Halifax's Pier 21 museum officially reopens to the public

The Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 in Halifax has officially reopened to the public after months of renovations.

Closed since October, the renovations are part of a $30-million expansion that will see exhibition space almost double.

One of the exhibits is an interactive view of an ocean liner in the era of immigration. It shows the difference between first class and tourist class place settings.

The museum wants to bring the period of 1928 to 1971 alive, a time when Pier 21 was the main entry point for more than a million people.

Other exhibits include a train car that took people from Halifax to the rest of Canada, the cramped cabin of an ocean liner and a packed crate like the type Dutch immigrants used to bring over their entire households including the kitchen sink.

The soft opening for Pier 21 happened last month. More exhibits will be revealed when the museum officially opens Thursday.

Pier 21 official reopening ceremony, Part 2

9 years ago

Duration 18:38

Halifax's Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 has official reopened to the public after months of renovations.

Pier 21 official reopening ceremony, Part 3

9 years ago

Duration 35:48

Halifax's Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 has official reopened to the public after months of renovations.