Macdonald Museum
21 School Street B0S 1P0 Middleton, NS, Canada

The Annapolis Valley Macdonald Museum is housed in the first Consolidated School in Canada. Consolidation meant that smaller schools in the area closed and sent there pupils here. This school, built in 1903, was unique from others in the area in many ways. One being that it provided transportation to and from school at designated pick up spots. These photos depict the winter van they used as a school bus and the carriage they used in warmer weather. The Annapolis Valley Ma...cdonald Museum is proud to have a replica of the original carriage pictured in photo 2. Photo 1 - After 1903 - winter van, Macdonald Consolidated School Photo 2 - Circa 1902 - School wagon, Macdonald Consolidated School Photo 3 - Circa 1980's, replica of original school wagon (feat. photo 2). Photos to be used for educational or personal use only. Annapolis Valley Macdonald Museum must be credited.

Thank you all for your continued support! We might be closed for now, but we'll hopefully be back in the spring with great new exhibits and our Market!

Macdonald Museum will be closed to the Public until April 2021. Please read the letter below for details. Thank you to everyone for your support. Hello to all Museum Friends and Supporters, The Board of the Annapolis Valley Historical Society and I have discussed the future of the Museum moving forward this coming year and we have come to a hard decision. In order to cover the operating expenses of the Museum for this current fiscal year (April 2020 to March 2021) it is nece...Continue reading

The Old Middleton Firehall A fire department in Middleton, NS dates back to the late 1890's when the community commissioned a water supply to be installed. Fire hydrants first appeared in the town in 1897 and the first Firehall was built in 1898 on the west side of School St. The style of the Firehall is Modified Greek Revival. it is a 1 1/2 storey wood construction with an Ell on the back and a cupola on the roof on the gable peak. This building is one of the few pre 1900 ...public structures that still remain standing in Middleton. The volunteer fireman were appointed annually by the county council until after the town incorporated in 1909. After this firemen were appointed by Town council. Telephone bells were put into each fireman's home which could be sounded by turning a crank on any one of the bell boxes. Over the years the Middleton fire department responded to many calls out of this Firehall, including the great fire of 1911 which was able to be contained to the southern end of Commerical St, Middleton. In 1932 the fire department received their first motorized pumper truck a 1932 Chev, which is still owned by the Fire Department to this day. The Old Middleton Firehall is now part of the Annapolis Valley Macdonald Museum complex. Photo 1 - The Old Middleton Firehall circa 2015 Photo 2 - Snowball fight in front of Old Middleton Firehall (left) and Former Middleton School (right) circa 1910 Photo 3 - Middleton Fire Dept. first motorized pumper, 1932 Chev. Circa 1957 All photos and information is for educational and personal use only. The Annapolis Valley Macdonald Museum must be credited.

The Former Middleton School Prior to the construction of the Macdonald Consolidated School pupils across the Middleton area met in various halls and in the last wooden school that was built in 1892. This building was located just east of the structure that now serves as the Annapolis Valley Macdonald Museum. This building served as Town Hall for Middleton from 1909 to 1936 when it was demolished. Students were taught here likely until 1904 because the Macdonald Consolidated ...School was not completed for the fall session of 1903. Photo 1 - Former Middleton School on left, Macdonald Consolidated on right circa 1904 Photo 2 - Horse and Carriage in front of Middleton School on left, Macdonald Consolidated on right circa 1903 - 1936 Photo 3 - Snowball fight in front of old Fire hall on left and old Middleton School on right circa 1910 Photo 4 - South Facade facing North of the Former Middleton School, circa 1892 to 1903 Photo 5 - Children at desks with Ms. Clara Palmer at back, inside former Middleton School, circa 1902 Photo 6 - Original school desk from the former Middleton School circa 1892 - 1903 Photo 7 - Original school desk from the former Middleton School circa 1892 - 1903 All information is for educational and personal use only. The Annapolis Valley Macdonald Museum must be credited.

The West Nova Scotia Regiment We would like to start off by thanking all of those who have served and continue to serve for our Country, thank you. Here at the Annapolis Valley Macdonald Museum, on permanent display, is an exhibit on the West Nova Scotia Regiment. ... The West Nova Scotia Regiment has existed in the Annapolis Valley and South Shore areas since its inception in 1936. However the roots of the W.N.S.R. go back further, to the Annapolis Regiment (1869) and the Lunenburg Regiment (1870). These Regiments later formed the W.N.S.R. Prior to the Annapolis and South Shore Regiments, were more local regiments such as the 40th Regiment of Foot at Annapolis Royal (1717). The early regiments were responsible for the local defense of the citizens of the Valley. Most recently, soldiers of the West Nova Scotia Regiment fought in the War in Afghanistan in such numbers as to merit a new battle honour for the regiment. The exhibit on display at the museum recognizes the continuous service to Canada and Canadians provided by the West Novas and their predecessors. The museums exhibit includes displays on - West Novas in WW2, Scout sniper Platoon, West Novas in the Afghanistan War, West Novas with outstanding careers and West Novas in the Devil’s Brigade (Canada-US Special Service Force) Make sure to check out this exhibit next spring when the Museum reopens! All information is for educational and personal use only. The Annapolis Valley Macdonald Museum and the West Nova Scotia Regiment must be credited.

