All Museums

St. Isidore Museum & Cultural Centre – English

Situated in the quaint hamlet of St-Isidore, is a museum that depicts the storied heritage of the francophone community that left Quebec to establish itself in the Mighty Peace. In the museum, you’ll find costumes, pictures and artefacts that tell the story of hardships and victories. Also, theres a train car replica inside of the museum to help visualize the trek that the families had to make with their enormous families as well as with their livestock.

St. Isidore Museum & Cultural Centre – French

Situé dans le pittoresque hameau de St-Isidore, ce musée présente l’héritage historique de la communauté francophone qui a permis au gens du Québec de s’établir au sein de la région de Rivière-de-la-Paix. Dans le musée, vous trouverez des costumes, des images et des artefacts qui racontent l’histoire des épreuves et des victoires. De plus, il y a une réplique d’un wagon de train à l’intérieur du musée pour aider à visualiser le trek que les familles devaient faire avec leur famille et avec leur bétail. Nous accueillons tout le monde, même si vous ne parlez pas français.

Tisserandes De St. Isidore (St. Isidore Weavers)

Hours Of Operation:

• Monday – Thursday, 9:00am -4:30pm
• Fridays – Call  (780)624-8481

This ten acre parcel of land just north of Fairview will eventually become a townsite, complete with farm, oilfield, sawmill and demonstration areas. The artifacts are currently being displayed in the restored MacDonald school, Hull house, John Sweeney cabin and Fairview Agencies buildings, while other historical buildings, which have been moved to the site from the surrounding area, undergo restoration.

Open: May-September

Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Located 1km north of Fairview on Highway 732 at the Cummings Lake turn-off.

Built in the late 1920’s, this three-floor building was the first barracks and residence of the town’s RCMP.

Open: May-September
Hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 1:30 pm – 5:00 pm

Historic Dunvegan Provincial Park

Opens May 15, 2020. However you can take a self-guided tour through the provincial park while it is closed. 

Journey through time and discover a piece of the fur trade, missionary and First Nations history at this National Historic Site of Canada.  Visit four original buildings from the fur trade era which have been authentically restored, furnished and are sitting in the same place they were more than 100 years ago.

1. Feel the furs that were used to make fashionable clothing and see the goods that were traded in the Revillon Frères trading store. You might recognize a few brand names still popular today and barter yourself a piece of peppermint or licorice candy!
2. At the St. Charles Catholic mission rectory, discover the hardships and devotion of the Oblate. In the church, witness the splendour of the paintings by Father Emile Grouard.
3. Stand in the living room of the Hudson’s Bay Company Factor’s House and imagine the stamping of feet and melody of fiddle music as the man in charge of Fort Dunvegan and his wife entertained guests during an evening dance. Were the children sleeping snugly in their bed or secretly making their own entertainment with the toys in their rooms?  Gaze out at teepees in the distant field, set up by the local Dunne-za people coming to trade and celebrate.
4. Bake bannock over the fire (on designated days: please call for details).

Tours may be customized to your personal interests and time available.

Stay Awhile!

Dunvegan Provincial Park also features a 65-stall campground with water, power and firewood.

Right next to the park, you’ll find a couple more gems:

Dunvegan Gardens:

Get some fresh U-Pick produce and a sweet snack from this locally owned and operated market garden and ice cream shop.

Maples Day Use Area:

An Anglican mission in the 1880s, this beautiful spot is now a picnic area operated by the Municipal District of Fairview.

Events:

Dunvegan Kids

July 6 to August 24

Every Saturday  2 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Crafts, games, and more – a new theme every time! Open to children of all ages, and adults are welcome too!

Amphitheatre Entertainment

Date: To Be Determined

2 p.m.

Enjoy a humorous and interactive outdoor theatrical presentation.

Fresh Air Market

Date: To Be Determined 

Experience the time-honoured tradition of trading and gathering at Historic Dunvegan’s Fresh Air Market. Get to know local artisans and the products they make.

Located in downtown Fairview, and originally a RCMP residence, the Fairview RCMP Centennial Museum depicts a typical home from the 1920s era. With displays on the main and upper floor, basement and porch, this museum is literally filled with artifacts, displays, and photos that capture and preserve the history of Fairview and the surrounding area.

