Halifax Citadel, Legislature, Lieutenant Gov House

Friday, July 19, 2019

Halifax Citadel National Historic Site, Nova Scotia, Canada

This morning I was going to explore some of the historic locations in downtown Halifax for half a day. First was the Citadel a few blocks from where I was staying. It didnt open till 9am so I had to wait in the morning sun.

Entrance was $11 and there were summer students in uniform performing military drills. I remember once in a Fort in Niagara the students were too small for the uniforms.

The drills were taking some time so I went in to explore some of the museum. They had both World Wars as well as post war UN peacekeeping missions.

Back outside was a mock up of sail masts the cadets were practicing rigging. There were having a fake conversation about their day in 1800 following some script.

The site is big and they have different museum rooms in different sections so you have to keep looking. The lower levels were more historical about the British exploration and settlement.

A few blocks down my next stop was the Legislature of Nova Scotia. I'd been to Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia Legislatures before. Newfoundland was closed by appointment only on my visit.

There was a person giving me the tour as I was the only one. It was quite historic with some of the artwork. The old library used to be the courthouse.

A person accused of libel had to defend themselves as nobody else would. Surprisingly they won leading to freedom of the press.

A couple of blocks away were the old burial grounds dating back to the 1700s. Across was the Lieutenant Governors house. This is only open on certain days only and by guided tours so I was lucky today.

Tours run every half hour and entry is free. First we were taken into a Chinese foil wallpaper room. There is a Chippendale couch valued at $3m dollars.