Flying Boat Museum & Botwood Heritage Centre
Welcome to a journey through time at Botwood’s World-Class museums! Botwood Heritage proudly manages two exceptional museums: the Botwood Heritage Centre and the Botwood Flying Boat Museum. Each museum offers a unique glimpse into our rich local and aviation histories, attracting over 10,000 visitors annually from diverse backgrounds.
Botwood Heritage Centre
The Botwood Heritage Centre is dedicated to preserving and showcasing the vibrant history of our community. Visitors can explore exhibits that tell the stories of our past, from the early days of settlement to significant events that have shaped our region. The Botwood Heritage Centre narrates the tale of our local history and has recently undergone significant exterior renovations, along with a complete overhaul of our main exhibit room. In addition to this, the museum features 11 other exhibits, which include displays on the Beothuk, shipbuilding, military history, industrial history, a Flying Ace exhibit, early history, a long gun collection, an antique snowmobile collection, and much more.
Botwood Flying Boat Museum
The Botwood Flying Boat Museum celebrates our outstanding aviation history. This museum is a must-see for aviation enthusiasts and history buffs alike. Our Botwood Flying Boat Museum showcases the fascinating story of our vibrant aviation heritage. It highlights the period from 1920 to 1945 when the eyes of the world were focused on Botwood due to its ties to the first transatlantic flights and the renowned flying boats. Additionally, it served as an RCAF Seaplane base, playing a crucial role in the strategic defense of Newfoundland’s east coast. The Flying Boat museum also features the Ev Elliott Archives, which include a repository, archives, a theater, and flight simulators.
Botwood Heritage Park
Nestled within the historic grounds of a former WWII RCAF Seaplane Base, the Botwood Heritage Park is home to both museums, a PBY Catalina, a marina, and four ammunition bunkers. This picturesque setting offers visitors a chance to immerse themselves in history while enjoying the natural beauty of the park. Our heritage park is a popular destination for locals, and Killick Island, home to our WWII ammunition bunkers, is a favored spot for walking.
Guided Tours: We offer a variety of tours to enhance your visit:
Museum Tours: Experience in-depth tours of both museums. We accommodate groups of all sizes and tailor each tour to meet the needs of our visitors.
Walking Tours: Explore the Heritage Park and its historical significance through our engaging walking tours.
Mural Tours: In collaboration with the Botwood Mural Arts Society, enjoy a tour of the 3 murals that adorn our museums . These artworks beautifully narrate our aviation history.
Baetha Statues and Healing Garden, Blueberry Hill
Guided Tour: Explore the Baetha Statues and Healing Garden, which offers a stunning view of Botwood Harbour and commemorates the location where Demasduit, one of the last Beothuks, passed away on January 8, 1820. This site honors Demasduit, her husband Nonsosabut, and their child through bronze statues and a healing garden that encourages reflection on the journey toward truth and reconciliation.
Contact: Botwood Heritage
botwoodheritage@hotmail.com
Address: 12 Airbase Road, Botwood
Off-Season contact: (709) 257-2839
Flying Boat Museum
Phone: (709) 257-4134
Botwood Heritage Centre
Phone: (709) 257-4612
