Programs & Events of the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic

Marvel at the beauty of Canadian wildlife seen through the eyes of Canadians.

This travelling exhibition presents the 30 winning photographs, from more than 5,300 entries, of the 2008 Wildlife Photography of the Year Contest run by Canadian Geographic, in partnership with the Canadian Museum of Nature and the Alliance of Natural History Museums of Canada.

Modelled on the British Wildlife Photographer of the Year Competition run by the Natural History Museum in London and BBC Wildlife Magazine, this new photo contest and exhibition promote the beauty, diversity, value and vulnerability of wildlife by highlighting the most striking and unique photography depicting natural subjects.

This year’s edition has revealed outstanding Canadian talents. The exhibit features beautiful photographs from the following categories: birds, mammals, urban wildlife, all other animals and baby critters, a special category for our younger budding photographers.

Produced by the Canadian Museum of Nature in partnership with Canadian Geographic and the Alliance of Natural History Museums of Canada.

In the spring of 1939, just before World War II, a frequent and popular visitor to Halifax made an infamous voyage. The Hamburg-America liner St. Louis sailed from Germany to Havana with over 900 German Jews fleeing Nazi persecution. Turned away first by Cuba, then by the United States and Canada, the refugees returned to Europe where many perished in the Holocaust.

Discover the fate of this ship and her passengers in this temporary exhibit about a human rights tragedy, which will be on display until November 7, 2010.

The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic is pleased to unveil a display of recently acquired artifacts associated with the sinking of the RMS Titanic.

Acquired this past October, the artifacts are valuable additions to the Museum’s permanent Titanic exhibit, which tells the story of Halifax’s connection to the ill-fated vessel. Their purchase was made possible through the support of the Nova Scotia Museum Endowment Fund, administered by the Nova Scotia Museum Board of Governors.

The new items included in the exhibit are as follows:

Mortuary Bag

The mortuary bag was sewn aboard the Halifax cable ship Mackay-Bennett and was used to safeguard the personal effects of Body No. 41, 33 year-old Edmund Stone, a First Class bedroom Steward from Southampton who was buried at sea.

The core of the system for body recovery and identification, mortuary bags were made aboard ship as the bodies were found and they proved very effective in keeping victims’ personal effects together, both on the ship and in the morgue. This system was so successful in the process of identifying bodies and returning personal effects to families, that the coroner during the Halifax Explosion followed the Titanic example and made identical bags for the personal effects of Explosion victims.

Wreckwood Rosette

The wreckwood rosette belonged to William Parker, a Nova Scotian carpenter aboard the Halifax cable ship Minia. who participated in the recovery of Titanic victims. Like many sailors, Parker collected several pieces of floating Titanic debris to keep as mementos of the historic disaster.

Parker crafted the decorative rosette out of eight pieces of the oak balustrade from the ship’s grand staircase. Titanic wreckwood is the specialty of the Maritime Museum’s Titanic exhibit and many of the pieces in that collection were made by Parker, such as a cribbage board he crafted from Titanic oak. The addition of the rosette further enhances the significance of this unique collection.

Photograph and Cap Badge

The photograph and cap badge included in the display also belonged to William Parker. The signed photograph is of Parker himself, dressed in the cable company uniform he wore aboard Minia, while the his cap badge came from a different cable ship uniform he most likely wore aboard another vessel during his 45 year career at sea.

Already in possession of Parker’s sea chest and the tools he used to craft his wreckwood pieces, the Museum was eager to obtain the photograph and cap badge as both objects further illustrate this regular Nova Scotian who played a small role in Titanic’s history.

What will the 2009 hurricane season bring to the North Atlantic? Visit the Maritime Museum and watch as staff track the progress of this year’s storms on a giant weather map. Learn about the hurricanes that have battered Nova Scotia’s shores over the past century-and-a-half, and view the Canadian Meteorological Service’s Hurricane Centre website for the very latest on hurricanes.

Upcoming Events & Programs
	Exhibits... Walking Tours... Birthday Parties... Nightwatch... At the Wharves...


