Director

Pit pony's, also known as mining horse's, were horses that would go underground to collect the coal the miners collected and would bring the coal up above ground.

The next location in the exhibit are some pictures and some artifacts from the central shops along with the PitPony's. In this section you can expect to learn everything there is to know about what everything is used for, how the equipment works, and what the pitpony's were used for.

The Central Shops/ PitPonys

The Cape Breton Miners Museum offers a variety of programs that interpret Cape Breton’s mining industry in addition to the museum's galleries. Programs and exhibits focus on everything from the experiences of miners and their families to coal mining techniques and displays of equipment. The museum also works to incorporate the history of the coal industry and economic development alongside the work of labor organizers.

The Cape Breton Miners Museum was created in 1967 and pays tribute to the region’s long and rich history of coal mining within Nova Scotia. The museum is home to a variety of exhibits that use artifacts to share the experiences of miners and their families within the context of the region's overall history. the museum includes a miner's village and is located above a former working mine which visitors can tour alongside a knowledgable guide from the museum.

Each of the paintings in the exhibit's gallery have a meaning behind them all, from good to bad. The paintings are separated into different sections, from what it looked like to work in the mines, the explosions/collapses, to the final call when it was over. A lot has happened not only down in the mine but also above ground. These paintings speak a lot of words in many different ways. Although we don't actually experience it like the miners did, we can still feel that we do in another way as we learn more about the coal mining history.

The Cape Breton Miners Museum exists to enhance the knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of the events, experiences, and people associated with Cape Breton’s mining industry; how it shapes our history, our identity, and connects us to the world and its diverse cultures. When you first enter the exhibit, you will turn to your right and there will be a bunch of paintings of different parts that have taken place during the coal mining era.

The Gallery

The history of coal mining on Cape Breton began over 250 years ago. In the early 1700’s, coal was needed in Louisbourg for the French to construct its Fortress. Coal was extracted from exposed seams along the cliffs and in 1720 the first coal mine was officially opened at Cow Bay, or Port Morien as it is now known. In the 1800’s, rows of company houses could be found at Morien, along with hundreds of miners. During the period of 1784-1820, coal deposits were mined on a small scale by either the colonial government or through lease by private individuals.

The exhibit area focuses on the geological development of Cape Breton’s coal field. In this sections, you will learn all about the various types of coal mining and mining techniques, see our vast display of equipment and listen to the stories of miners, the companies they worked for, their unions and their families.

The Geological Section

In the display case, there are a variety of different artifacts that were a big role during the coal mining era. There are the lunch boxes that they brought with them to the mines, an explosive box, a pic and axe that was used to help loosen the coal,

Continuing on through the exhibit, the next section is all about the different types of artifacts. Not only will you learn the names of each one but you will also leave here knowing so much more information such as; what they were used for, how they worked and how they changed throughout the years.

Cape Breton Miners Museum

The Central Shops/ PitPonys

Introduction

Backstory and Context