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Visiting Georges Island, Nova Scotia
I remember drifting over the waves of Halifax Harbour last fall as I made my way to McNab’s Island. It’s not often that I see the harbour’s islands up close, and it made me wonder if I would ever have the chance to trail any of the others. This summer, during the year that has been full of disasters and worse case scenarios, I was lucky enough to be able to book tickets to Georges Island. An Introduction to Georges Island Georges Island is a national historic site located in Halifax Harbour. Home to Fort Charlotte, Georges Island has one of the five major fortifications that enforced Halifax’s defence system.…
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Exploring McNabs Island, Nova Scotia
You’ve all seen it. Staring at Halifax. Full of mystery, and certainly packed with history. Yes, I’m talking about one of the few islands in the harbour, McNabs. McNabs Island is the largest of the four islands in Halifax Harbour and is a provincial park. The other three islands are Lawlor’s Island, Devil’s Island, and George’s Island. Of the four, McNabs is the only which visitors are currently allowed regularly, though they need to arrange their own transportation. I had been looking back at McNabs Island for quite some time. I had heard of a quarantine, cholera deaths, old forts, houses, fairs and factories which were located on the Island…
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Pre-History Trip: Fundy Geological Museum
The first part of our day was spent at the Joggins Fossil Cliffs, exploring the museum and rocky beach. Once we left Joggins, we headed over to the Fundy Geological Museum. The Fundy Geological Museum, though also focusing on the geological past of Nova Scotia, has a larger focus on dinosaurs! Only about a half an hour drive from the cliffs, we arrived by mid-afternoon. Eldon’s Dinosaur Statue While parking, we (myself, my boyfriend, and a friend) were greeted by a statue that I had seen before. It was a green dinosaur, clearly looking as though it has lived a long life. I first encountered the dinosaur about ten years…
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Pre-History Trip: Joggins Fossil Cliffs
There’s nothing like digging up good local spots to spend a day. And this week’s write up takes a turn towards prehistory, time before humans and their impact on the world. History is defined exclusively to humanity’s past, with prehistory covering the world’s developments beforehand. Events thousands, if not millions of years ago, have a profound effect on our relationship and understanding of the Earth today. And there’s nothing quite like the excitement of getting to unbury some of that knowledge. It may come as a surprise to many that Nova Scotia has very rich geological history. One of the main geological or fossil related attractions in the province is…
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History at Memory Lane Heritage Village
The age-old ice breaker “If you could time travel, when would you choose to visit?” continues to be used in a variety of settings from classes, conferences, summer camps, and work places as a way to get to know those around you. But if you actually had to choose, beyond the standard answers of Ancient Greece or Egypt, what would you choose? For me, there is no question that if I was to abandon a modern era of technology and medical advances, I wouldn’t travel too far back – but to an age that there are still those living from. I would dive in to the 1940’s. The high-waist buttoned…
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The Naval Museum of Halifax, Nova Scotia
Have you ever been to Halifax’s Naval Museum? Many Haligonians would answer no, or you may see a confused look upon their faces. Maybe even hear something along the lines of “Halifax has a Naval Museum!?”. As one of Halifax’s hidden gems, the Naval Museum of Halifax is located off Gottingen Street on the Stadacona base. Bring your government issued photo ID to get in, and a couple minute walk to the right will bring you to the beautiful Admiralty House. Admission is free, donations appreciated. About the Naval Museum Admiralty House was built from 1815 to 1819, used as the home for the Commander in Chief of the Royal Navy’s…
My name is Kirby and I’m a 20-something year old with an M.A. in History. Needless to say, history is a huge passion of mine.
