Glace Bay Heritage Museum

The Glace Bay Heritage Museum or the Old Town Hall is located in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, in the one time town hall.

Situated at 14 McKeen Street in Glace Bay, the Old Town Hall has been at the center of much of the community's life for more than a century. Within a year of Glace Bay's incorporation as a town, in 1901, construction began on the three-story red brick building. Built to house the offices of the new municipality, Glace Bay's Town Hall was officially opened in September, 1903. Over the years, the Town Hall was to become home to various civic services, including the police and fire departments; a court of justice and the town's jail.

As the town grew, many of its services outgrew their quarters at the Old Town Hall. By 1989, the aging building had become tired and worn and its upkeep proved too expensive for a town with a dwindling population. In 1989 the Mayor and Town Council elected to relocate, rather than repair the Old Town Hall.

The following year they transferred ownership to the Glace Bay Heritage Society, who in turn formed the Glace Bay Heritage Museum Society,which restored the courtroom and council chambers as well as opening a heritage museum on the site.

Despite Valient efforts to refurbish the financial pressures forced the Historical Society to abandon its efforts in 1997 and vacate the Old Town Hall. By that time Glace Bay had ceased to exist as an independent municipal unit and by 1995 had become but one of a numer of island communities that were amalgamated as the Municipality of the County of Cape Breton. In 1999, the Municipality decided to tear down Glace Bay's now vacant Old Town Hall.

Glace Bay Heritage Museum Society

Facing the loss of one of the last remaining heritage properities in a town that was once known as "Canada's largest" , moved citicenz of the former mining community to rise up in opposition to the Municipality's proposed destruction. They insisted that this important piece of Glace Bay's proud past must be saved. From the ranks of the hundreds of "Bay Beys" who rallied to demand a reprieve for the Old Town Hall, the current Glace Bay Heritage Museum Society was born.

With assistance from the three levels of government, with support from the corporate sector and through the generosity of countless individuals, in 2003, on the eve of the Old Town Hall's centennial, the Society fulfilled the first of its mandates when it re-opened the Old Town Hall and unveiled its Glace Bay Heritage Museum and Old Town Hall Gift Shop. With the ground floor re-stored, including the courtroom, the sociey has set its sights on the upper floors and recreating the former council chambers and jailer's living quarters.

Glace Bay Heritage Museum

The Glace Bay Heritage Museum celebrates a century of change, chronicling the everyday lives of its townsfolk. Anchored by dramatic displays dedicated to the town's founding industries, coal mining and fishing, the Museum is a testament to the struggles and triumphs of its people.

In the Old Town Hall where Glace Bay's past was forged, its story is being preserved so that future generations may understand and appreciate the rich history they share and those who walked these halls before them. From its growing collection of artifacts and photographs, and with assistance of the Glace Bay Historical Spcoety, the Museum creates the temporary theme-based exhibits that deliver slices of Glace Bay's history.

The Old Town Hall Gift Shop

An integral part of the Heritage Museum is the Old Town Hall Gift Shop located in the former Town Clerk's office. Celebrating the creative spirit of local artists and artisans who offer unique, handmade treasures- jewellery, toys and games, woodworking, pottery and paintings - the shop also features a collection of Old Town Hall memorabilia and an interesting selection of Maritime literature, including many books written by Cape Breton authors.

The Gift Shop also functions as a Tourist information Center and visitors can obtain maps and brochures from the freindly Gift Shop staff.

The Glace Bay heritage Museum Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Glace Bay's rich, mulricultural heritage. A registered charity, the Society is a dependent oin the generosity of its patrons and freinds for support.

Through various fundraisers such as yard sales, plant sales, dances and a second hand book store, the Museum is able to remain active. Along with the generous support of the people of Glace Bay, the Museum remains an essential aspect of Glace Bay's heritage.

Coal Miner's Memorial

The town's memorial to its deceased coal miners is located on the museum grounds.

Some items contained in the museum are:

* Central School "1988" Time Capsule
* Joey Mullins' (Olympic Runner 1950 Olympics) original running shoes
* Extensive mining photographs and artifacts
* Collection of yearbooks and yearly alamanacs
* Fishing artifacts

External links

The Glace Bay Heritage Museum website on the Government of Nova Scotia's Museums Website:
* [http://museum.gov.ns.ca/musdir/glacebayheritagemuseum.htm Glace Bay Heritage Museum]