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Nova Scotia Archives
Category: Public Services & Government Libraries Libraries [Edit]
6016 University AveHalifax, NS B3H 1W4
(902) 424-6060
- Hours:
Mon-Tue, Thu-Sat 9 am - 5 pm
Wed 9 am - 9 pm
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
One review for Nova Scotia Archives
1 review in English
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Review from Ben B.
9/17/2011 1 Check-in Here
Before I even get to my review of the good ole Archives, I need to claim bragging rights on nabbing the FTR (first to review) AND hitting my 400th review. So if I accomplish nothing else today, at least I have that.
The Archives. Easily one of the coolest social media accounts to follow in Atlantic Canada, always a lovely area of town to visit with its wide streets and beautiful trees, and often overlooked because people don't really understand why they'd ever go to visit.
I was the same until I started work on a creative writing project focusing on a piece of land with a long history out toward Wellington. I was hoping to contrast my modern day experiences there with stories from its previous residents which, at the time, I was likely going to have to make up. Lo and behold, my Indiana Jones-style journey took me from one historian to the next, chasing a rumoured series of handwritten journals maintained for over a hundred years by the family who immigrated from Europe to settle on that exact spot. Where could I find them? The Archives, of course!
I went, I found, and I sat almost shaking with disbelief that anyone is just allowed to sit down and flip through such incredible records of the past. I was able to snap photos, make notes in my own journals, and visit over and over until the project was complete - and then once after to pay some tortured artist's respects.
Outside of my very specific find, this building is a hotbed of history ranging from photos and maps to personal family histories and encounters. In fact, they probably have so much tucked away within their walls that we could all be surprised by what we'd find!
Parking is usually pretty easy, front desk staff are helpful at getting you set up with a visitor's pass, and free to visit (from what I remember but I could be wrong...) for whatever purpose brings you in.
One star withheld only because it's not exactly easy to navigate unless you know what you're doing and as a result the incredibly knowledgeable staff are also highly sought-after by every other visitor. Unlike waiting for staff as they find a different size for someone at a store, giving good customer service at the Archives certainly takes time so you need to be up for a bit of a wait as you jockey to find what you're looking for. Not a complaint - but just something to keep in mind!Listed in: Graveyards, Monuments, and…
Specialties
Nova Scotia Archives acquires, preserves and makes available the province's documentary heritage -- recorded information of provincial significance created or accumulated by government and the private sector over the last 300 years.
One of Canada's oldest archival institutions, we maintain a strong tradition of client service. Each year we assist thousands of researchers and general-interest visitors, both on site and online, in finding out more about themselves, their families, their communities and their province.
History
Established in 1929
The Public Archives was established in 1929 as a crown agency separate from and independent of the public service. The Public Archives commenced operations in 1931 on completion of a building to house it and the appointment of a provincial archivist. Its principal role was to provide a home for historical public records, which had been vested in the province in right of Her Majesty since the first Public Records Act was passed in 1861.
Meet the Manager: Lauren O.
I'm a Public Information Officer with the Nova Scotia Archives. I help people to connect with the province's past via web exhibits, social media, and fun events. If you have any questions, I'm happy to help!
