Catching some Holiday magic at the museum
Classic Christmas and winter scenes display at Nova Scotia Museum of Industry
STELLARTON - It’s not just a chance to visit one Christmas village; it’s an opportunity to check out multiple, including the Grinch’s Whoville.
The Museum of Industry has set up its Tiny Tinsel Town display again and is ready to welcome visitors to the collection, including more than 3,000 trees, more than 1,000 figures, and 200 plus homes.
Then there are the electric trains – including the Polar Express - weaving through the different towns, an impressive ski hill, a Nova Scotia village, a candy-land and, of course, Santa Claus’ operation in the North Pole.
This is the fourth year for the display at the museum, located at 147 N Foord St. in Stellarton.
“We always try and make it look new,” said Jill Livingstone, who set up the display with her husband, Jamie. “We try and give a little bit of a different feel to each table, so while it may look familiar, it does have a different layout. I think 95 per cent of the houses are in different locations this year.”
Jill said they’ll add a few pieces each year as well by taking advantage of after-christmas sales.
“It takes Jill and I approximately five weeks to get it set up,” Jamie said, adding they work around their full-time jobs at the museum.
New this year is an interactive aspect to help entertain children visiting the display. Through a Where's Waldo/i Spy type of game, children are challenged to find, for example, the 13 Grinches spread out around Whoville, or the six Max’s – his little helper dog.
“Or help Mrs. Claus find all the busy elves,” Jill said of another I Spy challenge at a different table.
Denise Taylor, marketing service officer at the museum, said the pieces, mostly Dept. 56 Christmas Village brand, were collected by three ladies in the community who used to display them around the community and use the exhibits as a fundraiser.
“They approached me about setting it up here and were over the moon when they first saw it all set-up because it’s such a big space,” Taylor said. “They decided then they would like to donate it to the museum.”
Taylor said the display will be set up until Dec. 23 but could go past that date if there is enough interest.
The museum is open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will be available for the same hours during December weekends (Dec.
4, 5, Dec. 11, 12, and Dec. 18 and 19). Regular admission applies to the weekdays, while the cost is free on weekends with a monetary donation to the Pictou County Food Bank encouraged.
Visitors must show their proof of double vaccination and wear masks while in the building.
“Just seeing the joy people show when looking at all the houses, the tables,” Jill said of the goal when setting up. “We always hope to carry on the legacy of what those ladies left us.”
Craig Macdonald, museum manager, said they’re excited to again exhibit Tiny Tinsel Town.
“The display of wintry scenes has become a fun and delightful holiday tradition in Pictou County for the past four years,” Macdonald said.