Sydney & Area

About

The Beaton Institute is a cultural heritage archive mandated to preserve the social, economic, political, ethnic and cultural history of Cape Breton Island. The archive is also the official repository for the historically significant records of Cape Breton University. 

The Beaton Institute provides access to its holdings through adherence to recognized standards in the arrangement and description of archival materials, the development of research tools, and the provision of quality reference services. 

The Institute promotes inquiry through innovative public programming and community-based initiatives, and is centre for local, regional, national and international research. It houses 2.5km of material consisting of thousands of maps and plans, sound recordings, moving images, books, and rare publications. The collection features hundreds of thousands of photographs and millions of pieces of textual records.

Amenities

  • Washrooms Available
  • Wheelchair Accessible

Locals Know Blog

St Ann’s Bay & North Shore

The St. Ann’s Bay area starts at the Exit 11 turnoff on the Trans-Canada Highway and it goes right up until the base of Cape Smokey. The views that you get are super-breathtaking. In the fall,...

4 Minute Read

Pleasant Bay

Welcome to Pleasant Bay, a small fishing village nestled along the rugged shores of the Cabot Trail. Steeped in history and surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty, this charming community offers visitors a glimpse into the authentic...

2 Minute Read

Whale Watching on Cape Breton Island: What to Look For (and Where to Find Them)

There's something that stops you in your tracks when you first see a whale. Maybe it's the sheer scale of a humpback's fluke rising from the Gulf of St. Lawrence, dripping and impossibly large. Whatever it...

5 Minute Read