A past recaptured

Green Hill Lookoff Pioneer Virtual Museum now open

A much-loved, well-remembered piece of Pictou County history is again welcoming visitors.

That is, of course, assuming they have a browser.

The Pictou-Antigonish Regional Library website, www.parl.ns.ca, recreates what was once a busy, interesting tourist attraction at the top of Green Hill, Pictou County.

The goal of the project was to replicate the experience people had in the past of going to the Green Hill Look Off, climbing the tower and visiting the Pioneers’ Museum. Hundreds of items were displayed at the museum, recounting stories of those who pioneered Pictou County.

It was established in 1931 by A. D. Ross and Clifford Rose. Rose continued to operate the facility until 1959 when the province purchased the property, buildings and museum. The exhibits were later dispersed throughout the province and the tower was replaced by a fire tower.

“It was quite an extensive project for our staff, as the exhibits were stored all over the province,” said Chief Librarian Eric Stackhouse. “But with help from Nova Scotia Museum staff, and volunteers of the Carmichael-Stewart House Museum, we were able to locate, photograph and digitize about 70 per cent of the collection.”

The Green Hill Lookoff Pioneer Virtual Museum also tells the story of the area through interviews, photographs, and digitized local history books.

“This is just one of our many digitized collections, all available through our website, www.parl.ns.ca,” says Stackhouse. “Presenting local history online not only has an impact for present and future generations of Pictonians, but also attracts visitors interested in their family histories and stories.”