Statement from the Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage

Museums play a key role in preserving and sharing our heritage. To protect that work for future generations, we’re taking steps to modernize the Nova Scotia Museum system.

Nova Scotia has more provincial museum sites than any other province. With 28 sites and more than 240 buildings, the system has grown complex and increasingly difficult to maintain. As a result, we need to focus our efforts where they will make the most difference.  

This is why we’ve made the decision to close 12 of our sites: Cossit House, Lawrence House, McCulloch House, Perkins House, Prescott House, Ross-Thomson House, Shand House, Barrington Woolen Mill, Sutherland Steam Mill, Wile Carding Mill, Fisherman’s Life Museum and North Hills Museum.

We considered several factors in deciding which sites to close, including attendance and changing visitor expectations. In total, Nova Scotia Museum sites receive about 500,000 visitors each year. The 12 sites that are closing account for only 3 per cent of those visits, with some drawing fewer than 1,000 visitors annually.

These are difficult decisions, and we recognize the impact on employees and their families. We’re grateful for their service and the care they’ve shown in sharing the stories that reflect our province. 

Protecting Nova Scotia’s heritage remains our priority. These changes will ensure our museum system is sustainable and can continue serving visitors for years to come.