Conception Bay Museum

In local folklore, the earliest structure on this site was the pirate Peter Easton’s fortifications, constructed circa spring 1612.

George Tapp, a resident from St. Philip’s, built a new brick and slate-roofed structure on this site for the government in 1870, which would become the new Customs House. The Customs House was the center of business and international trade for all Conception Bay ports and reinforced the commercial character of Harbour Grace. Vessels leaving Newfoundland would be subject to government tariffs. Customs duty taxes would be collected on imported goods and animals.

Later, the Customs House was a tuberculosis clinic and an office for the Department of Social Services. Under the stewardship of the Conception Bay Museum Association, the building was designated a National Exhibition Centre in 1974 and a museum in 1975, and continues as a museum today.