Nova Scotia Museum (NSM) is the corporate name for the 28 museums across Nova Scotia , Canada , and is part of the province's tourism infrastructure. The organization manages more than 200 historic buildings, living history sites, vessels, and specialized museums and about one million artifacts and specimens, either directly or through a system of co-operative agreements with societies and local boards. 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. More than 600,000 people visit the facilities each year.
7-657: 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 Mechanics Institute in Halifax, 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
14-399: A "renaissance man of this province's cultural history. It matters not where the modern researcher penetrates — history, archaeology, material culture, geology, botany — it is almost certain that you will find his footprint of decades ago. At a time when nobody else cared, he and his museum did, and between them they preserved and recorded much that would otherwise have vanished utterly." He
21-754: A one-man-museum for Nova Scotia. His obituary in the Halifax Chronicle Herald noted, "Many called him a 'human book of knowledge'. His tall stately figure was familiar in the community life of Halifax and he played a prominent role in numerous activities in the City and Province.". Piers' museum work was multi-disciplinary, collecting artifacts and specimens for human and natural history. His collection documentation set high standards of research and description that were ahead of their time and stand out today as instructive examples of museum work. A Parks Canada historian in recent times lauded him as
28-473: The Public Archives of Nova Scotia opened. He did extensive work with Jerry Lonecloud documenting Mi'kmaq people 's culture and history. He died on January 24, 1940, and is buried in Halifax at Camp Hill Cemetery . He was succeeded as curator of Nova Scotia Museum by Donald Crowdis . Piers was an active writer publishing on a wide range of subject from the history of the military to the habits of
35-962: The winter wren , a tiny bird found in Nova Scotia forests. His last book, "The Evolution of the Halifax Fortress 1749-1928", was published in 1947 just after his death and played a key role in restoring the Halifax Citadel and York Redoubt . Piers was also known for his assistance to other authors. In 1893 he edited Mary Jane Katzmann 's Akins Prize-winning History of the Townships of Dartmouth, Preston and Lawrencetown, Halifax County, N.S. posthumously for publication. History and fiction writer Thomas Raddall received crucial encouragement and assistance from Piers who became Raddall's mentor for historical research. Piers worked with precision and diligence for many years as virtually
42-710: The museum's collection. As well as managing and maintaining historical collections, the museum has sponsored the publication of many historical books, pamphlets and other documents. The museum staff and volunteers undertake a variety of restoration projects, create cultural and natural history displays, and participate in historical reenactments. The organization also issues Heritage Research Permits, allowing scientists to collect and study fossils and other archaeological artifacts. Sunday (13:00 - 17:00) Sunday (10:00 - 17:00) 44°38′44″N 63°35′06″W / 44.64558°N 63.58493°W / 44.64558; -63.58493 Harry Piers Harry Piers (1870–1940)
49-720: Was a Canadian historian . He was a long-serving and influential historian and curator at the Nova Scotia Museum in Halifax , Nova Scotia . Piers was born on February 12, 1870, in Halifax. He became the second curator of the Nova Scotia Museum in 1899 when he succeeded David Honeyman. Piers also served as librarian of the Provincial Science Library from 1900 and as Deputy Keeper of Public Records of Nova Scotia from 1899 until 1931, when
#611388