Row, Row, Row Your Boat (The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic)

Member Name: waterlilly

Product:	The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic
Date:	18/10/09 (85 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Lots of interesting information and models

Disadvantages: If the person you're with really wants to look at every single piece you'll be there for awhile.

My husband and I have been visiting my family in Canada and recently found ourselves faced with a rainy Sunday morning in Halifax. Years ago I went to the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic and remembered it as being warm and dry which were my two major priorities at the time so off we went for a visit. As it was the first weekend in October we did not face crowds of any sort but I am sure it can get more crowded during July and August.

THE ESSENTIALS

The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic is on the Halifax waterfront on Lower Water St. There is a bus stop located directly in front of the building and public pay and display parking just up the road. We happened to be staying at the Marriot Hotel on the Halifax Waterfront so it was about a 5 minute walk up the road. It is open seven days a week during the high season which is May-October. November- April they close on Mondays. If you're trying to visit around Christmas or Easter it would be best to check ahead of time. Entry rates also vary depending on whether or not it is the busy season. Children under five are free except for the major school holiday in March when only two and under are free. There are special rates for families, school groups, ESL students and season passes. When we visited it was $8.75 Canadian per adult which included a visit aboard the "Acadia". For another $2 you could also visit the "Sackville". Both ships are docked right by the museum.

THE MUSEUM

The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic began with a small collection in another part of Halifax in 1952 and has grown to be the largest Maritime Museum in Canada with a truly impressive range of exhibits about Canada's naval, shipping, fishing and recreational history on the seas. To clarify when Canadians refer to "the Maritimes" it refers to the coastal region along the Atlantic in general and the provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island specifically. We managed to spend about two hours browsing the displays despite the fact that we did not read every detail. I would say this is a great spot for older children and adults but does lack much to keep small children occupied for long.

The newest exhibit at the Maritime Museum is all about Tugboats, which I have a soft spot for as one of my favourite childhood books was about Scruffie the Tugboat. It focuses on the tugboats and their crews that were employed in the Halifax harbour over the years, some of whom died while on duty. This area has a fun wooden replica in which you can have your photo taken. There is also a computer simulator that challenges you, as the tugboat, to safely dock a huge container ship. My husband spent 7 or 8 minutes playing with the simulator as there was no crowd at all when we were there.

In the large two-story high, glassed room facing the harbour is the Small Craft Room which houses about two dozen replicas of various types of wooden boats used around the Maritime region of Canada in the course of its history. I am not a sailor and really have no background knowledge of or specific interest in boats but some of the boats in the Small Craft Room are absolutely beautiful. I did more photo taking than sign reading, but I do remember a very cool wooden lifeboat amongst the collection.

There is an extensive collection of model cruise ships in the museum which specifically looks at the Cunard cruise line. This leads into the Titanic exhibit which looks at both the history of the ship and its role in popular history. Some may be interested in watching the film that they offer on the Titanic as well though we passed on it for this trip.

I think one of the most impressive and lovingly crafted exhibit is that of the Halifax Explosion. Most Brits will be unfamiliar with the devastating events that occurred in Halifax in the middle of World War I. In December 1917 two ships collided in Halifax Harbour and one caught fire. Many watched the blaze from shore unaware that the ship was loaded with explosives. The blast devastated the city with about 1,900 dead, 6000 homeless and hundreds maimed for life. The exhibit includes touching personal accounts of loss as well as the kindness and generosity of the state of Massachusetts which sent aid and temporary housing which wound up lasting for decades. My husband, who had never heard of the event, found this section particularly interesting.

Along side some of the very serious history of ship wrecks, explosions and warfare is a delightful little collection; Theodore Tugboat's Big Harbour. Theodore Tugboat was kind of Canada's answer to Thomas the Tank Engine featuring boats, ships and other harbour machinery with distinct roles and personalities. The museum has the original models used for the show set up in a replica of the Halifax Harbour. There is information regarding the show and an area for watching bits of episodes. Guaranteed to put a little smile on your face.

CONCLUSION

The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic is a great way to stay occupied in Halifax if the weather does not behave itself or if you need a break from the blazing sun. On a first or short trip to Halifax I might suggest spending more time exploring outside but if you have a spare hour or two the museum is well worth a look. The facilities are clean and well lit. The staff were friendly and welcoming and the exhibits are interesting, even if you don't have a specific interest in boats.

Summary: A good way to spend a couple of hours in Halifax.