	Exhibits
Exhibit 2008 Wildlife Photography of the Year This exhibition was originally intended to be hosted by the Museum of Natural History. However, due to construction the Museum is currently closed to visitors. The Museum of Natural History is extremely pleased and grateful to its sister institution, the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, for hosting Canadian Wildlife Photography of the Year 2008 for all Nova Scotians to enjoy.	Marvel at the beauty of Canadian wildlife seen through the eyes of Canadians. This travelling exhibition presents the 30 winning photographs, from more than 5,300 entries, of the 2008 Wildlife Photography of the Year Contest run by Canadian Geographic, in partnership with the Canadian Museum of Nature and the Alliance of Natural History Museums of Canada. Modelled on the British Wildlife Photographer of the Year Competition run by the Natural History Museum in London and BBC Wildlife Magazine, this new photo contest and exhibition promote the beauty, diversity, value and vulnerability of wildlife by highlighting the most striking and unique photography depicting natural subjects. This year’s edition has revealed outstanding Canadian talents. The exhibit features beautiful photographs from the following categories: birds, mammals, urban wildlife, all other animals and baby critters, a special category for our younger budding photographers. Produced by the Canadian Museum of Nature in partnership with Canadian Geographic and the Alliance of Natural History Museums of Canada.

Temporary Exhibit SS St Louis: Ship of Fate Opens, Monday, November 9th, 2009 until November 7th, 2010	In the spring of 1939, just before World War II, a frequent and popular visitor to Halifax made an infamous voyage. The Hamburg-America liner St. Louis sailed from Germany to Havana with over 900 German Jews fleeing Nazi persecution. Turned away first by Cuba, then by the United States and Canada, the refugees returned to Europe where many perished in the Holocaust. Discover the fate of this ship and her passengers in this temporary exhibit about a human rights tragedy, which will be on display until November 7, 2010.

Temporary Exhibit New additions to Titantic Exhibit: Mortuary Bag and Artifacts	The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic is pleased to unveil a display of recently acquired artifacts associated with the sinking of the RMS Titanic. Acquired this past October, the artifacts are valuable additions to the Museum’s permanent Titanic exhibit, which tells the story of Halifax’s connection to the ill-fated vessel. Their purchase was made possible through the support of the Nova Scotia Museum Endowment Fund, administered by the Nova Scotia Museum Board of Governors. The new items included in the exhibit are as follows: Mortuary Bag The mortuary bag was sewn aboard the Halifax cable ship Mackay-Bennett and was used to safeguard the personal effects of Body No. 41, 33 year-old Edmund Stone, a First Class bedroom Steward from Southampton who was buried at sea. The core of the system for body recovery and identification, mortuary bags were made aboard ship as the bodies were found and they proved very effective in keeping victims’ personal effects together, both on the ship and in the morgue. This system was so successful in the process of identifying bodies and returning personal effects to families, that the coroner during the Halifax Explosion followed the Titanic example and made identical bags for the personal effects of Explosion victims. Wreckwood Rosette The wreckwood rosette belonged to William Parker, a Nova Scotian carpenter aboard the Halifax cable ship Minia. who participated in the recovery of Titanic victims. Like many sailors, Parker collected several pieces of floating Titanic debris to keep as mementos of the historic disaster. Parker crafted the decorative rosette out of eight pieces of the oak balustrade from the ship’s grand staircase. Titanic wreckwood is the specialty of the Maritime Museum’s Titanic exhibit and many of the pieces in that collection were made by Parker, such as a cribbage board he crafted from Titanic oak. The addition of the rosette further enhances the significance of this unique collection. Photograph and Cap Badge The photograph and cap badge included in the display also belonged to William Parker. The signed photograph is of Parker himself, dressed in the cable company uniform he wore aboard Minia, while the his cap badge came from a different cable ship uniform he most likely wore aboard another vessel during his 45 year career at sea. Already in possession of Parker’s sea chest and the tools he used to craft his wreckwood pieces, the Museum was eager to obtain the photograph and cap badge as both objects further illustrate this regular Nova Scotian who played a small role in Titanic’s history.

Temporary Exhibit Hurricane Havoc Through November, 2009	What will the 2009 hurricane season bring to the North Atlantic? Visit the Maritime Museum and watch as staff track the progress of this year’s storms on a giant weather map. Learn about the hurricanes that have battered Nova Scotia’s shores over the past century-and-a-half, and view the Canadian Meteorological Service’s Hurricane Centre website for the very latest on hurricanes.

	Workshops
Knot a Nautical Christmas Wreath Tuesday, November 24th 6:30 and 8:00 pm Saturday, November 28th 11:00 am and 1:00 pm	This is an old favourite, so register early by calling 902-424-7491, starting on September 1st. The cost is $20.00 + HST per person and registrants are reminded to bring along a pair of light gloves for working with the rope.

