At the Birthplace of Hockey Museum, you can look back 200 years: the collection covers the history of ice hockey and includes artifacts; the museum is located in a wing of the Clifton Museum. The Clifton Museum Park, a museum in Hants County in Windsor on the banks of the Avon River, connects the place with another story: Thomas Chandler Haliburton, a writer from Nova Scotia, lived there from 1836 to 1856. Here, a long sporting history meets a specifically dated period of literary residence.
History in Homes and Exhibitions
Fort Edward and Shand House also offer different historical perspectives. Fort Edward was built in 1750; its blockhouse is the oldest in Canada. A 1 km gravel-and-dirt trail runs through the site and is accessible to wheelchairs and scooters. Shand House, by contrast, was built in Windsor in 1890 and showcases a Queen Anne-style home. The West Hants Historical Society Museum focuses on household, industrial and maritime technologies from a bygone era.
In Hantsport, the McDade Heritage Centre preserves another part of regional history: preserved records and mementos from the shipyards and industrial businesses are available to tourists there. Every summer, the Hantsport & Area Historical Society guides visitors through the Centre with student guides and researchers. This creates a seasonal contrast for a cultural visit with the Hants County Exhibition, which takes place in September.
Trails, Tides and Activities
A 2.2 km accessible trail runs along Lake Pisiquid and is used year-round by residents and visitors. Together with the 1 km trail at Fort Edward, it offers a second reference point for planning your routes. The two trails also differ in their stated accessibility features: the Lake Pisiquid trail is accessible; at Fort Edward, the gravel-and-dirt surface and accessibility for wheelchairs and scooters are specified.
Burntcoat Head Park features a historic lighthouse, trails, picnic areas and interpretive panels. At low tide, a knowledgeable guide leads visitors from the lighthouse to the ocean floor, past tide pools and life in the mudflats. Since this tour is tied to low tide and is guided, check the tides and tour times in advance. The OnTree Fun & Adventure Park offers a different kind of activity, with 10 high ropes courses and 16 zip lines.
The Hants County Exhibition and Its Dates
The Hants County Exhibition was first held in 1765 and is the oldest continuously operating agricultural fair in North America. It takes place every year in September over two full weekends; the exact dates may vary. The program includes show jumping, tractor pulls, cattle shows, numerous 4-H events and rides. If you are planning your trip around the fair, check the dates for that year. The McDade Heritage Centre tours in Hantsport, by contrast, take place in summer: comparing the seasons helps you distinguish these two events when planning your trip.
More Places to Discover Nearby
In the vicinity of Hants County, Sainte-Famille Wines Ltd. is located in Falmouth. Its vineyard sits on a gently sloping hillside above the Avon River Valley. In Ashdale, Meander River Farm and Brewery is a family-run mixed farm spanning 186 acres, specializing in hops and lavender and home to the Meander River Brewery. These places broaden the region’s appeal with cultural, scenic and agricultural themes, while keeping the museums, trails and events in Hants County in focus.
Discover more destinations: Enfield, Windsor, Hantsport, Shubenacadie, Elmsdale, Ellershouse, Falmouth, Upper Rawdon.
For the broader travel overview: Nova Scotia.
