THE STORY OF THE OLD TOWN HALL
Situated in the heart of beautiful downtown Glace Bay, the Old Town Hall has been at the center of the community’s life for over a century. Within a year of Glace Bay’s incorporation as a town, in 1901, construction began on the three-story red brick building plus the attic and basement. Built to house the offices of the new municipality, Glace Bay’s Town Hall was officially opened in September 1903. Over the years, the Old Town Hall was to become home to every imaginable civic service, including the police and fire departments; a court of justice and the town’s jail.
In the beginning, the building housed the fire and police departments, a jail, judge’s chambers and a courtroom. Stables for the engine horses and haylofts were located in the back. As well, it had offices for all the new town’s services and chambers for some very lively council meetings. The Town Hall of Glace Bay featured “one-stop shopping” before the term was even invented!
Despite valiant efforts to refurbish, the financial pressures forced these two Societies to abandon their efforts in 1997 and vacate the Old Town Hall. By that time Glace Bay had ceased to exist as an independent municipal unit, and by 1995 the town had become but one of a number of island communities that were amalgamated as the Cape Breton Regional Municipality. In 1998 the Municipality decided to tear down Glace Bay’s now-vacant Old Town Hall.
THE GLACE BAY HERITAGE MUSEUM SOCIETY
Facing the loss of one of the last remaining heritage properties in a town that was once known as “Canada’s largest”, moved citizens of the former mining community to rise up in opposition to the Municipality’s proposed destruction. They insisted that this important piece of Glace Bay’s proud past must be saved. From the ranks of the hundreds of “Bay Byes” who rallied to demand a reprieve for the Old Town Hall, the current Glace Bay Heritage Museum Society was born in early 1999.
The Glace Bay Heritage Museum Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Glace Bay’s rich, multicultural heritage. A registered charity, the Society is dependent on the generosity of its patrons and friends for support.
Fred Whyte of the Glace Bay Heritage Museum is gratefully accepting a generous annual donation from Thomas (Jeep) Kennedy.
Jeep is a long time supporter of the Old Town Hall restoration project.
He believed in its success from day one and has supported it in so many ways.
The Glace Bay Heritage Museum Society, who celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2019, is extremely grateful to him and the many community – minded citizens, who believe in saving this iconic Heritage Building and Glace Bay and area’s colourful history and heritage.
THE RESTORATION PROJECT
By 2003, Phase 1 of the restoration of this grand old lady was completed. The roof was replaced, the brickwork repaired, and a replica of the bell tower that had graced the original building was built. On the first floor, hardwood floors were laid and the courtroom restored. The former Municipal offices were refurbished to house the Glace Bay Heritage Museum and Book Store and the former municipal clerks office became the Old Town Hall Gift Shop.
With the assistance of the three levels of government, with support from the corporate sector and through the generosity of countless community minded individuals, in 2003, on the eve of the Old Town Hall’s centennial, the Society fulfilled the first of its mandate when it re-opened the Old Town Hall and unveiled its Glace Bay Heritage Museum, Book Store and Old Town Hall Gift Shop.
The Society forged ahead with the restoration. Again with the support of three levels of Government, the private sector and a great number of hard working volunteers, the Society was able to restore the second floor and bring to life various aspects the of community’s past, as it was in the last century. The grand opening for this milestone was June 1st 2010.
With two floors restored, including the Courtroom and Council Chamber, the Society set its sights on the basement, which once housed the town’s jail. Please visit the restoration gallery here.
2006
Photo: Former mayor John Morgan presenting the Heritage Designation plaque to Isabelle Harris and Elke Ibrahim.
2011
The Old Town Hall received The Nova Scotia Trust Built Heritage Award.
GLACE BAY'S FLAG
The Crest of the the town of Glace Bay depicts the signs and symbols of the fishing and mining; the historic and founding industries of the town. The Crest bears the towns colours blue (for the ocean) and black (for the coal). The motto inscribed in Latin is Ex Fundo Maris et Terrae (translated as: from the depths of the sea and the earth). The small train symbolizes Glaces Bay’s pivotal position as the center of the Sydney & Louisbourg Railway.
COAL MINERS STATUE
The town’s memorial to its deceased coal mine: located on the museum grounds.
MUSEUM HOURS
January, February & March closed or by appointment
Spring Hours starting in April:
Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, 2 pm -4 pm
Museum, Isabelle Harris Gift Shop & Second Hand Book Store will be open during this time.
Admission by Donation.
First Floor Wheelchair Accessible
Contact Details
Old Town Hall
14 McKeen St, Glace Bay
Glace Bay Heritage Museum Society
P. O. Box 580
Glace Bay, NS, B1A 6G4
Phone (902) 842-5345