Halifax Citadel Society

Established on July 10, 1993, the Halifax Citadel Society or HCS (formerly the Halifax Citadel Regimental Association) is a non-profit, charitable organization which, in partnership with Parks Canada, supports programming at the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site (NHS) of Canada. The main focus of the HCS’s program is the re-enactment of the 78th Highland Regiment of Foot and the 3rd Brigade, Royal Artillery. This living history program runs year-round for the benefit of visitors to the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site (NHS) of Canada and is extensive in scope. During our peak visitation period of May to November, the program includes daily firings of the noon gun, manoeuvres by infantry detachments dressed in 19th century uniforms, concerts by the pipes and drums of the 78th playing tunes of the mid-Victorian period, demonstrations by soldiers’ wives, guided tours, a British army schoolroom and more. The HCS also runs the retail operations on site as part of its fundraising efforts. These operations include a cafeteria, a gift store called the Regimental Shop and, in addition, the Association operates a catering business for clientele renting Parks Canada’s on-site meeting and event facilities. Another significant aspect of the HCS’s operation is its musical program. The centre of this program is the historical recreation of the 78th Highlander’s pipers and drummers at the Citadel during the visitor season. In addition to this, however, the HCS operates a School of Piping and Drumming to instruct youth and adults in the art of piping and drumming, hires out solo pipers and groups of musicians for events, and sponsors a number of modern competitive pipe bands.