Take a walk down memory lane of our 2024 season at the museum! Lots of events, entertainment, workshops, temporary exhibits and more!
2024 Yearbook
The Mac Collection Art Exhibit
May 1st to 28th – To open the 2024 season, we have gone through our collection and put together an art exhibit to showcase paintings that have been donated to the Museum over the years. Come and enjoy these treasures; you never know what you might see!
Art Exhibit Old School New School
June 13 to Aug 30 – Student artists from MRHS and BRCS showcase their Art Exhibit Old School New School.
Every Child Matters – Art Exhibit
June 19 to July 29
Wartime Knitting: Remembrance and Recognition
Aug 1 to 31 – Did you know that during times of war, knitters were often used as spies? Come and see some of their work and other vintage WWII knitting as the Macdonald Museum presents: The Four Seasons Fibre Group – “Wartime Knitting: Remembrance and Recognition”. On display until the end of August.
Society of Fibre Artists of the Annapolis River.
Aug 3 to 31 – Macdonald Museum showcases the works of the Society of Fibre Artists of the Annapolis River.
Our first birthday party of 2024!
Feb 12 – Why not have your next celebration or meeting here at the Macdonald Museum. Call or email us for more information.
CommunityVotes 2024 Nomination!
May 1 – We feel very honoured to have been nominated for this year’s CommunityVotes campaign. Thank you.
MRHS Senior GSA Student’s Info Session
May 4 – Middleton Regional High School’s Senior GSA Students present a day of free information sessions. Come & get educated!
2024 Annual General Meeting
May 7 – Hear about our plans for this season, listen to the amazing Christine Faour – author of the book Behind the Dress – recount her experience of life in a religious cult and enjoy some tasty goodies. Come our and support the future of your Macdonald Museum.
Members Night – Oak Island
May 16 – The mystery of the “Oak Island” treasure has captivated people for over 200 years. Laird Niven, well known Nova Scotian archaeologist who has worked on a number of digs, including Oak Island, will be our guest speaker.
Escape From the Art Gallery
May 30 & 31, June 1,6 & 8 – You and the rest of the “Sneaky Bandits” plan to rob the Macdonald Art Museum, along with many valuable priceless objects, it is home to the most valuable art work in the world, the “Bruce” Painting.
Steal that and you’ll never have to do another job again! Can you solve the puzzles, find the painting and get out before the guards arrive?
$15.00/person, maximum 6 people per team.
Canada Day Celebrations!
July 1
– Multicultural Opening Ceremony at 1:00
– Live Music with Joker’s Right – Children’s Games – Free Cupcakes
– Amateur Strawberry Shortcake Bake Off (free shortcake served after the contest)
Thank you to the Town of Middleton for their continued support and involvement. Funded by the Government of Canada
Great Canadian Strawberry Shortcake Amateur Bake-Off
July 1 – This Canada Day will our defending champion do it again or will we crown a new winner? Think you have the “berries” to “cream” the others and walk off with this much coveted trophy? Don’t delay.
Outdoor Craft Market
July 20 – As part of the Heart of the Valley celebrations the Macdonald Museum is holding an outdoor craft market. Includes BBQ, Petting Zoo and lots of wonderful crafts. Start your Christmas shopping early.
heART of the Valley show & sale
Sept 11- Oct 5: All you need is love….. Attention artisans of Annapolis Valley & surrounding areas. We have officially launched applications for the Macdonald museum’s “heART of the Valley ” show & sale. Please visit our website for full details and application forms.
Online Auction
Oct 21 – Nov 20: Get ready! Lots of great items to bid on and many more to follow. Start your Christmas shopping and help support “The Mac”!
Middleton Witch Walk
Oct 26 – The first, but not the last) Middleton Witch Walk was a great success. THANK YOU to all the witches, warlocks and other spirits that joined us. A big thank you to the Town of Middleton for helping to organize the walk and to Katie for suggesting it in the first place. Can’t wait for next year!
Annual Christmas Craft Fair
Nov 29 & 30 – Macdonald Museum’s Annual Christmas Craft Fair has three floors of Vendors, Door Prizes, Bake Sale, 50/50 Draw, Canteen and will be sure to help you with your holiday shopping and decorating.
