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Historical Museums

A walk through the museums in Twillingate and Durrell brings the history and culture of one of Newfoundland’s oldest towns to life..

Learn about Beothuk history, merchant times, the proud military history of Twillingate as well as other highlights such as the Georgina Stirling exhibit in Twillingate museum and the polar bear exhibition in Durrell museum..

Twillingate was founded on an ocean culture and its museum exhibitions speak of the fishery, the famous alphabet fleet and the town’s merchants that created an industry from a lifestyle..

You’ll also learn about mining activities in the area’s first newspaper, its connection to the Boys Scouts and Girls Guides, its hospital and school.

Twillingate Museum

Off Main Street, near St. Peter’s Church
15 May – 6 October Mon. – Sun. 9 – 5

  • The Georgina Stirling Exhibit about the life of world famous opera singer known as Marie Toulinquet
  • The famous Newfoundland Alphabet Fleet and Copper Mining history
  • Archaic Indian Artifacts Collection from archeological finds in the area
  • The Twillingate Sun archives
  • Dr. Edith Manuel Collection – founder of the Girl Guides in Newfoundland and Labrador
  • Reverend Gordon Elliot Collection – founder of the Boy Scouts in Newfoundland and Labrador
  • Visit the crafts shop

Durrell Museum

Also has crafts for sale. Outstanding Newfoundland knitted items.

  • Polar BearPolar bear exhibition. Find out how this exhibit found its way to the museum in 2000. Make use of a unique photograph opportunity.
  • Originally home to the Armed Lads Brigade. Training given here to young men was so outstanding that the 40 lads joined the first and second world wars without additional training. Uniforms, rifles and more tell the stories of these times.
  • Exhibits that belong to the fishing industry and general way of life in previous centuries.
  • Built in 1910 and preserves the memory of all those who served their country during wartime.

Northeast Church Heritage Museum

July - August

  • When the Northeast Church became under threat of demolition in 1987, it was renovated and re-opened as a public museum.
  • A good example of the architecture of its time, with a wooden frame built by local craftsmen and local materials. The interior has fine hand-carved work and a unique pipe organ.

The Prime Berth

Greets you as you cross the causeway onto Twillingate island
July - August

  • Privately owned living history museum.
  • Learn about the history and culture of the area through displays of splitting cod or drying squid.
  • Craft studio, snack store, outdoor eating areas, observation tower, a blacksmith store, sea aquarium and fishing museum.