Museum Event Celebrates Traditional Maritime Skills

The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic is hosting Two if By Sea: Two Weekends of Maritime Traditions. The event is a showcase and celebration of the skill and ingenuity of Nova Scotia's many talented boatbuilders.

Two if by Sea will take place on Feb. 23 and 24 and again March 2 and 3 at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic on Lower Water Street in Halifax. It's an opportunity to meet Nova Scotian boatbuilders and others who regularly sail, paddle or row. Visitors will see demonstrations of intriguing traditional marine trades.

Activities throughout the event include boat building, ship carving, sail making, rope work, wire splicing and spar making. On both Feb. 23 and March 2, the museum's boat builder invites the public to help steam-bend oak frames for a replica of the oldest boat in the museum's collection.

Members of the Small Wooden Boat Association of Nova Scotia and the Nova Scotia Sea School will be on hand to present their work of preserving the province's rich small-craft heritage.

Admission to the event is $3 for adults, $2.50 for seniors, $1 for children 6-17 years old and $7.50 for a family. More information is available by calling 902-424-7490.