The Homeschooler’s List of Historical Places in Canada

Historical places in Canada are found in all provinces and offer an engaging and immersive experience in history and what life was like in the past. Wherever you may be located, discover the historical places in Canada that all homeschoolers will want to see. Find one near you in the list below.

Historical Places in British Columbia

• Barkerville (east of Quesnel) - Barkerville Historic Town & Park (open until September 19)

Named after William Barker who first came to the area in 1862, Barkerville Historic Town & Park shares what life was like from the 1860s to 1890s. The park’s website recommends that two days are needed to visit and explore the sites, and there are places to stay in the area.

• Salmon Arm - R.J. Haney Heritage Village & Museum (open until September 18)

With most buildings in R.J. Haney Heritage Village & Museum constructed between the 1890s to the 1920s, visiting this historical place will provide a wide range of fun and interesting history to learn about. Guests to R.J. Haney Heritage Village & Museum can also enjoy a 2.5 km nature walk that winds through the property.

• Vernon - Historic O’Keefe Ranch (open daily until September 5; weekends only from September 11 to October 24)

O’Keefe Ranch was founded by Cornelius O’Keefe in 1867, the same year Canada became a country. Located in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley, the O’Keefe Ranch also shares some of the local history of the area.

• East Kootenays - Fort Steele (open Tuesday to Sunday)

Visit Fort Steele for a look at what life was like in the past. Watch this video for an aerial view of the village and watch the video below featuring a train ride and many other village activities.

Historical Places in Alberta

• Edmonton - Fort Edmonton Park (open until September 6)

With exhibitions ranging from an 1846 fort to a 1920s street, visitors can learn about history over several decades at Fort Edmonton Park. With a train and streetcar, wagon and pony rides, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

• Calgary - Heritage Park (open until Thanksgiving weekend)

Calgary’s Heritage Park Historical Village shows what life was like in Alberta around the year 1905. Before the entrance into the park are stores such as a gift shop, ice cream parlor, and cafe in buildings that show the architectural style from the 1930s.   

Historical Places in Saskatchewan

• Verigin - National Doukhobor Heritage Village (open until August 28)

Located about three and a half hours east of Saskatoon, this historical village shows the history of the Doukhobors and architecture that can be traced to the mid-1800’s in Russia. This heritage village at Verigin is named after Doukhobor leaders Peter V. Verigin and his son Peter P. Verigin.  

Historical Places in Manitoba

• Portage la Prairie - Fort la Reine Museum (open until October 17)

With over twenty-five heritage buildings, Fort la Reine Museum depicts what life was like on the prairies spanning more than two centuries from 1738 to 1950. Learn about trading furs, early pioneers, and more by visiting Fort la Reine Museum.

• Steinbach - Mennonite Heritage Village (open year-round - check website for hours)

The Mennonite Heritage Village is your chance to visit a turn-of-the-century Russian Mennonite street village. This historic place also has a Dutch windmill, a Mennonite house barn, and heirlooms from both Poland and Russia.

• Austin - Manitoba Agricultural Museum (open year-round - check website for hours)

From farm equipment to a homesteaders’ village with buildings from the 1870s to the 1920s to a radio museum, there are a wide variety of displays for everyone to enjoy at the Manitoba Agricultural Museum.

• Arborg - Arborg Heritage Village (open until September 5)

Located about an hour and a half north of Winnipeg, Arborg Heritage Village showcases artifacts and buildings that represent the history of people who came from countries such as Iceland, Ukraine, and Poland. The website also says that there is a campground at the Heritage Village, making it convenient for a longer visit.

Historical Places in Ontario

• Toronto - Black Pioneer Village (contact the park to learn until when it is open)

With forty buildings to explore, visiting Black Pioneer Village will take you back in time to 1867. Explore all that this historical place - buildings, gardens, and all it has to offer.

• Keene (Peterborough) - Lang Pioneer Village (open July long-weekend to September long-weekend and for special events)

Each day history is brought to life in an engaging way as you are welcomed into the 30 restored and recreated homes and businesses in the picturesque village. Costumed interpreters tell the pioneer story as they demonstrate traditional chores, trades and pastimes. See one of only a handful authentic Jacquard looms in North America, discover the authentic experience of the First Nations at Aabnaabin Camp, explore a working 170-year old Grist Mill and so much more.

Historical Places in New Brunswick

• Prince William - Kings Landing (open until mid-October)

Kings Landing invites you to explore what life was like in rural New Brunswick in the 1800s. Twenty minutes west of Fredericton, Kings Landing has many buildings to explore and is sure to be a fun visit for family members of all ages.

Historical Places in Nova Scotia

• Lower West Pubnico - Historical Acadian Village of Nova Scotia (open until September 24)

The Historical Acadian Village of Nova Scotia is a historical place where you can step back in time to learn more about life of the Acadians in the early 1900s.

Historical Places in PEI

• Cavendish - Green Gables Heritage Place (open daily until September; open by appointment only for October and November)

Inspired by Lucy Maud Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables, the Green Gables Heritage Place provides visitors with lovely trails to walk, the Green Gables house, and other amenities to explore while at the heritage place. 

Historical Places in Newfoundland & Labrador

• L’Anse aux Meadows - L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site (open until October 1)

Taking you back in time to the Vikings, the L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site invites visitors to try weaving or blacksmithing and learn about Viking history and see a Viking port of trade.

Historical Places in Yukon

• Whitehorse - Old Log Church Museum (open some Thursdays and Fridays throughout the summer - check website for hours; winter hours - open by appointment only)

Built in 1900, the Old Log Church has been part of Whitehorse for over 100 years. Later, in 1962, the Old Log Church became a museum, and in 2014, both the Old Log Church and the Rectory were designated as a historical site.

Historical Places in Northwest Territories

• Fort Smith - Fort Smith Mission Historic Park (check website for hours and information)

Originally 151 acres, Fort Smith Mission Historic Park is all that remains of the mission. The Mission Historic Park offers visitors a self-guided tour of the historic mission sites which include buildings such as the Cathedral, carpentry shop, and vehicle repair and machine shops.

Historical Places in Nunavut

• Arvia'juaq and Qikiqtaarjuk National Historic Site of Canada - Arvia'juaq and Qikiqtaarjuk National Historic Site of Canada (check website for hours and information)

Arvia’juaq and Qikigtaarjuk National Historic Site of Canada was declared a historic site in 1995. Part of the historic value of this place is that it is used as a camp every summer to gather many marine resources in the area. It also provides a glimpse into the Inuit way of life.  

This is a short list of a few of the historical places in Canada that you can visit or just learn more about online. Search, discover and experience history come to life through historical villages and museums that are excellent sources of family learning!

This article has been written by homeschooling staff writers of The Canadian Schoolhouse (TCS). Enjoy more of our content from TCS contributors and staff writers by visiting our Front Door page that has content on our monthly theme and links to all our content sections.