The Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 in Halifax shows the importance of Halifax to the immigration history of Canada. The museum shows experiences of immigrants as they arrived in Canada and their contibution to Canada’s way of life.
Pier 21 was a former ocean liner terminal and immigration shed from 1928 to 1971. The site was the gateway to Canada for one million immigrants between 1928 and 1971. It also served as the departure point for 500,000 Canadian Military personnel during World War 2. After Pier 21 closed as a immigration terminal, it became a training facility for professional mariners. It also provided workshop space for artists during the 90’s and the Pier itself served as a Cruise Ship dock.
It opened as a museum on Canada Day in 1999 and in 2011 became the sixth national museum of Canada.
The museum does a great job putting you into the shoes of immigrants and really gives you their view of the whole journey of the immigration process. The museum left us talking and thinking about it for days