Round Hill Saw Mill Forestry was a main source of income for many people that lived in the Round Hill, NS area. Round Hill is located between the towns of Annapolis Royal and Bridgetown, on HWY 201.... Photo 1 - photo depict a Log Train that ran through Round Hill to pick up logs. Photo 2 - Saw Mill located in Round Hill on back it has "Sandy Darqie(?) Wood crew, Round Hill" written. Names of individuals are unknown. Disclaimer - Photos must only be used for educational or personal use only. Annapolis Valley Macdonald Museum must be credited.

In honor of Halloween this weekend here are some related artifacts in our collection! These date from the early to mid 20th Century Happy Halloween from the Annapolis Valley Macdonald Museum! Photos to be used for educational or personal use only. Annapolis Valley Macdonald Museum must be credited.

Victorian Hair Wreath This Victorian hair wreath came into our collection in 1985. It was made by a local individual between 1837 - 1901. This hair wreath is open at the top. This symbolized that the woman who weaved this wreath was still alive. They are open at the top in order to allow the weavers soul to ascend to heaven when she dies. 'Hair Art' was hugely popular due to the Victorian obsession with their own mortality and death in general. It was a way of leaving a leg...acy if one should die or if one had already passed away. This hair wreath was how the weaver wanted to be remembered when she died. Once the weaver of a hair wreath died members of their family would use some their deceased relatives hair to close the opening. Notice on this wreath the opening and the small piece in the center. This piece would have most likely been made after the makers death by her relatives. Photos to be used for educational or personal use only. Annapolis Valley Macdonald Museum must be credited.

A.L. Hardy - Valley Photographer One of the most notable photographers of his era, from the Annapolis Valley, is that of A.L. Hardy. Amos Lawson Hardy was born on the South Shore of Nova Scotia in October of 1860. His photography career began in 1892 and ran for 43 years until his death in 1935. A. L. Hardy with help from his brother Irad Hardy began the task of converting a former candy store into a photography gallery, in Kentville. Hardy is not believed to have had any f...ormal training as a photographer. Today very few people know this name nor know the immense importance his photography has in documents life and natural beauty across the Annapolis Valley and the Province as a whole. His work focused primarily on the Annapolis Valley and he published his notable book titled "Evangeline Land" in 1906. After Hardy's death in 1935 the business was purchased by 'H.H.REID', a photographer from Windsor. The Annapolis Valley Macdonald Museum is proud to showcase a couple images taken and developed by A.L.Hardy. The images you see below were found by an individual on her trip through Lynn, Massachusetts. It is unknown where or when there photos were taken. Photo one contains barrels with the name "H.S. ELLS" on them. Do you or anyone you know have an A.L. Hardy photograph? If you would like to see a copy of A.L.Hardy's book 'Evangeline Land' visit - https://novascotia.ca/archives/tourism/archives.asp Photo one - on back it reads "barrel reads 'H.S.ELLS' Our crop is 170,000 barrels less then last year. This is a very common scene for miles around in the Annapolis Valley. Other valleys carrying on the same activity are Pereuax Valley, Gaspereaux Valley and Annapolis Valley. A panorama view from the Look-Off near Wolfville is worth a visit in itself." Photo 2 - on back it reads "Kentville is seven miles from Wolfville, nearly 2000 tons pass through these two towns every week." All images and information is for educational and personal use only. The Annapolis Valley Macdonald Museum must be credited. Sources used - Annapolis Valley Macdonald Museum Archives Wynn, G. (1985). "Images of the Acadian Valley": The Photographs of Amos Lawson Hardy. Acadiensis, 15(1), 59. Retrieved from https://journals.lib.unb.ca/index.p/Acadiensis//view/12081

Needlework Sampler The Annapolis Valley Macdonald Museum has a very extensive collection of fabric, textiles and needlework. One of the highlighted pieces in our collection is that of Chloe Lincoln's Needlework Sampler. It was showcased at the exhibition "A Record of Time" held at the Nova Scotia Art Gallery, Halifax, NS. The medium for this sampler is silk on linen. The top is the alphabet in all capital letters followed by the name "Chloe Lincoln", "May 26, 1790" and "bor...n August 17, 1765". Below the text are numbers 1 through 10 and a geometric design. A needlework sampler is a piece of embroidery made to show the maker's skills in needlework. It often includes the name of the maker and the date. Photos to be used for educational or personal use only. Annapolis Valley Macdonald Museum must be credited.

