MANANOOK
 
Grand Manan New Brunswick Canada
     
 

ATTRACTIONS - "Museums & Art Galleries "
Grand Manan Museum

The Grand Manan Museum is located on Route 776 in Grand Harbour - it shoud be one of your first stops when visiting the island.

Its displays give a new, more vibrant context to the world around you - not only the history of Grand Manan - the island, people and fisheries, but through the Allan Moses Bird Collection, a view of some of its wildlife; and through the Geology Collection, many of the fascinating natural wonders the island has to offer.

The roots of the Museum lie in the establishment of Gerrish House Society in 1961. In 1967, the original museum was built through donations and help from the Provincial and Federal Governments. In 1979, the Gannet Lighthouse Fresnell light was moved beside the Museum and the Gallery was built around it. In 1997, the Museum was doubled in size in order to store the many artifacts and archives.

The Museum also runs a weekly series of lectures/slide shows on island history, culture, flora, fauna and geology which are well worth catching - held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings in the Museum's Lecture Hall. Updates on Museum activities can be found on their new Facebook page.

The Museum is opening June 29 and, if all goes well, closing September 25. All of our evening and special events programming is postponed until 2021 when we hope it will resume.


Grand Manan Whale & Seabird Research Station

The Grand Manan Whale & Seabird Research Station is involved in active research, as well as offering a small, but highly informative natural history museum located across from the ferry ticket office in North Head, Grand Manan.

The GMWSRS was founded in 1981 by the late Dr. David Gaskin, a professor at the University of Guelph, Ontario and a pioneer of harbour porpoise research. Since 1981, the research station has conducted research on harbour porpoises, right whales, seals and seabirds in the Grand Manan Archipelago. 

We found the Gaskin Museum of Marine Life especially useful to visit just before we went out on the whale watching tour - there is a lot to see and learn on the tours, which ever one you choose to take. The Museum gives you a head start.

We also picked up our copy of the Grand Manan Trails Booklet in the Gift Shop there, although you can also find it at other museums elsewhere on the island as well.

They also have an extensive and informative web site. Open status pending.


Swallowtail Lighthouse & Museum

Swallowtail Lighthouse and the surrounding buildings and peninsula are owned by the Village of Grand Manan and managed by the Swallowtail Keepers Society.  Still an active aid to navigation, Swallowtail is much more than this. Swallowtail is held dear by islanders and visitors alike, not only for the lighthouse but for the majestic marine vista it affords.

Swallowtail Keepers Society Inc. (SKS) is a registered non-profit organization dedicated to the protection and restoration of the Swallowtail light station and subsequent development of public education and promotion of the site. The property is leased to SKS by the Village of Grand Manan, the owners of the light station.  The property was sold to the Village in two packages, one in 1992 including the keepers buildings and that portion of the peninsula, and one in 2012 including the lighthouse and end of the peninsula.

Guided tours of the Lighthouse are offered during the tourit season.

Visit their web site. Open status pending. but you can visit the grounds and enjoy the views.

Swallowtail Lighthouse & Museum
Photo:Tony Buck Swallowtail Seaview

Grand Manan Island Art Gallery

The 2020 season at the Grand Manan Art Gallery has been partially cancelled due to health concerns related to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Gallery is operating an online exhibition schedule.

 

The Grand Manan Island Art Gallery features exhibits by local and visiting artists from mid June to late September.

Mission : Its goal is to enliven, enrich, engage, inform and educate island residents and visitors by presenting a diversity of stimulating and quality exhibits and displays by notable artists. GMIAG wants to build a permanent historical collection.
Description: The Grand Manan Island Art Gallery is a non-profit public gallery that features art exhibits and workshops from early June to late September. Exhibits feature island and visiting artists with a connection to the Bay of Fundy and Grand Manan Island. A permanent historic collection is also on display. While exploring Grand Manan a visit to our gallery is a must. For more information and an updated exhibit schedules and times do call: 506-662-3662 or drop by at 21 Cedar Street, Castalia.
General Information: Admission is $2.00 for adults and children under 12 are free.
Interior view of GMIAG.
Photo: courtesy Grand Manan Island Art Gallery


Mananook
The Mananook website is produced by two newcomers to the Island. It provides a personal, and as yet, incomplete exploration of our new home. Check out the official Grand Manan Tourism Association website for more complete information.