	Walking Tours
Halifax Explosion Walking Tours Saturdays at Noon Dec 5 Please Note: As of November 18, this tour is full. We will take names for a waiting list.	Every year, local history enthusiast Jim Simpson leads walking tours of the North End of Halifax as he tells the stories of tragedy, survival and human spirit that are linked to the massive explosion that rocked Halifax on December 6, 1917. Jim is joined by Garry Shutlak, Senior Archivist at the Nova Scotia Archives, who provides commentary on many of the areas and themes that the tour covers. New this year is an extended walk to Robie and Agricola Streets and a focus on the Hotchkiss and Taylor families and their involvement in the disaster. All tours leave from the Union Street parking lot at Fort Needham. Tours are free but you should register by calling 424-7491, starting on September 1st. Registrants are reminded to dress for the weather and to wear comfortable walking shoes as the tour last about two and a half hours.

	Birthday Parties
Birthday Parties at the Maritime Museum Saturday afternoons available between 12 and 4	Looking for that unique, and more importantly, different and new birthday party experience for your children aged 5 to 12 years? Are your children interested in pirates? What about shipwrecks? Look no further. Call us at 902-424-7491 to discuss your needs and your child's interests. Costs will depend on specific program requirements. Click here to see more.

	Nightwatch
NIGHT WATCH OVERNIGHT ADVENTURE PROGRAM September to June	Museums take on a whole different appearance once they are closed for the evening. Imagine having one all to yourself for an entire night. This is all possible with Night Watch, an awesome overnight adventure at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, in the heart of the historic Halifax waterfront! You and your group will have an all access pass to one of the coolest museums in Atlantic Canada! Possible Evening Adventures: Night Watch caters to a diverse age range. We provide you with the opportunity to customize your evening in order to best incorporate the elements you feel would be most beneficial to your group. All programs include a visit to the museum steam ship CSS Acadia and the Robertson Store, a restored marine supply store. You choose your own adventure for the balance of the evening. Click Here for Evening Outline. During Night Watch, the educational opportunities are endless. Below are a few of the themes and exhibits that can be directly linked to curriculum outcomes. Click on the theme for further exhibit details. CSS Acadia Robertson Store Titanic Shipwrecks Halifax Explosion Ghost Tour The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic is one of the premiere museums in Atlantic Canada and is a safe and secure environment for your overnight adventure. Your program is run by trained staff familiar with the museum environment. A staff member remains on site for the overnight component and the building has a 24 hour security guard. For more information click the link below. When to come and what is included? Night Watch is offered seasonally from October to June. Monday evenings are reserved for school groups. Depending on site availability, the program can be offered on Friday and Saturday evenings. Start Time: 6:30pm, Departure Time: 8:15am. Evening snack and light breakfast provided. Structured program delivered by enthusiastic and professional staff. Opportunity for self exploration of galleries. Thousands of children and their chaperones have been thrilled by their Night Watch experience since the program's inception in 2002. Your group could be next! For more information or to book your Night Watch adventure, please contact: Adam Langley Education and Interpretation Consultant Heritage Explorers Unit 10 82 Portland Street, Dartmouth, NS B2Y 1H6 Ph: (902) 446-4416 Email: info@heritageexplorers.com Web: Heritage Explorers

	At The Wharves
Historic Ship: CSS Acadia CLOSED FOR THE SEASON Ship will reopen in May 2010	Ninety years ago, the ship CSS Acadia, now permanently berthed behind the museum, was commissioned and began a distinguished service of more than half a century of hydrographic surveying. Acadia was launched in 1913 at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England at the yards of Swan, Hunter and Wigham Richardson Ltd. She was specifically designed and built to survey Canada's coastal waters and her career took her from the dangerous, ice-infested waters of Hudson Bay to Nova Scotia's South Shore. Acadia remains a classic example of the best that her British builders had to offer during the Edwardian era. With her two masts and single funnel, she resembles a small steam yacht more than a hardworking survey vessel. Her interior displays a class of marine craftsmanship typical of that great tradition with beautiful mahogany and oak paneling and fine brasswork to be found throughout the quarters of the hydrographic staff and officers, giving them accommodations that suggest the great ocean liners of the same era. More info is available on this website.


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Upcoming Events & Programs

Mortuary Bag

Wreckwood Rosette

Photograph and Cap Badge

Workshops

Walking Tours

Birthday Parties

Nightwatch

At The Wharves