-
“This Is What I Wish You Knew”: Mi’kmaq Identity and History at the Museum of Natural History in Kjipuktuk, Mi’kma’ki (Halifax, Nova Scotia)
Here in Nova Scotia, I think many of us take advantage of our history. We grow up sitting through history classes that we write off as boring. Or maybe we dismiss Canadian history as a whole, chalking ourselves up as uninteresting in comparison to our American neighbours. Yet this is untrue. No history is plain and lifeless. And though I am happy to share with you my passion for the history of this province and actively prove to you that Nova Scotian and Canadian history is anything but uneventful, there is also a darker side of this conversation. How our disinterest in our own histories not only comes from a…
-
What Two Years of On and Off Blogging has Taught Me
On November 6th, 2018 I published my first blog post. I was new to blogging, but it was something I had knew I needed to pursue. Though I love academic writing, I missed the freedom and fun of putting pen to paper in a more creative style. From the beginning, I craved blogging about local historic sites and tucked away treasures. Museums skirting cities or historic villages in seemingly the middle of nowhere. Backroom displays and temporary exhibitions. Blogging was the perfect opportunity to combine my love of writing and history. I yearned to share these adventures not only because I find them fascinating, but to help boost these off…
-
Drums, Jewelry & Horns: Jamaican Maroons Inspired Art Exhibition
Art communicates history in ways often records and historical artifacts cannot. It’s a song that keeps on singing the perspective of the painter. The story an artist shares. A peak at what life was like at the time. Creating a replica of a moment, whether a reality or dream. It immortalizes a memory. Forever judged, it continues to stand. Art is strong, often staying in this world much longer than its creator. To be honest, historically I haven’t been very well versed in art. I enjoy art, but I’m not good at it. I’m not an artist or an art critic. Yet you don’t have to be an art connoisseur…
-
The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
The throwback continues! During Christmas break of 2019, I traveled to North Carolina. The trip included visiting two state museums. In the morning, my partner and I explored the North Carolina Museum of History. After breaking for lunch, we headed next door to the North Carolina Musuem of Natural Sciences. That’s right, I toured two museums IN ONE DAY. Jam packed with history, we visited the North Carolina Museum of History in the morning. By the time my partner and I finished up at the North Carolina Museum of History and grabbed a bite to eat, our day of museum hopping was only half done. We still had the North…
-
“Egyptian Mummies & Eternal Life” at the Museum of Natural History
There’s many things that one might expect to see in Nova Scotian museums. Models of old schooners, cookbooks from generations ago, furnishings of the rich and poor or weaponry that predates confederation. Typical maritimer artifacts and histories. I can ensure you that I never expected to see a mummy in Nova Scotia. No, I’m not referring to the one that insists you call once a week or will always make your favourite meal when you visit, but the thousands of years old one that died halfway across the world. Yes, I’m talking about Egyptian mummies. You may wonder “What could mummies possibly be doing in Nova Scotia?”. Well, the Museum…
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.
