Museums of Inverness County

July 1, 2024

Pictured above are a few of Inverness County’s well loved museums. Not only are they popular with tourists, but they offer a lot to charm and interest the local resident too. Have a look what’s on offer over the next few pages, and plan your next visit!

An Drochaid (The Bridge)

11513 Highway 19, Mabou
902-945-2311

Open: June 23 – August 25, 2024
Hours of Operation:
Monday – closed
Tuesday, 12–4pm
Wednesday – Friday, 10am–5pm
Saturday & Sunday, 12–5pm
Open by request year-round, outside regular summer hours.

Housed in a building that was formerly a general store (c.1874), An Drochaid (The Bridge) Museum now serves as a centre for research and local music, Gaelic language activities, cultural activities, local artifacts, and genealogical and historical records. Throughout the year, An Drochaid (The Bridge) hosts a series of ceilidh concerts, storytelling, a Gaelic conversation group and lessons, and music and dance lessons. Bus tours are welcome.

Chestico Museum

8095 Route 19, Port Hood (Harbourview)
902-787-2244
chesticoplace.com

Open: June 3 – October 18, 2024
Hours of Operation:
Monday – Friday, 9am–5pm
During July and August also open on Saturdays, 11am–3pm

The former Harbourview School houses museum artifacts and historical/genealogical records that relate to the early settlers of the Port Hood area. The mission of the Chestico Museum has been to provide local residents and visitors to the area with a unique heritage experience. Port Hood’s marine heritage during the Age of Sail, its heyday as a coal mining town in the early 20th century and its status as the county seat and commercial centre for Inverness have all been sources for new displays over the years.

Celtic Music Interpretive Centre Archives

5471 Route 19, Judique
902-787-2708

Open: June 30 – October 18, 2024
Hours of Operation:
Tom Rankin Exhibit Room:
Sunday – Friday, 11am–5pm
Archives: 10am–2:30pm or by appointment. Sunday Ceilidhs
Sundays 1:30-5:00pm LIVE Music – Fiddle & Piano

Lunchtime Ceilidhs Monday – Friday (May 17-October 18) 11am-3pm
LIVE Music Demo – Fiddle & Piano
Food Service, Dine-in & Patio, Exhibits & Gift Shop

Please check Facebook and the CMIC website to confirm all dates and times.

The Centre collects documentary records and other archival materials, preserving memories and techniques, and promotes the tradition of Cape Breton music. The Archive houses documents, recordings, videos, photographs, letters, and items significant to the people, communities, and organizations of music tradition in a climate- controlled vault. Tours and workshops are available. Learn more in the Tom Rankin Interactive Exhibit Room, where you can pick up a fiddle and bow and capture the spirit. A restaurant and bar are on site.

Father John Angus Rankin Cultural Centre

4248 Highway 105, Glendale
902-625-3441

Open: Inquire locally for hours of operation.
Housed in the former Glebe House, the centre preserves and promotes the rich heritage of Glendale and surrounding area with local archives, photographs, videos, and audio tapes of historical and cultural significance to the Glendale area; kitchen ceilidhs; weaving classes; Gaelic lessons; accessible outdoor 24/7 Free Little Library.

Annual Glendale concert:
July 6th on the outdoor stage.

Inverness Miners’ Museum

Not opening this year

MacDonald House Museum and Heritage Site

3458 Highway 395, East Lake Ainslie
902-258-3317
macdonaldhousemuseum.ca

Open: June 30 – August 31, 2024
Hours of Operation:
Tuesday – Sunday, 10:30am–4:30pm

MacDonald House Museum overlooks beautiful Lake Ainslie and consists of a restored 1850s gothic style farmhouse, display barns, a restored one-room schoolhouse, a fine collection of early 1900s furniture and artifacts, displays of farm machinery and implements, hand woven fabric displays and much more.

