The New Brunswick Museum’s Humanities collections were founded with the goal of acquiring, preserving, researching, and interpreting the human heritage of the province and other jurisdictions. They contain approximately 125,000 artifacts that document the history, art, and culture of New Brunswick as well as the activities and interests of its citizens internationally. The stories and ways of life of individuals, families, and communities are revealed, analysed, and shared through the objects they made, procured, and used.

Built mainly on the generosity of donors and collectors as well as through careful purchase, these collections represent diverse subjects ranging from ancient material culture to contemporary art. Within the holdings there are broad thematic concerns and areas of specialization, including Indigenous cultures, military history, marine history, social history, cartography, and fine craft. Together, these objects bring focus to the many varied connections that link our past, present, and future.