The Future of Our Past Council of Nova Scotia Archives

 Dartmouth Heritage Museum

The Dartmouth Heritage Museum Society was established by citizens of the community concerned with preserving material evidence of Dartmouth's past. The opening of the MacDonald Bridge in 1955 precipitated a building boom in the Dartmouth area that lead to the re-development of many downtown heritage properties. The Dartmouth Heritage Museum opened in 1968. It was established by the City of Dartmouth, as a Centennial year project. The collection of the Dartmouth Heritage Museum, which includes an archival component, is reflective of the community in its broadest sense. The Museum also operates two historic houses, Evergreen and Quaker House. The archives houses material from the municipal government as well as private papers from local families and businesses.

The operation of the Dartmouth Heritage Museum is currently in the process of being handed over by the Halifax Regional Municipality to the Dartmouth community. A new Dartmouth Heritage Museum Society has been established to undertake this role. The mandate of the institution remains very close to the original; interpretation and preservation of Dartmouth's past.

Below is an example of the type of record found in the Dartmouth Heritage Museum.

Octagon House, Dartmouth