Open May to August, Tuesday to Saturday, 1:30 P.M. – 5:00 P.M.

The Peace River Museum & Archives is located in the beautiful Peace River Valley. The museum cares for many objects, photographs and archival records that celebrate Peace River’s stories and history. The museum is a fun and a entertaining place of learning through objects in the museum’s collection as an entry-point to inquiry, discussion and exploration about the region. The archives offers an extensive archives and library for family and regional history research. Drop by for personal research or call for an appointment for more in-depth research. 

The museum showcases temporary galleries throughout the year that enables a deeper look into many of the region’s more interesting and thought-provoking stories, individuals and objects. 

Looking for a special gift?

The museum has a wonderful gift shop full of hand-crafted gifts to choose from. You will find 12 Foot Davis magnets by a local glassworks artist, art cards by local photographers, fiber arts, jewelry, history books by local authors and much more!

Hours of Operation:

Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm (open Sundays in July and August)

Closed only on December 24, 25, 26 and January 1.

Exhibits:

Peace of Mind – Historical and contemporary look at our mental health. Call (780) 624-4261 for more information.

Centenaries – 100 years ago – the DA Thomas paddle boat was built in Peace River, the NAR Station was built; the Mt.Pleasant Cemetery was established, the MD of Peace was created; Our Lady of Peace Catholic church was consecrated 1916. Call (780) 624-4261 for more information.

Taking it to the streets! Downtown Walking Tours – The museum offers walking tours exploring our town’s unique and colourful history. Staging points vary for each town walking tour so check our poster for specific start. Call (780) 624-4261 for more information.

Mackenzie Cairn Interpretive Tours – The Mackenzie Cairn is located on the scenic and historic Shaftesbury Trail (Hwy 684) and commemorates the location of Fort Fork, a North West Company post established by Sir Alexander Mackenzie during his historic trans-continental voyage. Call (780) 624-4261 for more information.

Admission:

Free

Explore the legendary Mighty Peace, from the fur trade to modern times, through the exhibits at our museum. Discover Nampa and Northern Sunrise County’s historic multicultural roots by following the steps of those who ventured to Canada’s northern-most homesteading area, across the Grouard Trail and onto the railways that took people from all over the world through muskeg to the Mighty Peace Country. Learn about local industries, about farming, about traditional ways as we guide you through the indoor and outdoor exhibits and buildings. With displays on two floors open year round and outdoor exhibits accessible from May to September, the Nampa and District Museum is more than worth a gander.

Major attractions include:

• The original water tank built by the Central Canada Railway to which Nampa owes its very own existence;
• Our old-time boardwalk of shops and businesses from the early to mid 1900’s;
• Our taxidermy exhibits, showing off local wildlife in the area
• The Rucka settlement house (circa 1937)
• Reno’s Ukrainian Catholic Church (circa 1946)

And so much more.

Sponsored Exhibits and Loaned Collections

Learn More About History of Oil and Gas in the Peace Region with Baytex Energy

The Nampa and District Museum is proud to house an interactive display on the legacy of the oil and gas industry in Northern Sunrise County. Sponsored by Baytex Energy, the exhibit guides you through the process of producing and distributing oil and gas in the Peace Region. View core samples extracted by Baytex Energy in Northern Sunrise County.

Learn All About North America’s First Nations through the Dr. David Welch Collection

Delve into North American’s First Nations cultures as you discover Dr. David Welch’s private artifact collection. Located in the second floor gallery, it presents items from the history and prehistory of First Nations across North America. An impressive array of items are on display for our patrons to enjoy —from the first arrowhead Dr. Welch collected on a beach on Vancouver Island at seven to intricately hand-beaded clothing and modern Aboriginal artwork.

Hours of Operation

• June 1st to August 31st – 10 am to 5 pm / 7 days a week
• September 1st to May 31st – 10 am to 5 pm / Monday to Friday
• Admission: Family $12, Adults $5, Students  $2, Children under 6 Free

Tours available in both French and English