Teddy Bears AHOY! Opens at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic

N.S. MUSEUM--Teddy Bears AHOY! Opens at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic

Hundreds of teddy bears have moved into the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic to become part of the exhibit called The Great Bear Regatta, to open on Sunday, Dec. 1. The exhibit is the centrepiece for Teddy Bears AHOY!, a six-week long event ending Jan. 12, 2003.

In October, the museum invited Nova Scotians to lend their teddy bears to be included in the special exhibit that celebrates the heyday of boating regattas in Nova Scotia. The response was enthusiastic with about 750 teddy bears -- of different colours, shapes, sizes and ages -- being loaned to the museum.

"We wanted to create a fun, family-oriented special event featuring a rich story from our maritime heritage that would be appealing to people of all generations," said Gerry Lunn, museum curator. "For the regatta race days of the early 1900s, the city would sometimes shut down and everyone would be on hand to watch. We've created a whimsical exhibit recreating such a day with the hundreds of teddy bears loaned to us."

The exhibit will strike a familiar chord for anyone acquainted with the waters of Halifax Harbour. The setting is the Northwest Arm as it was in 1902, complete with the Dingle Tower, a boating house, racing shells and spectator boats.

"It is important for our museum to make a connection with people of all ages but particularly young children," said Michael Murray, museum director. "We hope that the idea of seeing teddy bears at play will attract children and once here, they will be introduced to and learn about our region's maritime history through this and our other exhibits."

The museum has a variety of activities planned for throughout the event including a scavenger hunt for teddy bears hiding in the museum, teddy bear nautical wreath workshops, a 100th birthday party for the teddy bear, story times, face painting and Christmas tree ornament crafts.

Two other displays will also be featured. The first is a display of some favourite antique bears belonging to Wolfville resident and collector Michelle Daniels. The second is a display of nautical toys that have often joined teddy bears over the years as presents under Nova Scotia Christmas trees.

The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic is located at 1675 Lower Water St., Halifax. Information on museum hours and admission prices is available by calling 902-424-7490 or by visiting the museum's Web site at http://maritime.museum.gov.ns.ca .