Nova Scotia Museum

Nova Scotia Museum (NSM) is the corporate name for the provincial museum system in Nova Scotia, Canada. The most decentralized museum in Canada,^[2] it forms a key part of the province's tourism infrastructure. At its peak, the Nova Scotia Museum system included 28 sites, but 40% of the sites were permanently closed in 2026 by Nova Scotia's Premier Tim Houston.^[3] The NSM delivers programs, exhibits and products which provide both local residents and tourists in Nova Scotian communities an opportunity to experience and learn about Nova Scotia's social and natural history.^[4] More than 600,000 people visit the facilities each year.

The Nova Scotia Museum was created by the Nova Scotia Museum Act, a provincial legislation.

The Nova Scotia Museum began with the collection of the Halifax Mechanics' Institute, founded in December 1831. The museum was formally established in 1868. The Rev. Dr. David Honeyman was the first curator. He was followed by Harry Piers, who as curator from 1899 to 1940 oversaw a steady expansion of the museum's collection.^[5]

The name Nova Scotia Museum emerged in 1960s when a new museum act combined both human and natural history in one institution. The museum soon expanded from a Halifax-based operation to open branch museums across the provinces, beginning with assuming responsibility for the historic houses Haliburton House Museum in Windsor, Uniacke House in Mount Uniacke and the Perkins House Museum in Liverpool.^[6] During this time, Marie Elwood was Chief Curator of History at the Nova Scotia Museum from 1973 to 1992.^[7] The Nova Scotia Museum sites at first focused on preserving rare historic homes and mills but grew to include sites that explored more general themes such as the fisheries, geology, Celtic and Acadian life. This made the Nova Scotia Museum unique in Canada as not one central museum, based in the capital, but a family of museums designed to include local knowledge and ownership of the museum's provincial mandate of exploring human and natural history.^[8]

At its peak, the Nova Scotia Museum consisted of 28 sites, managing more than 200 historic buildings, living history sites, vessels and about one million artifacts and specimens, either directly or through a system of co-operative agreements with societies and local boards. However in February 2026, the Nova Scotia Museum faced an unprecedented round of cuts by Tim Houston's Conservative Party which permanently closed 12 of the museum system's 28 sites.^[9] Dave Ritcey, the Minister of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage responsible for NSM, told reporters that Nova Scotia has too many small rural museums and the cuts were needed to focus on resources that make the most difference.^[10] The cuts to rural museum touched off protests across the province.^[11]

As well as managing and maintaining historical collections, the museum has sponsored the publication of many historical books, pamphlets and other documents.^[12]

The museum staff and volunteers undertake a variety of restoration projects,^[13] create cultural and natural history displays,^[14] and participate in historical reenactments.

The organization also issues Heritage Research Permits, allowing scientists to collect and study fossils and other archaeological artifacts.^[15]

• Hours of these locations will be effected by federal, municipal, and provincial holidays. Please check the Nova Scotia Museum website for specific information.

• List of museums in Nova Scotia

• Nova Scotia Museum

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