Meet the Tea Artist

The Chestico Museum is pleased to add to its fundraising efforts the amazing teas created by The Cape Breton Tea Company. Join us for a special introduction to the tea blends with our event “Meet the Tea Artist” on Friday, June 30th from 10:00 – 11:30 AM. Bring your favorite teacup or mug with you and get ready for some taste tests and learn about the essence of the herbs within the blends. Dr. Michelle Greenwell will be on hand to answer your questions about herbs, tea, and the Cape Breton Tea Company. Sample the infamous Cape Breton Tea Company Switchel which is a great electrolyte replenisher on a hot summer day, and a fancy way to do popsicles. 

Open House with the Tran Family

On Sunday, June 18th the Chestico Museum will hold a very special Open House from 7 PM until 9 PM. The museum will host ten members of the Tran family. The Trans fled Vietnam more than four decades ago and found refuge in Port Hood, sponsored by St. Peter’s & St. Stephen’s Helping Hands Refugee Outreach. The family called Port Hood home from 1980 to 1982, before resettling in Ontario.

Our photo was taken in Toronto in 2012. It is the ten members of the Tran family who will be in Port Hood this week for the first time since leaving 41 years ago.

Back Row: (L to R) Tim (husband of Jenny Tran); Tony Tran; Irene Tran (wife of Tony); Jenny Tran; Vivian Tran; Gary Thai (husband of Holly Tran) and Andy Tran

Front Row: Ann and Ben Tran; John Gillies; Holly Tran

We hope you will join us at the museum on Sunday evening as we welcome the Trans back to Port Hood! 

Historic Environment Scotland Speakers


The Chestico Museum & Historical Society in partnership with Dr. Karly Kehoe, Canada Research Chair in Atlantic Canada Communities at Saint Mary’s University, present:

Two Guest Lecturers from Historic Environment Scotland

Eve Boyle, Senior Heritage Engagement Officer, Historic Environment Scotland: Rural Settlement in Highland Scotland in the 18th and 19th Centuries: Improvement and Clearance

Andrew Nicoll, Deputy Head of Archives, Historic Environment Scotland: Online Archive Sources for Exploring Scottish History

Tea will be served.

Admission Free – Donations Gratefully Accepted

Student Employment Opportunities 2023

The Chestico Museum is currently accepting applications for summer students for the 2023 season.

The ideal candidates will excel at public speaking and engaging with members of the public, possess strong verbal and interpersonal skills and will be efficient and well organized. The ability to multi-task and strong IT skills are key requirements. Knowledge of local history is an asset.

Tasks will include guiding museum tours, assisting visitors with historical and genealogical research, organizing museum events (including our weekly summer ceilidhs), creating exhibits and updating our collections database.

The first position will run from May 29 until September 1, 2023. It is made possible by funding received through the Nova Scotia Student Summer Skills Incentive (SKILL) Program. This position is open to students who have been accepted at a post-secondary institution for full-time study beginning in September 2023. The position is for 14 weeks – 35 hours per week at a rate of pay of $14.50/hour.

The second position will run from July 3 until August 25, 2023. It is made possible by funding received through the Canada Summer Jobs program. The position is open to youth between 15 and 30 years of age at the beginning of the employment period who are legally entitled to work in Canada and who have a valid Social Insurance Number.

Interested individuals may email a cover letter and resume to: chesticomuseum@ns.aliantzinc.ca

Deadline for applications is May 5, 2023.

2022 Calendar Now 50% Off

The remaining 2022 Chestico Museum calendars are now discounted by 50%. The photos by page are:

Cover: View of the crowd at the horse races on the Irish Road ca. 1959

January: Stanley Cup Winner & Olympic Gold Medalist Allan MacInnis. Also features his teammates on a 1976-77 Port Hood team.

February: Leanne MacDonald – All-Canadian University Hockey Athlete

March: Port Hood Precision Skating Team – National Figure Skating Competitors (1983)

April: Glenna Morris / Coline (MacDonald) MacEachern – Boston Marathon Competitors

May: Cape Breton West Islanders 2016 – 2017 Major Midget Team – National Hockey Champions

June: Port Hood Pacers Girls “A” Softball Team 1988-89 – Provincial Champions

July: Duncan Gillis – Olympic Silver Medalist and Canadian Heavyweight Wrestling Champion

August: Basil Matthew Laidlaw – International Boxing Champion

September: Roy Volo – Maritime Provinces Champion Harness Race Horse

October: Port Hood Pee Wee “A” Bees Hockey Team 2006-07 – Provincial Champions

November: Bruce Beaton – Two-time Grey Cup Champion (2003 & 2005)

December: Port Hood Consolidated Boys “A” Hockey Team 1981-82 – Provincial Champions

The calendar costs $20 and is available at the Chestico Museum.

We are happy to mail calendars to anyone who would like one.

The cost of the calendar, including shipping and handling, is $14.50 for people in Canada.

The cost of the calendar, including shipping to the USA, is $16.40.

To order, you can mail a cheque to:

Chestico Museum
P.O. Box 144
Port Hood, Nova Scotia
B0E 2W0

Canadians can also e-transfer to: chesticomuseum@ns.aliantzinc.ca

If you e-transfer, please include your mailing address in the comments.

The photographs and extensive research information within the calendar ensure it will be a valued keepsake long after 2022 is relegated to memory.