• Anything to Declare? Part 2 - Reflections on Immigration and Customs Experiences at Pier 21
    by Jan Raska, PhD, Historian (Updated October 2, 2020) Introduction My last blog, Anything to Declare? Part 1 - Immigration and Customs since Confederation , introduced the historic role of customs officials in Canada and shared some of the amusing and odd anecdotal inquiries received from …
  • Historical Thinking (5) : Analyze Cause and Consequence
    by Steven Schwinghamer, Historian (Updated January 28, 2022) The fourth element of historical literacy identified by the Historical Thinking Project ( www.historicalthinking.ca ) is the analysis of causes and consequences . Sorting out causes and consequences is one of the most common sources of …
  • Historical Thinking (6) : Take Historical Perspectives
    by Steve Schwinghamer, Historian (Updated January 28, 2022) The Historical Thinking Project ( www.historicalthinking.ca ) points to the importance of taking of historical perspectives as part of constructing and understanding histories. It is a central part of historical work. It seems facile to …
  • The Pier Goes To War: Halifax’s Pier 21 and the Second World War
    by Steve Schwinghamer, Historian (Updated January 28, 2022) Aerial view of Ocean Terminals c. 1940. Credit: Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 Collection (DI2013.1197.1) As Canada prepared for war in late 1939, the advantages of Halifax’s port were considered of value for military purposes. …
  • Frequently Asked Questions
    Can I search for an immigration record on the Museum’s website? No, the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 does not have immigration records on the website. The Scotiabank Family History Centre staff use a variety of internal and external sources to locate immigration records, manifests and …
  • Share your story
    Your immigration story is part of what defines us as a country. We are eager to hear from anyone with a story related to Canadian immigration. Personal and family experiences of immigration are an important part of everything we do and you can help the Museum's Story Collection grow by sharing …
  • Pier 21 Club
    Members of the Pier 21 Club commit to an annual leadership gift of $2,100 or more. We are seeking new members. A famous Lebanese Poet, Gibran Khalil Gibran, once said, ‘I felt in my heart to give a little because I was given so much.’ That is why I give, and Pier 21 is a wonderful place to support. …
  • Ways to Give
    Make a donation Help us build the story of the COUNTLESS JOURNEYS that define Canada. Donate Legacy Gifts Adding the Museum to your will is a simple process with a lasting impact. Pier 21 Club Donate $2100+ annually and join our leadership giving circle. Sobey Wall of Honour Commemorate the arrival …
  • Donor Impact
    Passages The Summer edition of the Museum’s semiannual donor newsletter includes stories about: The 2023 Dumpling Summit Thousands of cruise passengers greeted by Museum volunteers A Dutch immigrant boy who became a titan of the arts in Canada One woman’s journey from living in Mexico to working at …
  • Welcome Home to Canada
    The WHTC program is supported by the R. Howard Webster Foundation and RBC Foundation . The Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 continues its tradition of welcoming newcomers to Canada. The Welcome Home to Canada (WHTC) program is a six month employability program for new immigrants to Canada. …