Come Home To History
Things are heating up at the Colony of Avalon! Re-opening for the 2024 season on May 29th, 2024, we have lots of new things planned. New exhibits, new stories, new recipes, and the same great experience you expect from us! Tours can be booked through our “Book Now” page, though please note the “Dig For A Day” program registration will not open until late April as we work on getting all of our ducks in a row and our dig gear ready for the new season.
Join us next year at the Colony of Avalon to Tour, Dig, Discover. Tour our grounds with breathtaking 360 views on the ocean and walk through history as our guides take you into the 17th Century kitchen. Dig in the active archaeological site which has uncovered over 2 million artifacts to date with our Archaeologist For A Day Program. Discover all that history has to teach you.
Please stay tuned for our Great Colonial Cook-off that happens each year and follow us on social media as we dig deep to bring our finds and 17th century recipes to your home. #ExploreNL #ExploreCanada
See you soon!
Kate Pitcher (Executive Director)
Uncovering, Preserving and Exploring History
With every scrape of an archaeologistβs trowel, stirring of a pot, or planting of a seed, weβre coming a little bit closer to understanding the history of the Colony and the lives of the people who lived here.
Established in 1621 by Sir George Calvert (the First Lord Baltimore), the Colony of Avalon is widely recognized as the best preserved early English colonial site in North America. Today, on-going work at the Colony is changing the way we understand that past.
Think early Newfoundlanders lived in hovels on a diet of fish, fish and more fish? Think all Catholics were persecuted and women were second class citizens? Think again! Imagine a place where substantial stone and timber-frame houses lined a βprettieβ cobblestone street, where protestants AND catholics worshipped in peace, and a woman held most of the power!
Explore More
There is so much to do at the Colony of Avalon! Explore the resources at your fingertips before coming and exploring the history beneath your feet.
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The Dig Site
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Colonial Cook Off
Plan Your Trip
Make The Most Of Your Visit
Whether you’re coming directly to visit, or making us part of your trip around the Irish Loop, it’s worth planning how to make the most of the Colony of Avalon and Ferryland where we’re found.
Make sure you know where to find us, where the best picnic spots are, and what other stops are worth it on your route!