The Yellowknife Historical Museum is now open to the public

The Yellowknife Historical Society celebrated the grand opening of the Yellowknife Historical Museum on March 26, 2024, and now tourists, visitors, and local residents can visit to learn more about the rich and complex history of the Yellowknife area.

The museum explores the evolution of Yellowknife, the community that developed after gold prospectors came North in the 1930s, and the rich tapestry of Indigenous culture on the shores of Great Slave Lake.

The museum’s exhibit hall tells the story of the City’s development, the legacy of Giant Mine and the impact of the mine and community on local Indigenous Peoples. The museum is located at the former Giant Mine Recreation Hall, which was built in 1953 and used by staff and workers living at the now-demolished Giant Mine townsite.

CanNor funding supported updates and improvements at the museum to increase accessibility, complete electrical and mechanical upgrades, and develop displays and fixtures. Through this investment, CanNor is supporting the preservation of heritage and continuing to ensure that the tourism sector has the opportunity to grow, succeed and contribute to the diversification of the local economy.

This facility includes a restaurant called The Miner’s Mess, a gift shop, archives, and an impressive exhibit hall. Visitors can discover an array of displays, both indoors and outdoors.

Helmut Epp, President of the Yellowknife Historical Society, stresses the importance of having a dedicated museum to highlight the cultural, social, industrial, and geological history of Yellowknife. He says, "This project is a culmination of over 20 years of volunteer effort on the part of the Yellowknife Historical Society members, in particular Walt Humphries – past President, who first envisioned a community-based museum on this site. The Yellowknife Historical Museum serves to illustrate the rich history of the area and we look forward to sharing these stories with residents and visitors alike."

The Yellowknife Historical Museum is now open to the public, so make a plan to visit!