Fascinated with the collective history of BC's Northern towns and people? The Museum of Northern British Columbia is a must-see for anyone visiting Prince Rupert, though the town has several other unique museums.
Museum of Northern British Columbia
The museum is unique in the region and among the best in the country. The treasures inside are the main attraction, however, the building itself has its own presence. Located on the waterfront of First Avenue downtown, the museum is an impressive log building built in the style of a traditional Northwest Coast First Nations longhouse.
The Museum of Northern British Columbia displays items that date back to the end of the last ice age. It contains well-preserved, historical Tsimshian and other First Nations items including works of art, clothing, baskets and more. It also features more modern historical artifacts from the city's railway era.
Guided Tours of the Museum
The best way to enjoy the museum is by tour. The museum also offers special programs for children and adults. These feature dancing, storytelling and a visit to a nearby carving shed. Tours should be booked ahead of time and require a minimum of six people.
Firehall and Kwinitsa Railway Museums
Two other museums in Prince Rupert may also be of interest to tourists – the Firehall Museum and the Kwinitsa Railway Museum.The Firehall Museum is just a few doors west of the Museum of Northern British Columbia. It's a small museum focused on the history of the local fire department since 1908. A red, rebuilt fire truck from 1925 sits in the middle of the museum.
The Kwinitsa Railway Museum is located on the waterfront, near the railway tracks close to downtown. Walking there from the other two museums takes only a few minutes.
This museum's building is the authentic railway station once located at Kwinitsa Station, about an hour's drive east of the city on Highway 16. The museum exhibits artifacts from the early 1900s, they heydays of the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway. This is a good place to learn more about Prince Rupert's pioneer age.