Visit The Past
The 50 Centuries’ Cultures Society, founded in 1997, oversees the Bird Cove project located just off Route 430, the Viking Trail, on Newfoundland and Labrador’s Great Northern Peninsula. Whether you’re a naturalist, hiker, botanist, rock hound, budding archaeologist, history enthusiast, or simply seeking a fresh and memorable experience, Bird Cove offers something to inspire every visitor.
For 5,000 years, people have been drawn to this place for the same reasons: a rich landscape, a generous sea, and a panoramic coastline well-suited for community and family life. Evidence of this long connection can be seen in more than 20 archaeological sites that often reveal the harvesting of the town's abundant land and marine resources.
Throughout these millennia, Indigenous groups returned season after season, establishing small base camps along the shoreline as part of their seasonal rounds. Within the past 500 years, European fishers also came to these shores. Many first traveled back to Europe each winter, but over time their descendants remained, and made Bird Cove their home.
We acknowledge the province of Newfoundland and Labrador as the ancestral homelands of many Indigenous people who have contributed to 9,000 years of history . We acknowledge with respect the diverse histories and cultures of the Beothuk, Mi’kmaq, Innu, and Inuit.
5000 Years of History...
Exhibits
Exhibits & Mock Dig
Our exhibits bring the history in our time line to life, offering a meaningful experience for visitors of all ages. Explore the rich narratives, artifacts and ecofacts that tell the story of our local heritage. Arrange a mock dig at the Interpretation Centre for your group and feel the excitement of unearthing artifact replicas, using archaeological techniques.
Trails
Trail Maps & Guided Tours
Join us for engaging and informative museum and site tours. Dive deep into various historical topics with our trained tour guides and share insights that make the past come alive.
Guided museum and trail site tours are available upon request. Please email to book a trail tour in advance. Trail tours can include a simple trail guide and interpreter or a more detailed trail tour including a tradition Newfoundland Boil up/Mug up (meal cooked outdoors on an open fire).
Traditional Food & Crafts
Tea Room & Craft Shop
Newfoundland is known for its rich culinary heritage and crafts. Traditional homemade foods include dishes like Jigg's dinner, Fish and Brews molasses buns and the list goes on. When it comes to crafts, artisans create beautiful items such as hand-knit woolen items, intricate jewelry made from raw materials honoring local history, and unique paintings. These showcase the warmth and creativity of Newfoundland's communities.
Geology
Preserving History
Bird Cove, and the Dog Peninsula, lie at a pivotal point along the Great Northern Peninsula (GNP) of Western Newfoundland. They lie at the edge of the Long Range Mountains, which form the spine of the GNP. The physical geography echoes the underlying rocks and geological history of the region that stretches back to nearly 1.5 billion years. Traces of fossils and minerals, along with a limestone pavement formation, show some of the geological richness of the area.
