Case Study
Halifax Citadel Museum – Fortress Halifax: A City Shaped by Conflict
- Client: Parks Canada
- Location: Halifax, NS
- Space: 6,000+ sq ft
- Visitors: 750k+ annually
The Challenge
Fortress Halifax: A City Shaped by Conflict is the largest and most ambitious exhibit ever developed at the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site. Spanning more than 6,000 square feet across seven rooms within the stone fort, the exhibit traces the evolution of Halifax from pre-colonial Mi’kmaq history through to the modern era.
Parks Canada wanted the exhibit to be more than a traditional museum experience. The vision was to create an immersive, interactive, and educational environment capable of engaging more than 750,000 annual visitors, while still respecting the heritage architecture of the site. Achieving this vision came with unique challenges.
The Halifax Citadel National Historic Site is a designated heritage property that predates electricity. Its massive stone walls are prone to fluctuating temperature and moisture levels, creating a demanding environment for modern technology. Any audiovisual system needed to be durable, intuitive for staff to manage, and carefully designed to meet the preservation requirements of the historic structure.
The Solution
Backman Vidcom collaborated closely with the exhibit design team at Kubik to deliver an audiovisual solution that seamlessly supported the museum’s storytelling goals. The focus was on enhancing the visitor experience without overpowering the history or the physical space.
Custom-built interactive touch tables were designed to withstand heavy daily use while providing intuitive digital engagement with historical content. Panoramic video displays and supplemental screens added visual context throughout the exhibit, while immersive directional audio helped anchor each narrative within its space.
A custom control system was engineered and programmed to simplify daily operations for museum staff, allowing complex technology to be managed with ease. Every design decision was shaped by the unique requirements of the site—equipment housing and cabling were selected to address moisture and temperature concerns, and preservation officials worked alongside the installation team to ensure the fort’s historic integrity remained intact.
The installation process was phased and methodical, accounting for redesigns, construction constraints, and pandemic-related delays. Despite these challenges, the Backman Vidcom team delivered a fully integrated system that was thoroughly tested and supported with comprehensive staff training.
The Results
The exhibit opened in 2022 and quickly became a benchmark for integrating modern technology within a heritage environment. By 2024, it had welcomed more than 771,000 visitors, each experiencing Halifax’s layered history in a compelling and interactive way.
Visitors now engage directly with stories through digital touch tables, immersive soundscapes, and panoramic visuals that bring historical moments to life. Museum staff benefit from a streamlined control system that keeps daily operations simple and reliable.
Most importantly, the design honors the cultural and architectural significance of the Citadel—enhancing its role as both a historic site and a living museum. The project demonstrates how thoughtful collaboration between Parks Canada, exhibit designers, and technology integrators can successfully balance innovation with preservation.
