Nova Scotia Archives

'Nova Scotia on Display: Honeyman, International Exhibitions, and the Roots of the Nova Scotia Museum

London International Exhibition 1862

Nova Scotia on Display: Honeyman, International Exhibitions, and the Roots of the Nova Scotia Museum

The Rev. Dr. David Honeyman was appointed to make a collection showcasing Nova Scotia’s minerals and geological formations for the 1862 International Exhibition in London. Honeyman systematically investigated Nova Scotia minerals and geology formations. He represented Nova Scotia with these collections at the International Exhibitions in Dublin in 1865 and Paris in 1867, and at the Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia in 1876. At the time, there was no location for display or storage of the collections. Honeyman lobbied for a venue to present his geological collections, as well as collections from the Nova Scotian Institute of Science and the Halifax Mechanics’ Institute. As a result of his efforts, The Provincial Museum, known today as the Nova Scotia Museum, was established in October of 1868, with Honeyman appointed as the museum’s first curator.

* background image: Ground Plan London International Exhibition, London, 1862. London Illustrated News

Nova Scotia Archives — https://archives.novascotia.ca/honeyman/exhibition/default.asp

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