Nova Scotia Museum Sites Set to Celebrate Canada Day With Glowing Hearts

Several Nova Scotia Museum sites will host open house events and activities in honour of Canada Day, July 1.

"This weekend Nova Scotians can celebrate our country and learn about its diverse culture and history by visiting a museum," said Communities, Culture and Heritage Minister David Wilson. "By making life-long learning fun, the provincial museum system is adding to the quality of life in communities throughout Nova Scotia."

At Uniacke Estate Museum Park in Mount Uniacke, visitors can enjoy an afternoon of traditional games while exploring one of Nova Scotia's grandest country mansions. Built in 1816, the house features the Uniacke family's original possessions and the picturesque property has walking trails that range from easy to challenging.

In West Pubnico, Canada Day at Le Village historique acadien will feature tasty treats, toe-tapping live music and free admission from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Visitors of all ages are welcome to stop in and discover a thriving community at the early 1900s seaside village that showcases the industrious and joyful spirit of the Acadian people.

At the other end of the province in Iona, Victoria Co., Highland Village Museum will host a free open house event in honour of Canada Day. As North America's only living history museum for Gaelic language and culture, the beautiful 43-acre site offers visitors the chance to take part in a traditional céilidh, hear Gaelic singing, learn Gaelic phrases and become captivated by the spirit of pioneering Scottish Gaels.

In Halifax Regional Municipality, the Museum of Natural History will offer free admission throughout the day and, additionally, will sell museum family passes at the special Canada Day rate of $18.67 plus tax. The family pass grants admission for two adults and their children and is good for a full year.

Also in HRM, admission to CSS Acadia, the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic's largest artifact, will be free on Canada Day. Located at the wharf behind the Maritime Museum, CSS Acadia pioneered hydrographic research in the early 1900s, served as a patrol and escort vessel in both World Wars, and is the only vessel still afloat to survive the Halifax Explosion. The ship celebrates its 98th birthday July 8.

Established in 1868, the Nova Scotia Museum system is one of the oldest provincial in Canada. Its 27 museum sites include more than 200 historic buildings, living history sites, vessels and close to a million artifacts and specimens.

For information on all 27 museums, scheduled events, locations, admission rates and hours of operation, visit http://museum.gov.ns.ca.