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Historic Destination (16)
Glace Bay
Provincial Highway 125; Highway 4; or Route 255 Colliery Route 28
Glace Bay, like other parts of Cape Breton has a strong legacy in mining. According to the Cape Breton Miners' Museum, by 1873 there were eight coal companies operating in Cape Breton. The miners were paid from 80 cents to $1.50 per day and the boys were paid 65 cents. To man the mines many companies enlisted labour from other parts of the province and from abroad. Some of those tempted by the prospect came to Glace Bay from the West Indies and worked in the steel industry and in the mines. These individuals brought with them strong socio-political views and well-honed survival skills. In the 1920's as Marcus Garvey's movement for the repatriation of Africans of the Americas to Africa gained ground, the West Indian immigrants to Cape Breton adopted his stance. They built United Negro Improvement Association Halls (UNIA) in Whitney Pier and Glace Bay. Although the movement was more popular in Nova Scotia with West Indian immigrants to Cape Breton it did have the impact of encouraging pride in the heritage of many of African descent. While in town put on a hardhat and some protective clothing and go underground deep into the Ocean Deeps Colliery (coal mine) at the Cape Breton Miners' Museum.
Museums, Archives, Memorial Sites
Cape Breton Miners' Museum
Highway 28 (The Colliery Route)
42 Birkley Street , Glace Bay
While in town put on a hardhat and some protective clothing and go underground deep into the Ocean Deeps Colliery (coal mine) at the Cape Breton Miners' Museum. Maps for the Collier Route can be found at the Museum.
Tel.: 1.902.849.4522.
Beaton Institute
Cape Breton University, Room CE-267 in the Student / Culture/ Heritage Centre
1250 Grand Lake Road, on Highway 4 that connects Sydney and Glace Bay
(also known as the Sydney-Glace Bay Highway).
Extensive holdings including manuscripts, diaries, audio-records, maps and photographs. A "must" if you have ties to Cape Breton.
Open year-round, 10:00 am-4:00 pm Monday - Friday (Wed to 7:00 pm except in August).
Tel.: 1.902.563.1329
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