Conception Bay Museum, Harbour Grace

The building which now houses the Conception Bay Museum was built in 1870. At that time the brick and stone structure served as the customs house and it replaced the wooden building that predeceased it. The first recorded structure on this particular site was the pirate fort of Peter Easton constructed in 1610. The Conception Bay Museum is open from July 1 - August 31 for the summer season. Out of season private tours will gladly be provided by telephoning 709-595-2261! It is believed that the first customs house in Harbour Grace was located near the two sisters rock formation but the Water Street location served as the site of the customs house at the least from the turn of the century. The building was presumably constructed by George Tapp, who was sent to Harbour Grace in the 1860′s to build such a structure. Reports say that the Gordon family lived upstairs in the building immediately after its completion and are credited with being the first inhabitants of the building. The interior of the Conception Bay Museum contains a pirate room which includes a fully dressed Peter Easton mannequin who recounts many of Easton’s experiences during his stay in Harbour Grace, ten locally handpainted history boards depicting the history of the piracy in Harbour Grace, a model of Easton’s ship- The Happy Adventure- as well as a model of Easton’s fort. There is also an aviation room depicting the history of the Harbour Grace Airstrip. The room contains a model of the 1927 gravel airstrip as well as relics of the Pioneer Trans Atlantic Aircrafts who used the airstrip as a mini exhibit devoted to Amelia Earhart. In addition to these two rooms there is a period setting room adorned with furniture from approximately 1853, a sewing corner, a fisherman’s room depicting the history of the fishery in Harbour Grace. The attic room is currently under renovation and it is hoped to be reopened with exhibits in the near future. Located on the museum grounds is a monument to the role of Harbour Grace in the history of transatlantic flight. In the summer months the flags of prominent Harbour Grace Merchant firms and the solid black pirate flag of Peter Easton are flown from the poles next to the building. The skull and crossbones flag was adopted by later pirates. The museum is open during the summer months (July 1 - August 31) but we will gladly open our doors for private tours in the off season by appointment. Please telephone 709-595-2261 for further information. .