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Visit the historic Cossit House Museum to learn about 18th-century life in Sydney, Nova Scotia.

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Cossit House, built just after the American Revolution 1787, is the oldest standing house in Sydney and one of the oldest houses on Cape Breton Island. It was the home of the first Anglican Minister of Sydney, Reverend Ranna Cossit, and his family.

Connecticut born Reverend Ranna Cossit, his wife, Thankful Brooks and six of their surviving children moved from New Hampshire to the home in 1788.

Thankful gave birth to another six children in the home. She died in 1802 giving birth to their 13th child.

The designated heritage site is located in the North-end Conservation District on Charlotte Street and is listed on Sydney’s walking tour. This museum is included in the Nova Scotia Museum Annual Pass.

Cossit House Museum Features

Neo-classical Georgian architecture

The home’s architecture is neo-classical Georgian. The structure is made from wood brought in from New England.

Learn about 18th century life with a visit to the Cossit House Museum in Sydney, Nova Scotia. The home is furnished with 18th century pieces and museum staff dressed in period costume demonstrate traditional skills like candle-making, lace-making and butter-churning. Photo Credit: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

Visit to the Cossit House Museum in Sydney, Nova Scotia. Photo Credit: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

A visit to the Cossit House Museum in Sydney, Nova Scotia, The architecture is neo-classical Georgian. The home is furnished with 18th century pieces and museum staff dressed in period costume demonstrate traditional skills like candle-making, lace-making and butter-churning.

Cossit family household items from the 1700s

Birthing room

This is where Reverend Ranna Cossit’s wife, Thankful Brooks gave birth to six children. Sadly she died giving birth to her 13th child in 1802.

Inside Cossit House Museum birthing room. This museum is located in Sydney, Nova Scotia. Photo Credit: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

An 18th century baby cradle and quilt found in the Cossit House Museum, Sydney, Nova Scotia. Sydney Nova Scotia has many fine historic Colonial homes in that have been designated as a heritage property. Photo Credit: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

A visit to the Cossit House Museum in Sydney, Nova Scotia, The architecture is neo-classical Georgian. The home is furnished with 18th century from the Cossit family. Photo Credit: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

Antique children’s toys

Antique toys displayed on a visit to the Cossit House Museum in Sydney, Nova Scotia, The architecture is neo-classical Georgian. The home is furnished with 18th century pieces and museum staff dressed in period costume demonstrate traditional skills like candle-making, lace-making and butter-churning. Photo Credit: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

Antique toys displayed on a visit to the Cossit House Museum in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Photo Credit: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

18th-century life - Antique toys displayed on a visit to the Cossit House Museum in Sydney, Nova Scotia, The architecture is neo-classical Georgian. The home is furnished with 18th century pieces and museum staff dressed in period costume demonstrate traditional skills like candle-making, lace-making and butter-churning. Photo Credit: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

Antique toys displayed on a visit to the Cossit House Museum in Sydney, Nova Scotia. Photo Credit: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

Cossit House Museum staff in period costume

Cossit House Museum staff dressed in period costume demonstrate traditional skills like candle-making, lace-making and butter-churning. The Cossit House Museum is located in Sydney, Nova Scotia. Photo Credit: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

Cossit House Museum staff dressed in period costume. Photo Credit: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

Demonstrations of traditional skills

Cossit Museum staff demonstrate traditional skills like candle-making, lace-making, quilting and butter-churning.

A visit to the Cossit House Museum in Sydney, Nova Scotia. The museum staff dressed in period costume demonstrate traditional skills like candle-making, lace-making, quilting and butter-churning. Photo Credit: Wendy Nordvik-Carr

18-century garden to explore

Take a walk in the gardens during a visit to the Cossit House Museum in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Photo Credit: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

A charming attic to daydream in

A visit to the Cossit House Museum in Sydney, Nova Scotia, The architecture is neo-classical Georgian. The home is furnished with 18th century pieces from the Cossit familly. Photo Credit Wendy Nordvik-Carr©