Margaree Salmon Museum

60 East Big Intervale Road, North East Margaree
902-248-2848

Open: June 25 – October 15, 2024
Hours of Operation:
Thursday – Sunday, 9am–4pm

The Margaree Salmon Museum is located in a former schoolhouse in North East Margaree.
It aims to share the rich history of fishing on the Margaree River, a river which is still world renowned for its salmon. The museum also strives to educate visitors on the importance of conservation, in order to ensure the protection of fish stocks for future generations. The museum houses exhibits relating to salmon angling on the river, as well as an excellent collection of fishing tackle, photos and memorabilia of famous anglers. Practical information for anglers is also provided, including details on sport fishing regulations, local season dates and species identification

Mi-Carême Centre

51 Old Cabot Trail Road, Grand-Étang
902-224-1016
micareme.ca

Open: June 5 – June 30, 2024
Hours of Operation:
Wednesday – Sunday, 10am–5pm

Open: July 1 – August 31, 2024
Hours of Operation:
Daily, 10am–5pm

Open: September 1 – October 20, 2024
Hours of Operation:
Wednesday to Sunday, 10am–5pm

The Mi-Carême Centre is the only interpretive centre in Canada dedicated to the wonderfully whimsical Mi-Carême (Mid-Lent) celebration. A team of passionate guides will lead you in discovering the centuries-old fantastic and fun-filled Acadian tradition of the Mi-Carême, which is still celebrated every winter in the Grand Étang area.

Les Trois Pignons

15584 Cabot Trail, Chéticamp
902-224-2642
lestroispignons.com

Open: May 13 October 27, 2024
Hours of Operation:
8:30am–5pm (Open till 6pm in July and August)

Visit Les Trois Pignons for a special view into Acadian culture and the history of Chéticamp, a stunning collection of hooked rugs and antiquities, genealogy resource centre and library, and a full range of visitor information services. Guides will be happy to provide information on travel, services, activities, and tourist attractions in the area, as well as a large collection of tourist tips in the form of brochures, maps, guides, etc. Very knowledgeable on the Acadian community, they can help you make the most of your visit with information about local history, culture, and way of life.

Orangedale Railway Museum

1428 Orangedale Road, Orangedale
902-756-3384

Open: July 1 – September 2, 2024
Hours of Operation:
Daily, 10am–6pm

Built in 1886, this classic 19th century Intercolonial Railway styled structure was operational until 1990. Most artifacts are now displayed in the Freight Shed Gift Shop and several rail cars also on site. Station Master’s quarters are open by appointment.

Storytellers’ Gallery & Museum

5663 Highway 19, Judique

Open: July and August, 2024
Inquire locally for hours of operation. Check for events on Facebook.

This Museum is housed in a heritage building that was once a company house in the nearby community of Port Hood. It was Jack MacDougall’s Store for many years and now preserves and shares the history of Judique and district through the Suidaic Air an Urlar Historical and Cultural Society. On display are historical photographs and local artifacts of the area depicting lifestyles of the past and a collection of family histories.

Strait Area Museum

24 Highway 19, Port Hastings 902-625-1295

Open: May 17 – October 19, 2024
Hours of Operation:
Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm, Saturday & Sunday, 12–4pm

History comes alive in this modern museum overlooking the Strait of Canso. Displays on the construction of the Canso Causeway and its impact on the people and communities in the area, model ship display, local history, early 20th century lifestyle, railroads, and ferries. Extensive archives and materials for genealogical research available on-site. Personalized tours of the museum are given. Be sure to visit the gift shop, which features handmade products by local quilters, crafters, and woodworkers. Stop by the gazebo and enjoy an ice cream from the on-site ice cream barn on a hot summer day.

Whale Interpretive Centre

104 Harbour Road, Pleasant Bay
902-224-1411

Open: June 1 – October 15, 2024
Hours of Operation:
Daily, 9am–5pm

Children will enjoy the eye spy game in the kids’ corner and visitors of all ages can hear the whales and see a 3D life size model of a pilot whale while enjoying amazing harbour, beach, ocean, and mountain views. Information is displayed on local fishing and wildlife, trails, and businesses in the area. Shop in the marine and wildlife themed gift shop, with souvenirs and work from local artisans. Located next to local whale tours and picnic areas. Group Rates available. Bus Tours are welcome.