Archives Launches Historic Film Resource

Nova Scotia's film-making past is going online thanks to a new website being launched today, Sept. 21, by Nova Scotia Archives and Records Management.

The Way We Were: Nova Scotia in Film, 1917-1957, highlights the first four decades of amateur and professional cinematography in the province. The collection represents some of the oldest digitized film in Canada.

Visitors can explore almost 100 black-and-white home movies, full-colour travelogues, award-winning documentaries, and government-produced tourism films from around Nova Scotia through the website and complementary YouTube channel.

"Nova Scotian filmmakers have documented the growth and development of their communities over the past century and this new resource brings that history to life," said Tourism, Culture and Heritage Minister Percy Paris.

"This project makes valuable historic film available to anyone with access to the Internet, making it an important resource for students, educators, and life-long learners."

Halifax is the setting for several films, including footage of the aftermath of the Halifax Explosion, the V.E. Day Riots, and a government-produced film that shows the trials and tribulations of the city during the Second World War. Babe Ruth, Winston Churchill, and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth are filmed making visits to Halifax.

Film from around the province is featured, including examples from Guysborough county in the 1920s and 1930s showcasing the area's beauty and summer activities.

"We had 51,000 feet of film digitized to make this resource," said Lois Yorke, director of public services. "The people and places captured on this film provide a unique perspective on the province."

Other highlights of the collection are:

• a 1928 visit to Bear River's annual Cherry Carnival.
• a trip around an unpaved Cabot Trail with stunning views of Cape Breton Island.
• black-and-white and full-colour films of Wedgeport, Port Medway, Lockeport and Clyde River.

Visitors to the website can browse through films chronologically, by keyword, or by filmmaker. The "Save to iPod" button allows users to download films.

The collection is available at www.gov.ns.ca/nsarm/virtual/nsfilm/ and www.youtube.com/nsarchives/ .

Nova Scotia Archives and Records Management acquires, preserves and makes available the province's documentary heritage.