Archives Creates Virtual Exhibit for Yarmouth 250

Nova Scotians will be able to explore historic photos that depict the vibrant history of Yarmouth through a virtual exhibit launched today, July 21, by Nova Scotia Archives.

Created for the 250th anniversary of the founding of the town, Seeing Yarmouth: Celebrating 250 Years is a partnership with the Yarmouth County Museum and Archives.

Communities, Culture and Heritage Minister David Wilson visited the Yarmouth museum to mark the exhibit's launch.

"The museum has so much to offer visitors during this 250th anniversary year for Yarmouth," said Mr. Wilson. "This exhibit is an excellent opportunity to promote Yarmouth's rich history to a large audience, both in Nova Scotia and beyond."

The exhibit explores 19th and early 20th century life in the historic town through photographs and text.

Images were selected from the Yarmouth County Museum and Archives' extensive photograph collection and digitized for the web by the Nova Scotia Archives. The Nova Scotia Archives added from its collection a digital version of a souvenir booklet published to celebrate the town's 150th anniversary in July 1911, which features a brief history of Yarmouth and a selection of period photographs.

"We have been pleased to partner with the Yarmouth County Museum and Archives in creating this online exhibit to celebrate 250 years of community history and community pride," said Lois Yorke, director of public services at the Nova Scotia Archives.

The virtual exhibit focuses on the richness of everyday life in the south shore town, including photographs of an early motorized vehicle filled with sight-seeing visitors, a 1920s image of the town's first operating room, and a 1906 image showing a parade of automobiles driven by members of the Yarmouth Auto Club. Many other photos featured in the exhibit reveal the town's outstanding architectural heritage.

"We are delighted to have the opportunity to partner with Nova Scotia Archives to exhibit a selection of photographs from our collection, particularly on the occasion of our 250th anniversary year," said Aurel Mooney, president of the Yarmouth County Historical Society. "These photographs illustrate a visual history that may be less well known -- Yarmouth's military involvement, theatrical and musical groups, special events and celebrations."

The launch of the virtual exhibit coincides with Seafest celebrations, beginning July 22.

The exhibit is available at www.gov.ns.ca/nsarm/virtual/yarmouth/.

Nova Scotia Archives acquires, preserves and makes available the province's documentary heritage.