• A mystery, archival film footage, an old suitcase, and a 75th anniversary
    The Leegwater suitcase, donated to the Museum shortly before its opening 25 years ago. Museum staff had noticed something strange in the Pier 21 exhibition - a discrepancy in dates. In a display case, amongst a collection of luggage brought by people immigrating to Canada through the Halifax …
  • Josef and Elfrieda
    Josef & Elfrieda Gabriel originally resided in a small village known as Staffelstein, in the Oberfranken area of Bavaria, Germany. They were newly married in 1952, with Josef having apprenticed for and certified as a skilled carpenter in this highly sought-after trade in Germany’s re-build …
  • shalan joudry
    shalan joudry …
  • Conciliation and peaceful futures through art
    shalan joudry (pictured onstage) is the author of the the poem Kmɨtkinu, which was adapted into a dance piece with collabotors Sarah Prosper, Susanne Chui, Sara Coffin, Isaac Abriel, Robert Azevedo, I'thandi Munro, Sam Penner and NAT Chantel. Photo by Kevin MacCormack “We are not the only ones …
  • A History Exposed: The Enslavement of Black People in Canada
    August 1, 2024 to January 5, 2025 For many, Canada’s connection to slavery is the Underground Railroad. Little-known by Canadians is what happened before the Underground Railroad when, for over two centuries, the majority of Black people in Canada were slaves. Slavery played a significant role in …
  • Uta Maria Heine Sonier
    Of Coming Into My Inheritance (Pier 21, Halifax in February 1952) New beginnings in a new country in a new year. Mother busy with us, visas, and the packages Rolled down the gangplank in baby’s ancient carriage. Helpful hands pushed us onwards to the railroad station Into the Traveller’s Aid office …
  • The Museum is a March-Break Must-Do
    The city is a great place to spend March break if you can find the right things to do. And, because the week is sponsored by Emera, everything we're offering this March Break is complimentary , including: Movement programming Cooking workshops (space limited, register to reserve your place Access …
  • Towards a Foreign Land
    From A New Country to a Young Canada Yugoslav Immigration in the 1920s February 22 to May 5, 2024 Guest curator Milovan Mracevich explores the lives of Yugoslav citizens who came to Canada in the 1920s. Drawing upon photographs and documents contained in the files of Yugoslav citizens who turned to …
  • Reflections on a Green Door II Early Days
    "But Why Would You Leave the Boston States?" This was a question I came to expect in the early 1970’s when I met new people in communities around St. Margaret’s Bay where I have lived for most of my life. In our tours of the Pier 21 section of the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 we talk …
  • Carmen Nellie Joe e Tom Di Falco
    CARMEN NELLIE JOE E TOM DI FALCO My great uncle Carmelo Di Falco was one of five brothers, Salvatore, Giovanni, Emanuele and Giorgio (who was my grandfather and my mom, Giorgia’s father). He was the only one, at the time, leaving Ibla in search of a place to call home. Alone my great uncle took the …