Halifax Citadel National Historic Site of Canada

The Halifax Citadel Experience

A national historic site of Canada, the Halifax Citadel is a gateway to a bygone era. Enter and you will discover the important role it has played in the birth of this city and in the development of a nation.

Restored facilities combine with modern exhibits to showcase why this fort holds a special place in the hearts of Canadians. It’s an experience you won’t soon forget.

Information Centre

This is the best place to start your visit to the Halifax Citadel. Get a general overview of the site and set out on your own adventure. Or join us for one of many walking tours that depart from here throughout the day.

Noon Gun firing demonstration

The practice of firing a gun at mid-day at the Halifax Citadel dates from at least 1856. Historically the military first used cannons to signal daybreak, noon and sunset. An evening cannon warned soldiers that the fort gates were closing for the night and that they should return to barracks. The present-day noon gun is a reproduction of a twelve-pound, smooth-bore, muzzle-loading gun used during the reign of King George III (1760-1820). For over 155 years, the citizens of Halifax have relied on the reverberating blast from the noon gun to signal mid-day. The Royal Artillery put on quite a show as they move this gun into place and fire it every day except Christmas Day!

Film: A Harbour Worth Defending

Presenting the story of the Citadels that have occupied this hill, and how they protected Halifax. This 15-minute film reveals the city’s strategic role as a British and Canadian naval base.

Soldiers' Barracks

They were cramped, damp, sparsely furnished, and, sometimes, the only privacy you had was a grey army blanket. Conditions in the barracks of the 19th century were anything but glamorous for members of the 78th Highland Regiment and their families. Step inside to see for yourself. Try on the soldiers’ famous headgear. Lift their heavy packs from their modest steel-frame beds. Or open their kits to see how they kept themselves and their uniforms crisp and clean for inspection. These artifacts will give you some insight into what life was like at the Halifax Citadel many years ago.

Tailor Shop

The tailor shop kept the regiment clothed. The tailor was responsible for keeping the soldiers in style with their MacKenzie tartan kilts and bright red doublets. Visitors will delve into the craftsmanship that went into these impressive uniforms.

Guard Room

If you had business at the Halifax Citadel, you came here first to see the Sergeant of the Guard. If he determined you had reason to be here, he gave you a pass so you could continue on your way. The guardroom was also an exceptional spot for keeping watch over the Halifax Citadel’s sentry points. Today, you can watch the sentry change every hour on the hour and then visit the lock-up where troublesome soldiers were held. 

Engineer Store

This is the room where the royal engineers stored supplies and spare parts for the various buildings of the Halifax Citadel.

Orderly Room

If you were a soldier at the Halifax Citadel in the 19th century, your orders for the day came from this room. Everything from what you wore, to your duties, to punishments for your infractions, was decided here. Today, you’ll find a dip pen, fresh paper and India ink on-site waiting for you to write out your own commands.

Exhibit: Fortress Halifax - Warden of the North

It’s an experience more than two hundred years in the making. Explore the development of Halifax’s defences from modest wooden forts to the mid-20th century in this award-winning exhibit. Models and artifacts reveal the many influences that shaped the history of this military and naval port. And you’ll see the crucial role the Halifax Citadel played in the Halifax Defence Complex.

Schoolroom

Come in and take a seat. Class is about to begin. Today’s lesson will explore what education was like for soldiers and their children in the 19th century. We’ll be covering British history, math and moral conduct. We also have slates for you to write on, and a counting ball (or abacus) for solving math problems. And remember, if you have any questions, just ask the schoolmaster.

Expense Magazine

Cool, dark and dangerous, this earthen, underground room is where the explosive charges for the Halifax Citadel’s cannons were stored. Here, soldiers filled the charges with gunpowder, and placed them in tins to keep them secure.

South Magazine

The gunpowder for the Halifax Citadel’s armaments had to be stored in a safe, dry place. This magazine is where the barrels were kept, which made it the fort’s most dangerous spot. You had to be very careful handling the barrels. One spark was enough to set them off, resulting in more damage than any enemy attack could cause. That’s the reason why soldiers stationed here wore wooden shoes, buttons and buckles.

Signal Mast

Imagine what it was like to send a message to someone before the invention of the Internet and cell phones. The signal flag display will transport you back to the days when this was the main means of communication between the Halifax Citadel and York Redoubt. Not only were flags used to send coded messages, they also announced the arrival and departure of commercial ships in Halifax Harbour.

Defence Casemates and Garrison Cells

It catches your eye as soon as you enter the room – the cannon pointed at the window. It is a reminder that the casements were built to protect the Halifax Citadel. In the event of an attack, these guns would fire into the Halifax Citadel’s ditch. When there were no threats, these casements served as prison cells. Soldiers convicted of minor offences, such as drunkenness and cursing, were held here. For more serious offences, such as theft and attempted murder, they were sent to Melville Island, located in Halifax’s Northwest Arm.

Film: Tides of History

A dynamic marriage of sound and vision that delights audiences, the Tides of History exhibit presents Halifax’s history in vivid detail. The people, places and events that shaped this city come to life through imaginatively lit artifacts and dioramas in four mini-theatres. From the Seven Years’ War and the War of 1812 to the First and Second World War, you’ll see how times of conflict fueled the growth of Halifax.

The first film in the Tides of History presentation starts every 15 minutes during regular hours. The entire show lasts 50 minutes and is available in both English and French. We also offer group bookings for this presentation. Please contact us for more details.