Lawrence Museum will not open this season as staff sorts out its future

Hants County’s Lawrence Museum will close this year to explore options for operating the site in the future.

During its closure, department staff will engage the community and develop future operational plans.

The museum in Maitland, N.S. is the former home of 19th-century shipbuilder William D. Lawrence. It has been dealing with staff shortages over the past seven years, which has led to frequent closures.

The province said staff affected by the museum closure have been offered positions at other Nova Scotia museum sites.

According to N.S., the community is planning celebrations for the 150th anniversary of the launch of the WD Lawrence, the largest wooden-hulled, fully rigged ship ever built in Canada.

A release notes that department staff will work with community partners who are interested in including the museum site in the celebrations.