O’Dell House Museum in Annapolis Royal

We were looking for a museum to visit in the winter, and we found the O’Dell House Museum in Annapolis Royal is actually open year-round!

Here’s What the Website Says:

Located on the Annapolis Royal waterfront in a circa 1869 stagecoach inn and tavern, the O’Dell House Museum is the former home of Nova Scotia Pony Express rider Corey O’Dell and his family. The ground floor of this period Victorian structure allows you to step back in time and explore the inn’s parlour, dining room, kitchen and small office. The second floor houses several rooms of interpretive displays which document the sea-faring and ship-building past of the Annapolis Royal area and the everyday lives of its citizens.

I was really excited to visit the museum because the house was built by Corey O’Dell.

When I was doing the research to write the Kentville Ghost Walks, I read a lot about Corey O’Dell who was one of the riders on the Pony Express, bringing news from Halifax to Digby’s Victoria Beach by horse. This was a 9-month endeavour that was quickly made obsolete with the arrival of the telegraph.

Corey O’Dell’s house was an inn for travelers on the stage coach going from Annapolis to Halifax.

When you enter the museum, it’s stepping into a Victorian home. We were lucky to be there right before Christmas so everything was beautifully decorated!

When you go into the museum there was no guided tour, and nothing was labelled, so we were happy that we researched Corey O’Dell before we arrived.

Outside the museum, to the left of the building, is an information sign with some details. I would advise reading that before going into the museum.

Daniel put together a video to highlight some of the pieces that he found interesting in the museum.

Hours, Admission and Directions

The O’Dell House Museum and the Genealogy Centre are open year round.

All year round:
Tuesday – Thursday: 9 am – 5 pm
Friday: 1 – 8 pm
Saturday: 9 am – 5 pm
Sunday and Monday: closed

Please note we are closed for the holiday season from December 24, 2016 to January 10, 2017.

Admission is by freewill donation.

The O’Dell House Museum is located at 136 Lower St. George Street in Annapolis Royal

If you find yourself at the end of Saint George Street in Annapolis Royal, take 15 minutes to pop in to see this beautiful Victorian home. It is best suited for children 8+ as there are no interactive activities, just beautiful rooms to observe.