

In 1905, the Canadian government took over Admiralty House. This happened when Canada became responsible for the Halifax Dockyard. During World War I, the house was used as a naval hospital. On December 6, 1917, the roof was damaged by the Halifax Explosion. Even with the damage, the hospital staff, many of whom were hurt themselves, helped many injured people right after the explosion. After repairs, the house became a clinic to help explosion survivors. From 1925 to 1954, it was part of the Royal Canadian Navy base HMCS Stadacona. It was used as an officers' mess and later for offices. In 1961, it became the library for the navy and had classrooms.

Famous Admirals Who Lived Here

Many important admirals lived at Admiralty House between 1819 and 1905. Some of them were involved in major historical events. For example, some admirals who lived here fought in the War of 1812. Others were part of the Siege of Sevastopol (1854–55) during the Crimean War. One admiral, John Edmund Commerell, even won the Victoria Cross for his bravery during the Siege of Sevastopol!

Two admirals who lived in the house, Edward Augustus Inglefield and Francis Leopold McClintock, were involved in the search for Franklin's Lost Expedition. This was a famous search for a missing Arctic exploration team.

Other notable admirals included Francis Austen, the brother of novelist Jane Austen, and Thomas Cochrane, 10th Earl of Dundonald, who inspired famous fictional characters. Alexander Milne lived here during the American Civil War and the Trent Affair.

The Museum Today

Entrance to the Naval Museum of Halifax

Admiralty House officially opened as a museum on March 26, 1974. It was recognized as a National Historic Site in 1978. The museum had big updates and repairs in 2009 and 2010.

The museum mainly focuses on the history of the Canadian Navy from 1910 until now. It also covers the older history of the Halifax Dockyard. You can see the original bell and many items from HMCS Niobe. This was the very first main ship of the Royal Canadian Navy. There are also displays of ship's bells and special bells used for christening ships.

The museum has more than 30 rooms full of exhibits for visitors. Outside, you can see weapons and equipment from the Canadian Navy. The collection includes uniforms, model ships, medals, badges, and other items from naval life. The museum also has a research library, old records, and a large collection of photographs.

Royal Navy Burying Ground

Royal Navy Burial Ground with gravestones for USS Chesapeake (left) and HMS Shannon (right)

Near the museum is the Royal Navy Burying Ground. This is a cemetery for sailors who served and died in the area. It has monuments for those who were lost, including some from the battle between USS Chesapeake and HMS Shannon. There are 84 grave markers, but it's believed that as many as 500 people are buried there. It was a tradition for the Commander-in-Chief living in Admiralty House to create a grave marker for their crew members who died while serving at the station.

Admiralty Garden

Admiralty Garden at CFB Halifax

On the museum grounds, you'll find the Admiralty Garden. It was created around 1814. This garden has plaques and monuments that honor admirals and other military people. In 1972, the "Wall of Valour" was added. This wall recognizes brave actions by members of the Canadian Navy and Naval Reserves. Those listed on the wall received special awards like the Cross of Valour (Canada), the Star of Courage (Canada), and the Medal of Bravery (Canada). There are also plaques from the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada that remember admirals like George Augustus Westphal and Provo Wallis, who were involved in the War of 1812.

Working with Others

The Naval Museum of Halifax is part of a group of 55 museums run by the Canadian Department of National Defence. It's the biggest naval museum in this group. The museum also works with the Canadian Heritage Information Network (CHIN). It partners with Nova Scotia's Maritime Museum of the Atlantic to share the naval history of the region.

See also

• Military history of Nova Scotia
• List of oldest buildings and structures in Halifax, Nova Scotia
• Organization of Military Museums of Canada

Images for kids

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  Edward Colpoys's flagship, HMS Winchester, re-established New Ireland (Maine) (1814); served at Halifax (1816–1821, 1830–1832)

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  Sir George Cockburn, 10th Baronet, Burning of Washington (1814); served at Halifax (1832–36)

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  Cockburn's flagship HMS Vernon in Halifax

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  HMS Vernon, Royal Navy Burial Ground

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  Houston Stewart, served at Halifax (1856–60)

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  Edward Augustus Inglefield, served in Halifax (1878–79)

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  John Edmund Commerell, Commerell was awarded the Victoria Cross for the Siege; served at Halifax (1882–85)

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  Commerell's flagship HMS Northampton

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  Algernon Lyons, served at Halifax (1886–88)

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  Lyons' flagship HMS Bellerophon in Halifax

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  Francis McClintock, served in Halifax (1879–82)

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  Francis Austen, brother of Jane Austen; served in Halifax (1844-1848)

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  Austen's marker to commemorate the four that died on his flagship, HMS Vindictive – Royal Navy Burying Ground (Halifax, Nova Scotia) (1846)

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  The 10th Earl of Dundonald, inspiration for Patrick O'Brian's protagonist Jack Aubrey; served in Halifax (1848–51)

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  Cochrane's marker to commemorate the 11 that died on his flagship HMS Wellesley, Royal Navy Burying Ground (Halifax, Nova Scotia), (1850)

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  Alexander Milne, Trent Affair, American Civil War; served at Halifax (1860–64)

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  Milne's marker to commemorate the 16 that died on his flagship HMS Nile Monument, Royal Navy Burying Ground (Halifax, Nova Scotia), (1861)

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  Order of Canada medal of Laverna Katie Dollimore for the Iran Hostage Crisis (1979)

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  Reported to be HMS Namur figurehead

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  This staircase is one of the few remaining landscape elements of Admiralty House's original grounds. Often confused with the "Queens Steps", this staircase can be traced through photographs in the museum's archive back to the late 1800s.

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  George Augustus Westphal - Battle of Trafalgar

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  Provo Wallis - War of 1812

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  Edward Belcher - Franklin's lost expedition

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  Charles Kingsmill