Exterior view of Clifton Museum Park, formerly Haliburton House Museum, a white two-story building with a red roof, surrounded by a large green lawn and trees under a sunny sky.

Learn

Planning Your School Visit

Booking Programs

Programs are booked on a first-come, first-served basis. When possible, bookings can be made for the time and date that best suits your needs. Bookings are available for June 1 to September 30. To contact Clifton Museum Park and inquire about a booking, email [email protected].

Group size

Tours and programs can accommodate a maximum of two classes or 60 students. Please contact us if you would like to inquire about a larger group.

Cost

The Hands-On History program costs $3.50 per student (tax included), and the Museum Exploration program costs $3.00 per student (tax included). Payment can be made by cash, cheque, or credit card. Cheques should be made payable to “Clifton Museum Park.”

Chaperones

Teachers, educational assistants, and chaperones are admitted free of charge. We ask for at least one chaperone per ten students. Chaperones must stay with their assigned group of students for the duration of the program and are responsible for their safety and behaviour. More information on specific chaperone tasks is provided upon booking.

Lunch

There are picnic tables and plenty of room in the park for students to eat lunch outside. Students should not bring meals that require refrigeration or heating. We do not have an indoor eating area.

Washrooms

There are three gender-neutral, single-stall washrooms available in the museum.

Accessibility

As a historic house, we are not fully accessible. If you have students who require accommodations, please contact us to discuss how we can best support their visit.

Extending Your Visit

In addition to facilitated programs, Clifton Museum Park is also home to the Clifton Disc Golf Course. We would love for your group to stay and explore the rest of the park and disc golf course after your program. The Clifton Disc Golf Course is available at no extra charge.  If you require discs or coaches, please enquire when booking. 

What to expect

Prior to Visit

  • Confirmation of the school program, booking date and time, and any relevant pre-visit information will be emailed to educators.

On arrival

  • Museum staff will meet you upon arrival. Students will have a short break to disembark and stretch before the program begins.
  • Admission can be made at this time by cash, credit card, or cheque, payable to “Clifton Museum Park.”

Programs

  • The Hands-On History program is approximately two hours long. The Museum Exploration program is self-paced, but we recommend allocating 30-90 minutes.
  • We have a spacious park and a large selection of old-fashioned toys and games.  Educators can also bring games and equipment for students after their lunch break.
  • Some of our programming takes place outside, so we ask participants to dress accordingly.

Hands-On History program

A wooded table with a long string of green beads.

Introduction to History

Our engaging Introduction to History activity is the first station of the Hands-On History program. This station will focus on helping students visualize the length of time various cultural groups, such as the Mi’kmaq, Acadians, African Nova Scotians, and Gaels have inhabited Nova Scotia. 

Introduction to History
A view of the grounds at Clifton Museum Park featuring trees, a lawn, and a distant building.

Nature Rocks!

Enjoy the natural beauty of Clifton Museum Park through our nature walk activity. With a guided scavenger hunt, students will be encouraged to take in the outdoors during their visit. Heritage Interpreters will provide information on local geology, industries, flora, fauna, and environmental changes.

Nature Rocks!
Gloved hands holding are carved wooded artifact.

Artifact Investigators

How do historians learn about the past? At the Artifact Investigators station, students will don their gloves to interact with replicas and working collection artifacts to explore how historians learn about the past.

Artifact Investigators
A wooden loom with a partially woven piece of fabric featuring blue and turquoise threads, and a shuttle with yarn visible.

Try Your Hand at Textiles

How is fabric made and who makes it? At the Try Your Hand at Textiles station, students will explore the world of textile creation through hands-on and object-based learning. 

Try Your Hand at Textiles
Image of a board game that looks like house plans.

Changing Constructions

How do buildings change, and how do historians learn about these changes? Through our interactive Changing Constructions game, students will explore how Heritage Interpreters and other historians have learned about the architectural changes at Clifton Museum.

Changing Constructions
Interior shot of a hallway with green-painted walls, a red patterned carpet, antique wooden furniture, and framed artwork, leading to a staircase in the distance.

Museum Exploration

There’s lots to see and do at Clifton Museum Park and the Birthplace of Hockey Museum! The Museum Exploration program allows students to explore these two museums accompanied by Heritage Interpreters or individually at their own pace. 

Museum Exploration