MacBride Museum - Whitehorse, Yukon

No trip to the Yukon is complete without a stop at the fantastic McBride Museum of Yukon History in Whitehorse. If you want to get a quick run through of the fascinating history of the north, then there is no better place than here.

The museum tells the fascinating stories of the events and people that built Canada's Yukon and the place is literally overflowing with memorabilia and artifacts (over 24,000 pieces to be exact!). A huge complex sprawling across several buildings and out into various courtyards the many exhibits showcase actual artifacts that were salvaged from the destructive hands of time; many by the passionate man named Bill MacBride, the driving force behind the creation of the Yukon's first official museum.

The museum is full of historical gems like locomotive Engine 51 that carried the gold rush seekers across the treacherous White Pass to stake their claims to fortune, the famous log cabin of the iconic Yukon character Sam McGee, an 1898 Miners Saloon with a unique story of how it came to the museum, fur trappers gear and artifacts, First Nations history and even a hands-on gold panning station where you can try your own hand at striking it rich!

Our guide for our tour through the museum was Leighann Chalykoff, the Communications Director at the museum. She knew lots about the history of the north and was very proud of the MacBride Museum. She said it was one of the Yukon's most popular stops for tourists and they received visitors from all over the world all year long. Summer was especially busy as they run special exhibits and events, including many events for kids but she was especially proud of that fact that they are the only museum in the Yukon that is open all winter long!

So next time you hit the north, be sure to stop by; even if it's in the winter when you're up above the 50th parallel in search of the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights). And when you're there be sure to say hi to Chris for us. He never continued on the tour but stayed behind in the Yukon to become a trapper. With that beard he at least looks the part.

Good luck Chris!

Follow the Great Canadian Adventure Tour
Visit our site: http://www.greatcanadianadventuretour...

Join us on Facebook and Twitter:
http://www.facebook.com/GreatCanadian...
http://twitter.com/#!/CanadaAdventure

• Category

  Travel & Events