Trinity, Newfoundland is one of those rare places where history doesn't just live in books—it lives and breathes all around you. And at the heart of this remarkable preservation effort is the Trinity Historical Society, founded in 1964 with a simple but powerful mission: to preserve, present, and promote the built and cultural heritage of this historic town.
A Town Where History Comes Alive
Walking through Trinity feels like stepping into a time machine. Founded in 1964, our mission is to preserve, present and promote the built and cultural heritage of Trinity and the area, and the Trinity Historical Society has done exactly that. They've created something truly special—a living museum where you don't just observe history, you experience it.
The Society operates eight incredible historic sites that tell the complete story of Trinity's past, from its earliest days as a fishing station to its prominence as a major trading center. $23.00 per adult or $18.00 seniors/students for Trinity Experience pass that includes admission to the Visitors Centre, Lester-Garland House, Lester-Garland Premises (Ryan's Shop), Cooperage, Green Family Forge, Hiscock House, Trinity Museum and Fort Point. It's an incredible value that opens the door to centuries of fascinating history.
The Green Family Forge: Where Sparks Still Fly
Perhaps the crown jewel of the Trinity Historical Society's offerings is the Green Family Forge. This isn't just a static display—it's a fully operational blacksmith shop where demonstrations are performed Mon - Sat and you can watch skilled blacksmiths work with traditional tools and methods.
The Green Family practised as blacksmiths in Trinity before 1750, making this one of the longest-running family trades in North America. In 1999, the forge once again became operational. A blacksmith was hired and demonstrations were conducted, bringing this important craft back to life after decades of silence.
What makes this experience truly special is how interactive it is. Visitors can watch blacksmiths create everything from fireplace pokers to decorative coat hooks, and the forge has become one of the "must see" historic sites and produces items for sale such as fireplace pokers, letter openers, roasting forks, candle holders, coat hooks, sign brackets, hinges and planters. You can even take home a piece of authentic Trinity craftsmanship.
The Lester-Garland House: A Georgian Masterpiece
The Lester-Garland House stands as a testament to Trinity's prosperous past. This brick Georgian-style house was the first structure of its kind in the province, originally built in the 1760s for the wealthy merchant families who made Trinity their home base.
What's remarkable about this building is its journey through time. Originally home to the Poole, England and Newfoundland-based mercantile Lester and Garland families, it was taken down in the 1960s and rebuilt in 1996-1997. The Historical Society painstakingly reconstructed it to original specifications, creating a perfect blend of historical accuracy and modern preservation techniques.
Today, the house serves multiple purposes—it's a museum showcasing merchant life, a learning center, and home of the archival collection of the Trinity Historical Society that dates back to 1740s.
The Trinity Museum: 2,000 Stories Waiting to Be Told
The Trinity Museum, housed in an 1880s saltbox-style home with approximately 2,000 artifacts from various aspects of the life of Trinity and the surrounding communities, offers an intimate look at daily life through the centuries.
But this isn't your typical "look but don't touch" museum experience. Rug hooking demonstrations and other traditional crafts are demonstrated on site by staff and volunteers, giving visitors hands-on experience with traditional Newfoundland crafts. During the operational season, staff and students demonstrate how to hook a traditional mat using scraps of cloth. Visitors are invited to try their hand at this traditional pastime.
The collection itself tells the complete story of Trinity life, with artifacts from the commercial, domestic, fishing, sealing, medical, governmental and other trades. From household items to military memorabilia, every piece has a story to tell.
Archives: Where Genealogy Dreams Come True
For those interested in family history, the Trinity Historical Society Archives are an absolute goldmine. Archival material includes church records of baptisms, marriages and burials from 1753 for the Church of England/Anglican Church; mercantile journals and ledgers starting from 1863 and numerous family trees on file.
The Archives' 20 metres of textual records date from the 18th to the 20th century, including everything from business records to court documents, parish records, and an extensive photograph collection. Whether you're tracing your family roots or researching the broader history of the region, these archives offer incredible depth and detail.
More Than Just Museums
What sets the Trinity Historical Society apart is how they've created a comprehensive historical experience.
Beyond the main sites, they operate several other fascinating locations:
• Ryan's Shop (Lester-Garland Premises): Over the centuries, in this one remaining mercantile building clerks totted up accounts first for the Lesters, then for the Garlands, and finally for the Ryans.
• The Cooperage: Where barrels essential to the fish trade were made and repaired
• Hiscock House: Another beautifully preserved historic home
• Fort Point: the Fort Point Lighthouse which was home to a military fortification before becoming a Lighthouse
A Community Effort Worth Supporting
What's truly inspiring about the Trinity Historical Society is how it represents community dedication to preserving heritage. This isn't a government-run operation—it's a grassroots effort by people who genuinely care about keeping Trinity's history alive for future generations.
The Society has received numerous awards for their preservation work, including the prestigious Manning Award from the Historic Sites Association of Newfoundland and Labrador for work surrounding the forge in 2004.
Planning Your Visit
The Trinity Historical Society sites are typically open from June through October, making them perfect for summer exploration. The Trinity Experience pass is exceptional value, giving you access to all eight sites for one reasonable price.
But this isn't just about seeing old buildings—it's about experiencing a way of life that shaped Newfoundland and connecting with the people who built this remarkable community. Whether you're watching sparks fly at the forge, trying your hand at traditional crafts, or tracing family connections through centuries-old records, the Trinity Historical Society offers something truly special.
In a world where history often feels distant and disconnected, Trinity and its Historical Society remind us that the past isn't something that happened to other people—it's the foundation on which we all stand. And thanks to the dedicated work of the Trinity Historical Society, that foundation remains strong, vibrant, and ready to inspire new generations of visitors.
