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Yarmouth County Museum & Archives facts for kids
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| Established | 1935 |
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| Location | 22 Collins Street Yarmouth, Nova Scotia B5A 3C8 |
| Type | Municipal Museum & Archives |
The Yarmouth County Museum & Archives is a special place in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, that tells the story of the area's past. It's not just one building, but a whole campus of historic places, including a beautiful old church and two historic houses.
The museum helps you travel back in time to see what life was like in Yarmouth County. During the summer, you can also visit a special display at the restored Killam Brothers Shipping Office right on the Yarmouth waterfront.
Contents
The Museum's Story
The museum's journey began in 1935 when a group of history lovers formed the Yarmouth County Historical Society. Their goal was to collect and protect the history of their community. By 1958, they had gathered enough items to officially open a museum.
In 1969, the museum moved into its current main building. This building is a former church built in 1892 from strong granite stone. It's so important that it's listed on the Canadian Register of Historic Places, a list of Canada's most treasured buildings.
The museum grew even bigger in 2000. It added two historic houses next door, creating more space for amazing exhibits and a research center for old documents and photographs.
Amazing Things to See
The museum is filled with incredible treasures that show Yarmouth's deep connection to the sea and its rich history.
Treasures from the Sea
Yarmouth was once a major shipping port, and the museum's collection shows this. It has the third-largest collection of marine paintings in Canada! You can also see the original giant lens from the Cape Forchu Lighthouse. This special fresnel lens was saved in 1962 when the old lighthouse was replaced.
Another cool exhibit is dedicated to the MV Bluenose, a ferry that sailed from Yarmouth for many years. You can see the ship's wheel, compass, and bell, making you feel like you're on the bridge of the ship.
Travel in the 1800s
Before cars, people traveled in horse-drawn carriages. The museum has two real stagecoaches from the mid-1800s. One is a famous Concord stagecoach, and the other was built right in Yarmouth. These coaches once carried passengers and mail between Yarmouth and Tusket, Nova Scotia.
The Mysterious Runic Stone
One of the most famous items in the museum is the Yarmouth Runic Stone. It's a rock with strange carvings on it. Some people once thought the carvings were made by Viking explorers hundreds of years ago. Today, experts are not so sure, but the stone remains a fascinating piece of local mystery.
Remembering the Past
The museum also holds items that honor people from the past. One of these is a metal plaque made by the Canadian Bank of Commerce. It was created to remember bank employees who served in the First World War. This plaque was found in a building that used to be the bank's Yarmouth office.