Open from June to September, this heritage centre is an important stop during your trip to Channel-Port Aux Basques. You’ll get to partake in an interpretative tour which takes you back in time. 

You can view two rare Mushrow astrolabes found on the coast, stop by the craft store and look at handmade items reflecting the culture of the Port Aux Basques area. 

The first astrolabe was discovered by Wayne Mushrow in 1981. It was more than 350 years old when first found, but it was still in working order. It was the only one of its kind found in Canada. The second astrolabe was found by Mushrow in 1983 and was just over 200 years old. 

You can also learn about the Great Lockie McDougall, known as a human wind gauge. He was able to read the signs of an approaching storm. The NFL Railway paid him to warn them of the onset of extreme winds. 

Photo: portauxbasques.ca

Port aux Basques appear as a playable area in the 2014 videogame Assassin’s Creed Rogue. 

Assassin’s Creed: Rogue is a 2014 open-world action-adventure game. The game features three main areas: the North Atlantic, the fictional River Valley (partly inspired by the Hudson Valley), and New York City. 

Port aux Basques is in the first area. The place was settled by fisher-folk from the Channel Islands in the early 1700s. Port aux Basques refer to the harbour that was a favoured sheltering and watering place for Basque whalers.

In the 18th century, the area was home to a modest French settlement, protected by a palisade wall and a small port constructed near the coast. Various supplies were stored in one of the outpost’s warehouses.