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History of the Atlantic Canada Aviation Museum
 The Atlantic Canada Aviation Museum is Atlantic Canada's only museum
devoted to preserving all aspects of Atlantic Canada's aviation
heritage. Granted "Local Museum" status by the Nova Scotia Museum in
1989, it is owned and operated by local volunteers since its inception
in 1977.
Both civilian and military aviation history is depicted in the
extensive displays found within our facility. Included are hundreds of
artifacts, large and small, from books, badges and uniforms to engines
and aircraft. Designed to be informative, from a heritage standpoint, a
visitor will leave with a greater knowledge of aviation. From the
earliest balloons and gliders up to modern aircraft.
Atlantic Canada has a rich aviation heritage, beginning with the first
powered flight in Canada and the British Empire in 1909. However, it is
a heritage that, until the formation of the Atlantic Canada Aviation
Museum and our sister organizations at Shearwater and Greenwood, was
largely forgotten. Indeed, many priceless artifacts have been removed
from the area, never to return. It was the recognition of this loss
that lead to the formation of our Museum. Initially restricted to
shopping center displays and storing of many items at CFB Shearwater,
the Museum moved to its present location in 1986, with the co-operation
of the province of Nova Scotia.
Over the next ten years, our Museum has continued to grow as did our
visions for the future. During this time we sought and received a great
deal of encouragement and support from a large number of individuals,
corporate sponsors and government agencies. With their support and the
efforts of our dedicated volunteers, we were able to construct and
open a 100' x 140' hangar in the fall of 1995. Attached to the existing
original building it provided the museum with an additional 14,000
square feet of exhibit space. We now showcase a wide selection of
aircraft, engines, armaments and other artifacts. All within a half
hour drive of downtown Halifax.
 Visitors to the museum will be impressed with our attractive,
informative displays, which they can browse through at their leisure.
Our Museum also features a gift shop which sells the expected aviation
souvenirs and some of the more traditional knick-knacks sought by
visitors to our wonderful province. We also have ample parking, set in
an attractive natural element complete with picnic tables to lunch on.
Over the years we have been visited by thousands of people and judging
by the comments in our guest book, they have not been disappointed.
The Atlantic Canada Aviation Museum, now and in the past, has been
blessed with a growing group of resourceful and enthusiastic people who
contribute countless hours of their own personal time restoring and
displaying our aviation treasures. With the exception of a few students
employed in the summer months, the Atlantic Canada Aviation Museum is a
volunteer organization and is strictly non-profit. Any funds that we
raise are turned back into the growth and further development of our
beloved museum. Membership at the Museum is not limited to pilots and
aircrew, in fact, many of our members have only one common bond - the
love of aviation!
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