Imagining the Austens in Halifax

We encourage you to support Feed Nova Scotia and help fight food insecurity by making a donation during your visit. This illustrated talk will offer a tour of sites Captain Austen and his wife Fanny visited when they were in Halifax, including Government House, where they danced at a ball in 1810, and St. Paul’s Church, where their daughter was baptized in 1809, along with other places that would have been familiar to them, such as St. George’s, the Town Clock, and the Naval Yard. Sarah Emsley is the author of Jane Austen’s Philosophy of the Virtues and a history of St. Paul’s in the Grand Parade . She received her PhD from Dalhousie University, held a postdoctoral fellowship at the Rothermere American Institute, University of Oxford, taught classes on Austen in the Writing Program at Harvard University, and now lives in Halifax with her family. Her debut novel, The Austens , was published by Pottersfield Press in 2025. 6:15 pm: Special-tea Sampling and Tasting. Meet Philip Holmans, owner of World Tea House, who specializes in hand blended, organic, small, farmed teas from around the world. Philip will be sharing period-based teas and talk about their significance during the time period of Austen’s novels. Sarah Emsley Cover of the The Austens by Sarah Emsley Phil Holman at World Tea House Related Events Drop-in Knots and Knits: Free Drop-in Sessions 28 Apr 2026 Join us for our social sessions where fellow knitters can bring… Maritime Museum of the Atlantic Talk My Father’s Experience in the Merchant Navy During the Battle of the Atlantic – Tuesday Night Talk 3 May 2026 Upon the anniversary of the Battle of Atlantic, join us for… Maritime Museum of the Atlantic Talk Sea Turtle Patrol and This Year’s “Lucky” Find! – Tuesday Night Talk 5 May 2026 The Canadian Sea Turtle Network has run a Sea Turtle Patrol each… Maritime Museum of the Atlantic Maritime Museum of the Atlantic Social Media Facebook Instagram Threads YouTube Maritime Museum of the Atlantic 1675 Lower Water Street Halifax, Nova Scotia Main navigation Visit What’s On Stories Learn About Explore Our Collections Visit Our Museums Read Our Stories Privacy Terms The Nova Scotia Museum is located in Mi’kma’ki (Mee-gmah-gi), the traditional, ancestral lands of the Mi’kmaq people. We are all treaty people, committed to reconciliation. Social Media Links Nova Scotia Museum – Instagram Nova Scotia Museum – Facebook Nova Scotia Museum – Youtube Nova Scotia Museum – Threads Nova Scotia Museum – Bluesky Get Connected Sign up now for the Nova Scotia Museum’s events email and receive monthly updates on all the latest events and activities at our family of museums. The privacy rights of online visitors to our Website are fully protected by Nova Scotia’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act . Any personal information collected from visitors relates directly to the operation of the website and will not be used for any other purpose. To obtain access to or correct personal information you have submitted, contact us at [email protected] . Email © Nova Scotia Museum