Louis Jeremy Louis Jeremy was a local Mi'kmaq artist/craftsman in the Annapolis Valley for many years in the early to mid 20th century. He was reportedly born in Brickton, Annapolis County, Nova Scotia on May 15, 1867, but lived in Tupperville, Annapolis County as a child and young man. Others say he was born in New Brunswick. He took his sister, Rebecca to live on a reservation in Maine, leaving at night and crossing the Bay of Fundy in a canoe. He returned to Annapolis in ...the 1930's, evidently living at Bloody Creek (otherwise known as L'sni'skwek) around 1934 and even in Middleton (otherwise known as A'qatie'katik). There are conflicting reports as to where he lived at the time of his death with one write-up stating he was in Tupperville (where he and Rebecca had a camp) and one stating Aylesford, Kings County (otherwise known as Kopitek). His age is also not certain, but it is estimated he was 80 years old when he died of cancer in 1947. Jeremy is buried in the Roman Catholic Cemetery in Kingston, NS. Rebecca made sweet grass baskets whereas Louis made many things such as trays, photo frames, boxes, bowls, pipes, miniatures shoes and canoes and even violins. Most of his work was done in wood finished in light colours, often with a natural design burned into the surface. It is said that Jeremy had a great sense of humor. It is believed that he frequently would travel via canoe to New Brunswick. Here are two artifacts that were hand carved by Jeremy himself! The hand carved bowl with a nature design was found at an I.O.D.E. rummage sale between 1940 - 1950 and later donated to the Annapolis Valley Macdonald Museum. Photos 1 - 4 -Photos of hand carved bowl by Louis Jeremy Photos 5-8 -Photos of hand carved pipe by Louis Jeremy Photo 9 - photo of Louis Jeremy If you would like to learn more about the Mi'kmaw place names please visit https://www.mapdev.ca/placenames/ If you would like to see more of Louis Jeremy's carvings across the Museums in Nova Scotia please visit http://www.novamuse.ca/Gallery/286 All images and information is intended for educational and personal use only. The Annapolis Valley Macdonald Museum must be credited. Sources used: Esri (2019). Mi'kmaw Place Names. Retrieved August 11, 2020, from https://www.mapdev.ca/placenames/ Barteaux, S. (2010). My Bay of Fundy Home. Port George. Annapolis Valley Macdonald Museum, NS.

It was a privilege to host Geraldine Browning at Macdonald Museum. The following is a post from our good friend Larry Powell. 'I remember talking with Geraldine Browning at the Macdonald Museum in Middleton. She had spoken for an hour to a packed room. The audience literally laughed and cried. I did a video of the talk. And I wrote this story. After listening to Geraldine, I realized I know nothing about hardship. I know nothing about racism. I do know that Geraldine is a true hero in Nova Scotia. Standing beside Geraldine, her hand holding my arm, I felt like I was standing beside God. Stephen McNeil apologized to African Nova Scotians today. It may have been his finest hour.' Lawrence Powell

Annapolis Iron Mining Company The Brick Buildings depicted in the right of these images are part of the foundry established in the 1800's by Annapolis Iron Mining Company (A.I.M.C.) beside the Moose River in Clementsport. "Moose River...In 1827 the old wooden bridge built around 1800 was replaced by a handsome stone bridge and dam for the Annapolis Iron Mining Company" This bridge still stands, and is used for highway traffic, but is no longer used as a dam. (Sutherland... 1956, 41) Photo 1 - PC 352.b - Post Card, Clementsport, NS circa 1907 All images and information is intended for educational and personal use only. The Annapolis Valley Macdonald Museum must be credited. Sutherland, I. M. (1956). Clements Township - Its History and its People, 1783 - 1870. Thesis. Acadia University. Annapolis Valley Macdonald Museum Archives. Pg 41.

Leonie Cummings - History Teacher, Author, and Founder of the Rusty Nail Collection Leonie Cummings was born in Matapedia, Quebec. She was a graduate of MacDonald College, McGill College and studied at the Ontario College of Art. Cummings began her teaching career in 1949 at Middleton Regional High School as a History Teacher. For fourteen years she inspired her young students with a love of country and an appreciation for their local heritage. Cummings and her junior high... students became widely known for a historic project, The Rusty Nail Exhibit, a collection of over 500 artifacts. She was an instrumental figure in the establishment of the Annapolis Valley Macdonald Museum, where the Rusty Nail Collection is now located. Later in life Cummings took up crafts, especially pottery. She is most famous for her pottery figurine titled " Johnathan" with her accompanying book "Johnathan, Jessup, Sampson, Small." These both were used in classroom studies across Nova Scotia. Cummings passed away in 1989 at the age of 85. Depicted here is just a portion of the wide variety of pottery and books done by Cummings, located at the Annapolis Valley Macdonald Museum. Photo 1 - Portrait of Leonie Cummings Photo 2 - Figurine titled "Johnathon" Photo 3 - Front cover of book titled "Johnathon Jessup Sampson Small Photo 4 - Bell made for the opening of the Macdonald Museum Photo 5 - Worry stone pendant with a farm scene on it Photo 6 - Figurine titled "Johnathon Toadstool" Photos to be used for educational or personal use only. Annapolis Valley Macdonald Museum must be credited.