The 2012 summer season has come and gone, and with it we enter our busiest time of year as we prepare to welcome cruise ship passengers from all over throughout September and October.

Though we must close our doors for the off-season, we are always happy to accommodate visitors by appointment. If you’re in the Pier from September through to May 2012/2013, and wish to stop by the Museum, please contact Sandra Dunn @ (902) 562-8454, or Simon Gillis @ (902) 564-4248.

We thank you for your support this year, and look forward to seeing you again in June 2013!

Come join us at the Whitney Pier Museum on Thursday, August 9, from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. for our Action Week Tea! There will be entertainment and refreshments for everyone to enjoy.

Renovations to our kitchen have recently been completed so we thought we’d share a few photos with you all!We’re now more ready than ever to accomodate cruise ship passengers and other visitors. We hope to see you soon!

There are many theories about the two structures that form the overpass in the Pier and the “dip” from one structure to the other.

In 1963, Sydney built the overpass to deal with issues with the subway that was used to carry traffic under the train tracks at MacQuarries Crossing. The overpass, constructed by Chappels Ltd., was estimated to cost 1.3 million dollars. However, the city engineer at the time explained that, in order to get federal funding, the overpass had to be considered as two overpasses. This way, the cost was lowered to only $500,000 per overpass, effectively reducing the original cost by approximately 40%.

The overpass remains a unique landmark and a prominent symbol of Whitney Pier’s sense of place.

Photos are courtesy of the Beaton Institute and can be found in our museum.

Its that time of year again. The Summer Season is here!

Hours of Operation are Monday to Friday  9am – 12pm and 1pm to 4:30pm.

There is a wealth of knowledge as well as interesting photos and albums to search through. So, stop by the memory factory and take a look!

This Season we look forward to meeting people of all ages. Whitney Pier residents, past and present. Many Cruise Ship passengers and Island vacationers from all over the world!

Don’t forget to check out The Whitney Pier Community Heritage Trail.

Official Trail Ribbon cutting fall 2011.

Left to Right: Mary Dunn, Simon Gillis-Vice-President, Charlie Neville-President, Mayor John Morgan, Helen Carroll.

Museum Executive members and volunteers Sandra Dunn, Charlie Neville, Mary Dunn, George Dunn, and Helen Carroll.

The 2011 summer season has come and gone, and with it we enter our busiest time of year as we prepare to welcome cruise ship passengers from all over throughout September and October.

Also in October, we will celebrate the grand opening of the Whitney Pier Community Heritage Trail. We are currently finalizing plans for this event, and will keep you posted on all of the details!

Though we must close our doors for the off-season, we are always happy to accommodate visitors by appointment. If you’re in the Pier from September through to May 2012, and wish to stop by the Museum, please contact Sandra Dunn @ (902) 562-8454, or Simon Gillis @ (902) 564-4248.

We thank you for your support this year, and look forward to seeing you again in June 2012!

Aerial view of Whitney Pier. Photo credit George Hunter.

Given the central role that steel production has played in the history of Whitney Pier, we thought it only appropriate to highlight a few photos from our industrial past. Some of us grew up with the Steel Plant; lived nearby and worked there. Others remember it only through stories and memories shared by older generations. Though the steelmaking tradition in Cape Breton has ceased, we continue to honour the thousands of labourers who dedicated their working lives to the industry in the Pier, and remember their vast contributions to our community throughout the years.

Early workers during the construction of the Sydney Steel Plant.

Building the Plant.

Construction of the Sydney Steel Plant.

Dominion Iron and Steel Co. Machine Shop workers, 1950. Front row, left to right: Monty Mortimer, Alfred Evans, Berkley Evans, Howard MacDonald, Bill Fedora. Back row, left to right: Harry Tobin, Ron Adams, Ernie Yates, Rice Gaudet, Jim MacKillop, Albert Hennick, Gerard MacNeil, Ed Hubley, L.J. (Lem) Evans.

Group of workers tapping the No. 6 Furnace.

Joseph Sobol, Melter Foreman at the Open Hearth Furnace.

Sign promoting Plant safety.

No. 1 Blast Furnace ca. 1954.

Dominion Steel and Coal Corporation Headquarters, 1951.

Lightweight Boxing Champion Joseph Sylvester (right) of Whitney Pier poses with an opponent.

Since sports have played a key role in the lives of many Pier people, today we’re highlighting a few photos of various teams from different kinds of activities from years past. These traditions continue today, and remain an integral part of the community and its numerous athletic organizations. Here’s a taste of what can be seen in the Museum. Enjoy!

An early Whitney Pier hockey team.

Whitney Pier Athletics Baseball Club ca. 1937. Front row, pictured left to right: Joker LeBlanc, John Gallagher, Herman Timmons, Father M. M. MacDonald, Ray Murray, Danny Gallivan, Jerry Kehoe, Nat Gallivan, Mascot Jimmy MacDougall. Second row, left to right: Bam Melnick, Lon Hartigan, John Willie Mombourquette, Les Topshee, Cecil Clarke, Mickey Gillis.

Broadway Aces Soccer Team ca. 1935-1940.

Women’s Basketball Team. Date and names unknown.

Members of the Steel Plant Bowlers having fun while competing.

Newman’s Hardware on Victoria Road.

Throughout the history of the Pier, numerous businesses have come and gone. Victoria Road and its adjoining streets have been home to most of these establishments, some small and others large. Though almost all of the businesses pictured here are no longer in operation, we remember them fondly for their many years of dedicated service to our community.

Archie Nathanson’s on Victoria Road.

Whitney Pier Deli on Victoria Road.

Bernie’s Bakery on Meadow Street.

Feder’s Jewelry Store on Victoria Road.

Whitney Pier Meat Market on Victoria Road.