Edmonton is rich in history and offers many opportunities to step back in time and discover the culture of the region.

Major Stops

You’ll want to spend half a day or more at these significant sites, where interpreters take you on a journey back in time.

• Fort Edmonton Park. Join the historical players and live life in 1846's Hudson’s Bay trade fort and on the streets of 1885, 1905 and 1920. Ride the 1919 steam train or the streetcar to the 1920s midway. There are lots of hands-on activities—the adventure changes daily. Fox Dr. & Whitemud Dr. 780.442.5311.
• The Royal Alberta Museum. One of Canada’s premiere museums! The museum’s galleries include the internationally acclaimed Syncrude Gallery of Aboriginal Culture, Wild Alberta, Natural History and Fossils. 12845 - 102 Ave. 780.453.9100.
• Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village. Head east on the Yellowhead Hwy and back to the early 1900s, when east central Alberta was home to the largest settlement of Ukrainian pioneers in Canada. Have some fun and interact with the costumed interpreters, they’re ‘real’ characters! 780.662.3640.
• Alberta Legislature Building. Alberta’s architectural treasure, legislature was completed in 1912 on one of the original Fort Edmonton sites. The Legislative Assembly Interpretive Centre highlights the building’s history and the political process. Daily guided tours are available. 10800 - 97 Ave. 780.427.7362.

History Speaks

There is so much to learn and explore with a variety of museums and local attractions.

• Old Strathcona. Look for plaques identifying landmark buildings from South Edmonton’s 1891 beginnings, including the CP Rail Station (now Iron Horse Night Club), Edmonton House Hotel (now Strathcona Hotel) and the Fire Hall (now Walterdale Theatre). Ask about group tours. 780.437.4182.
• Rutherford House. Freshly baked scones and interpreters invite you into this restored Edwardian mansion, home of Alberta’s first Premier Alexander Cameron Rutherford. 11153 Saskatchewan Dr. 780.422.2697.
• John Walter Museum. Three houses on the bank of the North Saskatchewan River depict stages in the life of John Walter, who arrived in 1870 to build York boats for the Hudson’s Bay Company and became one of Edmonton’s early millionaires. Free, old-fashioned fun. Open every Sunday, 1pm to 5pm. 780.442.5311.
• Strathcona County Museum and Archives. View new exhibits portraying the county’s natural, first nations and pioneer history. Walk Sherwood Park's Heritage Mile to view monuments depicting the early 20th century. 913 Ash St. Sherwood Park. 780.467.8189.
• Edmonton Public Schools Archives and Museum. Explore this interesting chapter of our city’s school history, located at 10425 99 Avenue. 780.422.1970.
• Namao Museum. Recall days gone by in a quaint little house in the Hamlet of Namao just north of Edmonton. 780.973.3777.
• Musee Heritage Museum. Artifacts tell the story of St. Albert in this museum. 5 St. Anne Street. St. Albert. 780.459.1528. 
• Reynolds-Alberta Museum. Check out the history and mechanics of the aviation/automotive world through perfectly preserved and restored models. Wetaskiwin. 780.361.1351. 
• Fort Saskatchewan Museum and Historic Site. Learn about the City’s history and heritage through eight buildings and a collection focusing on the North West Mounted Police and the settlement area. 10006 100 Ave., Fort Saskatchewan. 780.998.1783.
• Alberta Prairie Railway Excursions. Offering excursions by steam-locomotive powered vintage train. Tours vary from five - six hours and include entertainment and dinner. Stettler. 403.742.2811. 
• High Level Bridge Streetcar. Experience true history riding a refurbished 1921 streetcar across the river. 780.437.7721

Industry Recalled

Learn about some of the great industries that have contributed to Alberta’s growth as a province.

• Canadian Petroleum Discovery Centre. Explore Leduc #1, the oil well whose 1947 strike forever changed Alberta. Features include interactive displays, games, oil patch veterans as guides, a working drilling rig and an RV campground. South beyond Devon. 780.987.4323. 
• The Alberta Railway Museum. Journey back in time on ‘Locomotive 1392’ and ride the rails at this unique, industrial, iron horse venue located on the northeast edge of Edmonton. This collection focuses on railway equipment from the Canadian National Railway and Northern Alberta Railways. 780.472.6229. 
• Alberta Aviation Museum. Visit vintage planes dating from the 1920s, restored aircraft and the aviation gift shop. 11410 Kingway Ave. 780.451.1175. 
• Andrew Elevator. Picture the heritage of the community of Andrew through its grain. While there, explore the CP Station/Museum. 780.365.3687
• St. Albert Grain Elevator Park. Home to two of Alberta’s provincially designated Grain Elevators. Built in 1906 and 1929, they are a reminder of the city’s agricultural past and symbols of our heritage. 780.459.1528
• Telephone Historical Centre. This historical centre boasts an extensive collection of antique telephones and telecommunications technology. Prince of Wales Armouries Heritage Centre, 10440 108 Ave NW. 780.433.1010.

Mural Wanders

Sprouting in various communities, historic murals are deep rooted here.

• Stony Plain. Drive west on Hwy 16A to see over 27 life-size outdoor murals. Ask for a Mural Guide at the Multicultural Heritage Centre. 780.963.2777, or view a virtual tour at . 
• Legal. Head north on Hwy 2 to see over 28 murals that welcome visitors to this bilingual town. 1.866.546.7783. 
• Old Strathcona. Over 40 murals decorate electric boxes throughout Old Strathcona to celebrate their history. 780.437.4182. 

Kalyna Country

Three dozen traditional and open air museums preserve the rich heritage of the Kalyna Country, just north east of Edmonton. Rather than displaying artifacts in one central location, this ecomuseum invites visitors to experience history and nature in their original settings while enjoying the communities created today. 1.888.452.5962. 

• Victoria Trail. Drive through picturesque farmland, catch panoramic vistas of the North Saskatchewan River and finish up at the Victoria Settlement Provincial Historical Site on this self-guided tour. 
• Iron Horse Trail. Experiece views of the North Saskatchewan river, borreal forest, parkland wetlands and other historical attractions within almost 300 km of multi-use trails. 
• Wild Rose Trail. Open by appointment year round. Follow the trail to visit local artists, antique shops, restaurants and more. 780.875.5717. 

Religious Sites

From onion-domed Byzantine style churches to Catholic missions, you’ll find signs of early settlers’ devout faith throughout the region.

• Lamont County. Emerging as church capital of North America with 47 sites, Lamont County offers a self-guided church tour booklet. 780.895.2233. 
• Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto (Skaro Shrine). Built in 1919 by local parishioners, this replica of the grotto of Lourdes in France attracts up to 3,000 pilgrims each August. 5 St. Vital Avenue, St. Albert.
• Basilian Fathers Museum and Monastery. This museum showcases over 100 years of the Basilian Fathers’ mission through an extensive collection of photographs and artifacts. The nearby grotto is still used to celebrate Divine Liturgies. 5419 Sawchuk St., Mundare. 780.764.3887. 
• Historic Mission Hill. Visit St. Albert’s 1861 Father Lacombe Chapel, Alberta’s oldest standing log structure. Don’t miss the Father Lacombe Statue, as well as a crypt, historic grotto and cemetery. Open through September. St. Vital Avenue, St. Albert. 780.459.7663