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OUR VISION, ORGANIZATIONAL STATEMENTS, AND HISTORY

Our vision is that Nova Scotia sport achievements and history remain sources of value and inspiration to our communities, and sources of education to our youth.

Our mission is to honour excellence in Nova Scotia sport by sharing stories of our history and heroes that celebrate, educate and inspire.

Our vision and mission inform the following goals that we have for our organization:

  • To permanently record Nova Scotia’s sport heritage, and to maintain a collection that is representative of that heritage
  • To recognize, honour and celebrate individuals, teams and organizations who have achieved excellence in, or contributed significantly to, sport in Nova Scotia
  • To conduct educational programs related to achievements of historical significance in Nova Scotia sport, and to make them available to all Nova Scotians
  • To make information related to Nova Scotia’s sport heritage available and accessible to the general public and other organizations, and to publicize this information to wider audiences including those outside of the province
  • To serve the community by providing an accessible facility, a variety of programming, and opportunities for engagement and partnerships

These goals represent the Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame’s values:

  • Preserving Nova Scotia sport heritage
  • Celebrating excellence in Nova Scotia sport
  • Accessibility (to information, the museum facility and programming)
  • Sustainability (in finances, culture and environment)
  • Best practices
  • Diversity and fairness (in our selection process, our programming and our day-to-day operations
  • Inspiring and motivating youth
  • Serving and engaging the community

Land Acknowledgement and Commitment Statement:

We acknowledge that we are in Mi’kma’ki, the unceded traditional and ancestral territory of the Mi’kmaq. This land has been home to Mi’kmaw peoples since time immemorial, and we recognize their connection to the land, water, and culture.

We also acknowledge the deep-rooted history of sport and physical activity in Mi’kma’ki, where games and movement have long played a role in cultural expression, community connection, and relationship with the land. As we celebrate athletic achievement and excellence, we honour these traditions and commit to the shared stewardship of this territory through respect, reconciliation, and the spirit of peace and friendship.

Community Acknowledgement:

We also acknowledge the histories, contributions, and legacies of Nova Scotia’s many vibrant communities, including those of African Nova Scotian and Acadian peoples, both of whom have been here for more than 400 years.

OUR HISTORY

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1950's

The Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame came into existence through the work of J.E. (Gee) Ahern (the mayor of Halifax in the 1950’s), Earl Morton, Harry Butler and Alex Nickerson. The Hall was established in response to Kingston Ontario’s claim on the origin of hockey, as Ahern believed that James Creighton of Halifax had taken the original rules (the “Halifax Rules”) to McGill University in Montreal. After an in-depth look at all aspects of sport in Nova Scotia it was decided to broaden the original concept and develop the Hall of Fame to honour all sports.

1958

A Board of Directors was appointed in 1958.

1964

The Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame was officially opened on November 3rd, 1964 at the Industrial Building at the Halifax Forum complex.

1975

In 1975 the Hall of Fame was put under the authority of Sport Nova Scotia. At this time the name was changed to Sport N.S. Hall of Fame. The artifacts and other material were moved from the Halifax Forum to the Sport Nova Scotia offices in December of 1975.

1976

In 1976 the title changed again from Sport NS Hall of Fame to the Nova Scotia Sport Heritage Centre.

1980

On September 20, 1980 the first Induction Dinner was held at the Hotel Nova Scotian.

1981

In September, 1981 the Department of Culture, Recreation and Fitness announced the new location of the Nova Scotia Sport Heritage Centre. The government guaranteed the rent for a permanent facility in the Brewery Market on Lower Water Street, Halifax.

1983

The opening of the new facility coincided with the fourth induction dinner held at the Hotel Nova Scotian in 1983.

1988

The location at the brewery market was so successful that a new facility was needed to meet demand. In 1988, the Nova Scotia Sport Heritage Centre moved to the World Trade and Convention Centre located directly across from the Metro Centre Box Office, officially opening on December 8.

1995

In the spring of 1995, the Nova Scotia Sport Heritage Centre moved to the Centennial Building at the corner of Sackville and Granville Streets with more displays and interactive components.

2005

In March of 2005, with the vision of a new and improved facility, the Hall of Fame moved its administrative offices to the World Trade and Convention Centre to prepare for the new Hall of Fame opening in the mezzanine level of the Halifax Metro Centre (now Scotiabank Centre).

2006

September 16th, 2006 was the official opening of the Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame facility in the old Trade Centre, adjacent to the Scotiabank Centre arena (formerly Metro Centre). This location saw over 55,000 visitors per year until its closure in 2020.

NOW

Even though it is temporarily without a physical location, the Hall of Fame continues its commitment to Nova Scotia sport history and the celebration of our outstanding athletes, teams and builders, in the same spirit that Gee Ahern initiated over 50 years ago.