MacBride Museum of Yukon History

Whitehorse's oldest museum sits on Front Street a block from the Yukon River, and a log cabin in its yard helps explain why. The MacBride Museum of Yukon History, in downtown Whitehorse, is the territory's main museum of its human and natural story, and the cabin outside belonged to Sam McGee, the real prospector whose name Robert Service borrowed for his poem The Cremation of Sam McGee. The cabin was moved here from its original site and has been restored, and it is one of the most visited buildings in the museum's grounds.

The museum was founded in the mid-20th century to preserve the history of the Klondike Gold Rush and the people of the North, and it takes its name from a local figure who championed the cause. The collection has grown to many thousands of objects and covers a wide span. Galleries tell the stories of the Yukon's First Nations, of whom there are fourteen, with their languages, art, technology and long relationship to the land, using the voices of the people themselves. Other galleries explore the gold rush of 1898, when tens of thousands of people struggled over the passes and down the river to Dawson City, and the settlement of Whitehorse as a transport hub, with riverboats, a railway and later the Alaska Highway.

Several outdoor buildings give a sense of early Whitehorse. A log telegraph office, a trading post and other structures stand in the grounds, with interpreters in summer demonstrating gold panning and other skills, and visitors can try panning for gold themselves. Visitors will find natural history displays show the wildlife of the Yukon, with stuffed animals ranging from moose and bear to small fur-bearers, and fur samples that people can touch. Art lovers will enjoy the works of Ted Harrison, the English-born artist whose bright, simplified paintings of Yukon landscapes became famous across Canada.

The museum runs programmes and special events throughout the year, with talks, activities and festivals, and it is a friendly place for families, with hands-on displays for children. Opening hours vary by season, with longer hours in summer, so check its website. A visit takes about two hours.

Whitehorse's riverfront trail, the SS Klondike sternwheeler and the cafés of downtown are within walking distance. Anyone visiting the Yukon will find the museum a good first stop for understanding the territory.