Creating a living fortress : the development of the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site

Abstract

The Halifax Citadel National Historic Site was one of the federal government’s early big heritage development projects. This study sets out to explore the development of the Halifax Citadel as a tourist destination and provides a good case study which situates the Citadel within the larger framework of Parks Canada’s network of similar historic sites and the evolution of themes in the academic discipline of history. The development of the Halifax Citadel reflects the evolving practices in the field of historical museum interpretation and situates itself at a time when the Canadian government was investing considerable resources in promoting the country’s heritage, yet there were several challenges to its progress. Issues raised about its interpretation program reflect the evolving historiographical developments in the discipline and wider social issues relating to gender and race.