9,000 years. That’s how long people have lived in Newfoundland and Labrador. For the first 8,000 years, aboriginal peoples trod the earth and occasionally ventured out to sea. Every year archaeologists are filling in the details of this history, piecing together their stories bit by bit from the fragments of their lives they left behind.

1,000 years. That’s how long Europeans have been living here, but really have occupied the place for only half that time. These settlers left big footprints on the land, and their stories are told through buildings and other artifacts that easily catch the eye.

Now and tomorrow. That’s the time we have to discover the past, to learn how aboriginals and settlers adapted and survived, and to carry forward that knowledge so that succeeding generations can make their own discoveries – about the past, about us, and about themselves. Because that’s what our historic sites mean. Become a new discoverer.

National Historic Sites of Canada

Operated by Parks Canada, our seven National Historic Sites reflect the powerful culture built around our waters for centuries. There are tales to tell of our fishery, aboriginal peoples, and military past: hear them here.
National Historic Sites in Newfoundland and Labrador

Provincial Historic Sites

The 12 Provincial Historic Sites operated by the Historic Resources Division of the Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation hold an insightful look into our heritage, ranging from a colonial military property to a wine vault.
Provincial Historic Sites in Newfoundland and Labrador