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. The Trinity Historical Society has created something truly special—a living museum where you don't just observe history, you experience it.
The Society operates several 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. The Trinity Experience pass includes admission to the Lester-Garland House, Cooperage, Green Family Forge, 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 you can watch skilled blacksmiths Wade Ivany and Devin Hookey work with traditional tools and methods, Monday through Saturday.
The Green Family practiced 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, 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 produces items for sale including letter openers, roasting forks, candle holders, sign brackets, hinges, and planters. You can even take home a piece of authentic Trinity craftsmanship.
Want to Really Get Your Hands Dirty?
For those seeking an extraordinary experience, the Trinity Historical Society offers a Blacksmith for a Day experience. Under the supervision of master blacksmiths, you'll learn the basics of starting the fire, working with iron, and create your own item to take home as a souvenir. This hands-on workshop includes safety instruction and a full immersion into the blacksmith's trade—a truly unforgettable experience.
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 meticulously 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 to the archival collection of the Trinity Historical Society that dates back to the 1740s.
The Trinity Museum: 2,000 Stories Waiting to Be Told
The Trinity Museum, housed in an 1880s saltbox-style home, holds approximately 2,000 artifacts from various aspects of life in Trinity and the surrounding communities, offering 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 performed on site by staff and volunteers, giving visitors hands-on experience with traditional Newfoundland crafts. During the operational season, visitors are invited to try their hand at hooking a traditional mat using scraps of cloth—a beloved traditional pastime.
The collection itself tells the complete story of Trinity life, with artifacts from commercial, domestic, fishing, sealing, medical, governmental and other trades. From household items to military memorabilia from both World Wars, 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.
Learning Beyond the Sites: Summer Speaker Series
The Trinity Historical Society's commitment to education extends beyond their physical sites. Throughout the summer season, they host a fascinating Summer Speaker Series featuring experts, historians, and storytellers who dive deep into various aspects of Trinity's rich history and Newfoundland culture. Can't make it in person? Recorded seminars are available for purchase, so you can enjoy these enlightening presentations anytime.
More Historic Sites to Explore
What sets the Trinity Historical Society apart is how they've created a comprehensive historical experience with their key sites:
Other Provincial Historic Sites in Trinity:
While exploring Trinity, you'll also want to visit these beautifully preserved sites managed by the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador:
Private and Exclusive Experiences
Looking for something more personal? The Trinity Historical Society can arrange private and exclusive tours tailored to your interests and schedule. Whether you want an in-depth exploration of the archives for genealogical research, a private blacksmith experience for your group, or an after-hours tour of the historic sites, they're happy to accommodate special requests.
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 their work with the forge in 2004.
Planning Your Visit
The Trinity Historical Society sites are open from June through October (June 2 to October 12), with daily hours from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm, making them perfect for summer exploration. The Trinity Experience pass gives you access to all the Society's sites and is exceptional value.
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, participating in the Blacksmith for a Day experience, 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.
Plan Your Visit:
For more information, admission rates, and to arrange private tours or the Blacksmith for a Day experience, visit trinityhistoricalsociety.com.
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