Cape Breton Museums
• A WorldWeb.com Travel Guide to Museums in Cape Breton, Atlantic Canada.
Built in 1787, this was the residence of the Rev. Ranna Cossit, Sydney's first permanent Anglican minister. It is believed to be Sydney's oldest surviving house and features early New England colonial architecture and period furnishings.
Open June 1 - October 15, donations welcomed.
Acadian, cultural, genealogical and visitor information centre. The museum’s theme joins the story of the settlement of Cheticamp and the story of the hooked rugs. Guided tours. French spoken. Admission charged.
This museum offers the once-in-a-lifetime chance to tour an actual mine, Oceans Deep Colliery, with the help of true former miners. The authentic miner's village has a variety of displays and exhibits that reflect the lives and important contributions of coal miners. Browse through the miner's store and tour the home of an early miner.
The restored railway station (1895) exhibits the history of the S&L Railway, railway technology and marine artifacts. The original freight shed houses a working model of the line. Rolling stock includes two passenger cars (1881, 1914), a box car, tank car and caboose. The Roundhouse displays unique memorial quilts. Admission free, donations welcome.
Established in 1977, the museum presents the coal-mining history of the area, a tape collection on mining and a small archives. Artwork, photography and handcrafts are displayed in the annex gallery on a rotational basis.
This museum is dedicated to the early Scottish settlers of this area. There are ten historic buildings including houses, a mill, a schoolhouse and a forge. Costumed guides are on hand to answer questions.
Small display of relics of the Acadian people of this area. Demonstrations of wool carding, spinning, weaving and rug hooking. Craft shop featuring locally-made hooked rugs. Acadian-style food served. French spoken. Admission free, donations welcome.
In the former train station. Focus is on the history and heritage of the town of Sydney Mines, steel making and coal mining. 300-million-year-old plant fossils from the Sydney coal field. Fossil museum opening July 2004.
Interpretive exhibits illustrating the way of life experienced by the early settlers of northern Cape Breton. Exhibits include gypsum quarry, stores, church histories, shipwrecks, furnishings, school and transportation. Extensive genealogy centre and archives and information centre. Admission $2 donations welcome.
The Ecology of Bras d'Or exhibit provides visitors with insight into the complex ecological systems of the region.
Available at the centre is information regarding the salty lakes' species, tides and ocean channels.
Pjila’si (Welcome) to the Wagmatcook Cultural Centre, where visitors can experience the rich culture and history of the Mi’kmaq people of the tranquil and majestic Cape Breton. The centre has a museum, a craft shop, a restaurant and several meeting spaces.
Dr. Elizabeth LeFort Gallery and Museum: Les Trois Pignons
As well as being an Acadian cultural and geneological information centre, this houses some of the work of the world famous Dr LeFort who created more than 300 wool tapestries.
LeNoir Forge Museum
Restored 18th-century French stone blacksmith shop, located on the beautiful Arichat waterfront. Admission free, donations welcome.
Cape Breton Centre for Heritage and Science
The Centre for Heritage and Science is open year-round and features a variety of permanent and changing exhibits, which delineate the history and culture of Cape Breton Island. Displays for children are offered in Discovery Corner.
Gut of Canso Museum and Archives
History comes alive in this 100-year-old Cape Breton house overlooking the Canso Strait that features the Pioneer Room, commerce room (local history), family room and early hobbies and pastimes. Displays on the construction of the world’s deepest man-made causeway and its impact on the railroad, ferry and lives of families in the area. Main floor wheelchair-accessible. Admission free, donations appreciated.
St. Patrick's Church Museum
The oldest Roman Catholic church on Cape Breton Island, erected in 1828 in the Pioneer Gothic style of architecture, this restored stone building now houses artifacts depicting the history of Sydney. Admission by donation.
Main-a-Dieu Fisherman's Museum
Visit the ship replica on the grounds of the museum. See & read all about the local history of fishing in Main-ŕ-Dieu and area, the lobsterland of the Maritimes. Admission free, donations welcome.
Chestico Museum & Historical Society
The former Harbourview School houses museum artifacts and historical/genealogical records related to early settlers of the Port Hood area. Admission free, donations welcome.
Glace Bay Heritage Museum
Vibrant heritage museum in the restored former Old Town Hall (c 1903). Exhibits include Glace Bay Harbour c 1940 during the heyday of swordfishing, and a working pit pony; rotating displays on day-to-day life.
Margaree Salmon Museum
Exhibits relate to salmon angling on the Margaree River. In a former schoolhouse, excellent collections of fishing tackle, photos and memorabilia of famous anglers. Admission adults $1, children 25˘.
The Jost House
The Jost House, circa 1786, was purchased by Thomas Jost in 1836. Jost was a Halifax merchant and his family remained on the property until 1971. Today the house is filled with Victorian artifacts and each room features a different theme. The kitchen is housed in the basement with a cooking fireplace and a beehive bake-oven. Local collections can be found within the house, as well as 20th century medicinals.
Cape Breton Retreat
The Normaway Inn, Cabins & Suites
The first choice for fine food, music and lodging on the Cabot Trail!
Vacation Resort
Vacation Packages
Island Sunset Resort
A beautiful Cape Breton cottage resort located on Nova Scotia's stunning Cabot Trail!
