Seal Island Light Museum

The museum, a replica of the top half of the Seal Island Lighthouse, displays lighthouse equipment and memorabilia of the Barrington and Cape Sable area, and tells the fascinating history of the lights on Cape Sable Island, Bon Portage, and Seal Island. The building is topped by the cast iron lantern which was removed from the tower in 1978. It was to be sent to Ottawa, but the community fiercely objected and the lantern was brought by helicopter to Barrington. Money was raised to build this museum to house the iron lantern and the Second Order Fresnel Lens. From the third level, you can climb the iron stairs as the keepers did for 76 years to see the original clockwork mechanism and the only installed Fresnel lens in Nova Scotia. Though the museum is closed in winter, the lens is lit for Christmas week.

The five-story, 35-foot replica is part of the Barrington Museum Complex and offers a panoramic view of Barrington Bay from the top. Operated by the Cape Sable Historical Society, the museum is located at 2422 Highway 3, Barrington. The 2026 regular season runs from June 2 through August 22, Tuesday to Saturday, 10 AM to 4 PM, with admission by donation. After August 22, the museum is open by appointment. The museum also features a tax-free gift shop with locally sourced items and weekly children's activities during the season.