Welcome to The Roarbots’ series of Parks Canada Adventures. Similar to our NPS Adventures, this series takes a big-picture view of a single Parks Canada site and highlights some of the best activities it has to offer. This is usually done through a kid-friendly lens and almost always includes activities and suggestions we can recommend from personal experience. And pictures. There are lots and lots of pictures. Glad to have you aboard!

Welcome to Halifax Citadel National Historic Site!

Formally known as Fort George (after King George III), the star-shaped Halifax Citadel sits atop the aptly named Citadel Hill in the heart of Halifax. The British founded the town of Halifax here in 1749 in large part because of the hill’s strategic position overlooking an easily defended and ice-free harbor.

The French had taken control of Cape Breton Island, and the British were worried they would make an attempt on the mainland. Halifax was one of several British settlements that made it on the map around the same time.

In that same year (1749), the first fortifications were constructed on top of Citadel Hill – which amounted to little more than a wooden guardhouse. Over the following 100 years, the town and fort grew together, and it’s hard to imagine Halifax today without the citadel. It’s central to the city’s history.

In the 1820s, tensions between Canada and the United States were near an all-time high. There was a very real fear that American troops would attack Halifax. Construction on the fort that stands today (the fourth, but the first that was built with permanence in mind) began in 1828 yet wasn’t finished until 1856.

Interestingly, the fort was never attacked in its entire 250+ year history. Regardless, it still played a significant role in Canadian and world events. Fears of attack were always high – during the American Revolution (which prompted construction of the second fort), the French Revolutionary Wars, the War of 1812, and the American Civil War.

Though the series of forts atop Citadel Hill were built, fell into disrepair, and rebuilt numerous times, Halifax Citadel today stands testament to the soldiers who stood guard over Halifax from 1749 to 1906.

Stats

• Halifax Citadel National Historic Site
• Location: Nova Scotia
• Established: 1952
• Admission: $11.70 (Canadian) per adult in peak season ($7.80 off-peak); senior, youth, and group rates available
• Social Sites: Twitter, Facebook, YouTube

(Click on all pictures to embiggen.)

Fort George

On a nice, clear day, the view of downtown Halifax and the harbor from the top of the fort is pretty impressive. Or so I’m told. The day we were there was miserable, rainy, and totally socked in with clouds. So we didn’t get the nice view, but we probably got a better feel for what soldiers had to deal with during the 18th and 19th centuries.

Muddy puddles. Rivers of dirt flowing into the quarters. A cold wind that whips through your clothes. And rain soaking absolutely everything in sight.

The fort is mostly open for exploration, and you’re free to ramble around the wide open courtyard or into the many rooms, including the soldiers’ barracks, tailor shop, classroom, magazine, garrison cells, and more.

Special Tours

There’s no shortage of cool, “bonus” things to do at Halifax Citadel.

Want to fire an authentic Snider-Enfield rifle, just like the soldiers here might’ve done in the late 19th century? If you’re at least 16 years old and have $22 to burn, you can fire three rounds.

Kids age 6-12 can join up and learn what it was like to live and work at the fort in the A Soldier’s Life program. For about 90 minutes, new recruits sign enlistment papers, put on uniforms, practice foot drills, learn to march to a drumbeat, send a coded message, and pass inspection. (A Soldier’s Life costs an additional $7.30/child.)

Jealous that the kids get to have all the fun? Don’t be. Halifax Citadel also offers the 3-hour Soldier for a Day program for adults. It’s a touch expensive at $199/adult (better rates if you register as a couple or group), but it’s been designated as a Canadian Signature Experience (one of only eight in the Parks Canada system).

What’s involved? Well, you’ll get fitted for a uniform and kilt. You’ll march to the parade square to fall in line, practice drills, and learn how to fire a rifle or play a drum. Finally, you’re retire from your sentry post to the mess hall for refreshments. Participants receive a reproduction English shilling from 1869 and reproduction enlistment papers (along with tea or lemonade and a scone).

Finally, you can also take an evening ghost tour through the fort after it’s closed to the public. For 70 minutes, you’ll follow a spooky guide on a candlelit tour through the haunted history of the fort. The tour costs $14/adult and must be reserved online. It’s also incredibly popular, so be sure to plan for this one in advance.

Unfortunately, we weren’t able to experience any of these special tours. Though our visit coincided with a weekend ghost tour, it was fully booked. I’d love to do the Soldier for a Day program on a future visit, but I have to admit – that hefty cost is certainly a barrier.

Living History

From spring to fall, Halifax Citadel is home to a living history program that portrays the 78th Highland Regiment, which was stationed here between 1869 and 1871. Reenactors are everywhere (and in all weather!) and also include the 78th Highlanders Pipe Band, the Third Brigade of the Royal Artillery, soldiers wives, and civilian tradespersons.

Every day, the Royal Artillery fires the noon gun. The reenactors perform drill demonstrations on 12-pounder and 32-pounder smoothbore guns and with 7″ rifled muzzle-loading guns. You’ll want to plan your visit to coincide with the noon gun; trust me.

The Army Museum

Upstairs in the Cavalier Building (the information center, shop, and film are downstairs) is The Army Museum, which showcases the military history of Atlantic Canada from World War I through modern-day conflict.

If you’re interested in military history, there’s a lot to see here. Uniforms, guns, artillery, equipment, and all manner of historical artifacts are on display. Most impressive, however, is the replica model of the Vimy Memorial in France.

Admission is included with Halifax Citadel, and the lovely older gentlemen who work there (and can act as guides) are fantastic.

Xplorers

If you have kids, Parks Canada’s Xplorers program (their equivalent of the National Park Service’s Junior Ranger program) should not be missed. Most sites in the system offer an Xplorers booklet, which encourages kids to ask questions, discover hidden corners of the park, keep their eyes open, and be active visitors. It’s a must-do feature of every Parks Canada visit, and the kids delighted in earning their dog tags at each location.

The living history at Halifax Citadel is an unofficial “add-on” to the Xplorers booklet, and you’d be foolish not to make time for it. Kids can interact with period interpreters and artisans to learn more about the fort and military life in the 19th century.