The area's unique past and culture can be explored at the many museums and historical centers in and around Happy Valley-Goose Bay. From the traditions and folklore of its native peoples to the struggles of voyagers and trappers, this town has a proud history and a rich heritage.

Labrador Heritage Society Museum

Learn the history of Labrador, the land and its people through the many photographs, book collections and historic manuscripts held at this museum. Trapping displays consist of a "tilt" (a rudimentary form of shelter used in the wilderness), tools of the trade and many beautiful native furs including beaver, red fox and silver fox. Other interesting holdings include a collection of artifacts from the ill-fated Wallace-Hubbard Expedition into the Labrador interior and an indexed sampling of Labrador minerals. Visitation is by appointment only.

Location: Northwest River.
Contact: Mr. Roberts (709)497-8779 or Mr. McLean (709)497-8730.

" Them Days " Inc.

"Them Days" Inc., publishes a quarterly magazine dedicated to documenting and preserving Labrador history and also maintains an archive dealing exclusively with Labrador material. Holdings include public records, private letters, manuscripts, taped interviews, photographs and negatives.

Location: 3 Courte Manche Street, Happy Valley-Goose Bay.
Admission: Free, donations accepted.
Contact: Pamela Andersen
Box 939, Station B
Happy Valley-Goose Bay, LB A0P 1E0
Telephone: (709)896-8531.

Labrador Institute of Northern Studies

View artifacts on loan from the Dillon Wallace Collection and the Labrador Heritage Society Museum, photographs of Labrador in the 1800s and the Moravian Mission and exhibits featuring Labrador art work.

Location: North Star Building, 114 Hamilton River Road, Happy Valley-Goose Bay.
Season: Year-round.
Admission: Free.
Contact: Shirley Hamel.
Telephone: (709)896-2978

Northern Lights Building

Nature scenes and life-like displays of Labrador wildlife can be viewed at the Northern Lights Building. Animals included in the displays are the black bear, wolf, fox, lynx, otter, beaver, bald eagle, loon, duck and the Canada Goose. Visit the trapper's brook complete with running water and sound effects and catch a view of the Aurora Borealis. Also on display (on the lower section of the building) is one of the largest collections of O Gauge Lionel toy trains on the east coast of Canada. Several of the toy trains were built in the 1940s and 1950s and are still in working condition. Many of the steam locomotives measure over two feet long and puff real smoke. This building also houses the Northern Lights Military Museum.

Location: Northern Lights Building, 170 Hamilton River Road.
Season: Year-round, Tues-Sat.
Admission: Free.
Contact: Bruce Haynes.
Telephone: (709)896-5939.

The Moravian Church
This enchanting little church was built in 1954 and is the only church in Labrador that was not built as a Mission Church.

Location: 3 Haven Street, Happy Valley.

Birch Island

A former settlement, a very private and quiet area.
Location: Birch Island Drive, Happy Valley-Goose Bay.

Labrador Interpretation Center

This newly constructed building holds some of Labrador's finest artwork. It is the first Provincial Museum in the area, and was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday, June 26, 1997.

Location: Hillview Drive, North West River
Telephone: (709) 497-8566 for further information.

Mini Museum

This museum contains a display of artifacts from the early days of Labrador. Upon request, entertaining stories of early Labrador will be recounted. Open during the summer months by appointment only.

Location: Lake View Drive, North West River
Telephone: (709) 497-8261.