Maritime Museum of the Atlantic
Nova Scotia
The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, located in downtown Halifax, Nova Scotia, is Canada's oldest and largest maritime museum. Established in 1948, it houses an extensive collection of over 30,000 artifacts, including 70 small craft and the historic steam-powered survey ship CSS Acadia launched in 1913. The museum features public galleries dedicated to the Days of Sail, Age of Steam, Canadian Navy, Halifax Explosion, and Shipwrecks, offering a comprehensive insight into the region's rich maritime heritage. Notably, it holds the world's foremost collection of wooden artifacts from the RMS Titanic, including a rare deck chair and personal items that helped identify Titanic victims. The museum's location on the Halifax Waterfront provides strategic views of the harbor and access to several piers and boatsheds, including the restored 1880s Robertson Store ship chandler building. Visitors can explore exhibits on naval history, shipwreck treasures, and the Battle of the Atlantic, complemented by outdoor monuments and a unique submarine-shaped playground for children. The museum also maintains a public reference library named after its founding director, Niels Jannasch, and actively engages in restoration projects such as the 1937 C-class sloop Whim and the schooner Hebridee II.
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Tip: The best time to visit is during the summer months when the museum's small craft collection, including the CSS Acadia, are moored and accessible. Purchase tickets in advance during peak tourist season to avoid queues. The museum offers discounts for seniors, students, and families. Take advantage of guided tours to fully appreciate the historical context and artifacts. The waterfront location makes it easy to combine your visit with a stroll along Halifax Harbour and nearby attractions.
Interesting facts
- •The museum holds the world's foremost collection of wooden artifacts from the RMS Titanic, including one of the few surviving deck chairs.
- •The CSS Acadia, housed at the museum, is a 180-foot steam-powered hydrographic survey ship launched in 1913 and is a significant historic vessel.
- •The museum's collection includes the original production models of the television show Theodore Tugboat.
- •The adjacent children's playground is uniquely shaped like a submarine, reflecting the museum's naval themes.
- •The museum features monuments to both the Canadian and Norwegian Merchant Navy outside its premises.
History
Founded in 1948 as the Maritime Museum of Canada, the institution was initially located at the HMC Dockyard naval base.
Niels Jannasch became its first director in 1959, leading until 1985.
The museum relocated multiple times before settling in its current waterfront building constructed in 1981, part of Halifax's harbor redevelopment.
It acquired the CSS Acadia in 1982, enhancing its collection.
Over time, the museum has grown into a key member of the Nova Scotia Museum system and a leading repository of Canada's maritime heritage.
Place Guide
CSS Acadia1913
A historic 180-foot steam-powered hydrographic survey ship launched in 1913, permanently docked at the museum. It offers visitors a rare opportunity to explore a preserved early 20th-century steamship.
Titanic Exhibit
A permanent exhibit focusing on the sinking of the RMS Titanic, emphasizing Nova Scotia's role in recovering victims. It includes wooden artifacts, a deck chair, and personal items such as the child's shoes that identified the 'unknown child'.
Robertson Store Ship Chandler1880s
A fully restored 1880s ship chandler building featuring hands-on exhibits like foghorns and ship fittings, illustrating maritime commerce and supply practices of the era.
Navy Gallery and Convoy Exhibit
Gallery dedicated to the Canadian Navy, including the Battle of the Atlantic and the Canadian Merchant Navy Book of Remembrance. It educates visitors on naval warfare history and merchant navy contributions.
Small Craft Restoration1937 (Whim)
Ongoing restoration projects including the 1937 C-class sloop Whim and the schooner Hebridee II, showcasing traditional boat-building and preservation techniques.
Contact
Phone: (902) 424-7491
