Halifax Municipal Archives

Identity area

Identifier

HMA

Authorized form of name

Halifax Municipal Archives

Parallel form(s) of name

  • Halifax Regional Municipality Archives

Other form(s) of name

    Type

    • Municipal

    Contact area

    Archives Reference

    Type

    Address

    Street address

    81 Ilsley Ave., Unit 11, Burnside Park

    Locality

    Dartmouth

    Region

    Nova Scotia

    Country name

    Postal code

    B3B 1L5

    Telephone

    902-490-4643

    Fax

    902-490-6299

    Email

    Note

    We will respond to reference requests within 5 business days. Phone the Archives at 902-490-4643 for urgent requests.

    Description area

    History

    The Municipal Archives was established in 2005 after the repatriation of municipal records from the Public Archives of Nova Scotia. It has since increased its holdings by transfers from other institutions holding historical municipal records, the transfer of inactive municipal records and donations from the public.

    Geographical and cultural context

    Halifax Regional Municipality is the largest municipal unit in Nova Scotia and comprises the former municipalities of the County of Halifax, the City of Halifax, the Town/City of Dartmouth and the Town of Bedford. Geographically it covers the area between Ecum Secum on the Eastern Shore, Hubbards towards the South Shore and the Halifax International Airport to the north. Halifax is the capital of the province of Nova Scotia.
    The City of Halifax was incorporated in 1841, the first in Nova Scotia. The Town of Dartmouth was incorporated in 1873; the County of Halifax in 1878; and the Town of Bedford in 1979.

    Mandates/Sources of authority

    The Municipal Archives identifies, acquires, preserves and promotes access to municipal government and non government archival records documenting the history of the region.

    Administrative structure

    Records management and collecting policies

    Halifax Municipal Archives is the official repository for all inactive Municipal records of enduring administrative, legal, fiscal, historical, or informational value. These records are preserved as evidence of the Municipality’s functions, policies, decisions, operations and citizen interactions. Mandate includes HRM’s predecessor municipalities: Town of Bedford; City of Dartmouth; City of Halifax; County of Halifax; Metropolitan Authority.

    The municipal record is complemented by the archival records of individuals, businesses and organizations active in the municipal sphere, that directly document the functions, decisions, policies, operations or significant citizen interactions with the HRM municipal government and former municipal units

    Buildings

    Holdings

    Finding aids, guides and publications

    Search the online Municipal Archives database for the most up-to-date descriptions of archival and reference holdings, as well as digital copies of some material. Please note that the content available through MemoryNS is updated irregularly; researchers should contact the Archives before arranging a research trip.

    Access area

    Opening times

    Reference by appointment available at specific times:
    Tuesday: 10am-4pm
    Wednesday: 10am-4pm
    Thursday: 10am-4pm

    The Archives closes for all statutory holidays.

    The Municipal Archives facilitates on-site and remote access to its holdings. Contact Us with your reference request.

    Access conditions and requirements

    On-site researchers must register and show a piece of photo identification.

    Accessibility

    Wheelchair accessible. Free car and bicycle parking available at door. Halifax Transit lines 3 and 66 stop just beyond our door.

    Services area

    Research services

    On-site Reading Room available to consult material. Computers and wi-fi available.
    Researchers unable to visit in-person will be assisted with up to 1 hr. of research services per year. A list of professional researchers is also available.

    Reproduction services

    Researchers can purchase reproductions of all material in various formats depending on researcher’s needs, the needs of the records, and legal restrictions.
    If researchers can specifically identify the material they need copied, request for copies can be submitted by email or phone. Researchers at the Archives can make their own copies (digital or paper) of material available on microfilm or use a digital camera to photograph material; otherwise all copying is done by Archives staff or external services.

    Public areas

    Control area

    Description identifier

    Institution identifier

    Rules and/or conventions used

    Status

    Level of detail

    Dates of creation, revision and deletion

    Language(s)

      Script(s)

        Sources

        Maintenance notes

        Access points

        Access Points