Heritage Bake Sale & Auction
Nov 30 – Take a culinary walk through the past while enjoying sweet treats prepared by volunteers and community members using recipes found in the Museum’s Collection of recipe books. Baking enthusiasts can show off their skills by choosing a recipe from the Collection and bringing their creations to be sold in this Sweet Tasting Fundraiser as part of our Christmas Craft Fair
Karaoke Night
March 22 – Warm up those vocal chords, shake off those winter blues and join us for an evening of fun and music. The Macdonald Museum together with the NSCC Middleton Student Association present Karaoke Night! Admission: $10.
Rockin out with Joker’s Right
July 1
Jason Price – I Told You So
Sept 14 – Our concert series kicks off with fan favourite Jason Price. Join us as Jason celebrates the music of Randy Travis along with his own original music.
Tickets $20/person
FUNdraiser dance
Sept 21 – “Shake your groove thing, shake your groove thing, yeah yeah! Dust off those platforms, break out the neon and join us for a FUNdraiser dance at the Middleton Legion. You can get tickets online or in person at the museum. Prizes for the best costumes
Joe H Henry sings Country and Blues
Oct 5 – With a voice “as powerful as a freight train” Indigenous Singer-Songwriter Joe H Henry bellows the flames of gritty Americana Roots with a whole lot of Soul.
Doors open at 6 pm and locked at 7:30. Cash bar available. Tickets $20 pp on sale at the Museum or online
Night at the Museum – Movie Night
Nov 24 – Macdonald Museum screens “Night at the Museum” for Middleton Madness. BYOP (bring your own popcorn) and see if things do come to life after dark.
Moccasin workshop
April 7 & 14 – Once again we are offering our moccasin workshop, with Carolyn Landry. This time it will be over two weekends. Space is limited so please call to register to avoid disappointment.
Intro to Genealogy Workshop with Kathy Litwin
May 9 – Currently a student at the International Institute for Genealogical Studies Kathy has 40+ years experience in genealogy and enjoys sharing her passion for Genealogy and local history. This class will give you the basics to get you started on our own journey. Limited spaces available.
Punch Needle Workshop
June 19 – Local artist Karen Beals will lead a Punch Needle Workshop. Participants will learn the art of punch needle and make a mug rug in a sunflower or log cabin design.
Cost is $35 per person and includes all materials.
GET WRITING!
Sept 21 – A practical writing workshop with Jan Fancy Hull
Feeling stuck? Need a boost to start writing? Come and learn ow to write with purpose.
Includes a FREE book
“Jan … led the discussion with her usual blend of intelligence and humour… the audience were totally enthralled.”
Carol Ann Cole – Learning to Slow Dance with Footprints of Kindness
May 28 – Book Talk Tuesday
The Macdonald Museum is thrilled to welcome Carol Ann Cole back to Middleton and we invite you all to join us to help Carol Ann launch her new book “Learning to Slow Dance with Footprints of Kindness”.
All ages welcome, refreshments served.
Amanda Peters – The Berry Pickers
June 4 – Book Talk Tuesday
“A Mi’kmaq family from Nova Scotia arrives in Maine to pick blueberries for the summer. Weeks later, four-year-old Ruthie, the family’s youngest child, is seen sitting on her favourite rock at the edge of a field before mysteriously vanishing.”
All ages welcome, refreshments served.
Brian McConnell – The First Church
June 27 – Brian McConnell will talk about his book: The First Church, Old Holy Trinity in Middleton, NS. Brian is a retired lawyer, historian, author and heritage volunteer. He is the President of the Nova Scotia Branch of the United Empire Loyalists’ Association of Canada and Chair of the Old Holy Trinity Church Charitable Trust.
Begun in 1789, Old Holy Trinity Church in Middleton, Nova Scotia, is the oldest structurally unaltered wooden Loyalist church in North America. Join our guest speaker, local historian Brian McConnell, as he recounts the history of this amazing church and its place in the Valley.
Sharon Goldston-Easton – Beach Moose & Amber
Sept 10 – Book Talk Tuesday
powerful storyteller! Sharon Goldston-Easton reads from her book and share her grandparents’ journey before, during and after the holocaust
Member’s Night with Vernon Oickle
Sept 24 – Membership has it’s benefits!! Vernon Oickle, Nova Scotia journalist, editor and writer takes us on a whimsical tour of Nova Scotia’s most unique mailboxes! Members’ admission is free!
Thank you to Morse, Brewster, Lake, Chartered Public Accountants for sponsoring this event.
Steve Skafte – Dead Die Twice
Oct 8 – Book Talk Tuesday
Local author, photographer and fan favourite Steve Scafte presents a journey down abandoned roads and into long forgotten cemetaries in October’s Book Talk Tuesday. All ages welcome, refreshments served.