Home > Heritage Educational Programs > CARMN Guide > Nordegg Historic Site/Nordegg Heritage Centre

The Nordegg Heritage Centre, located on the access road in Nordegg, is open seven days a week, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., from the opening (May long weekend) to closing (early October). During summer months, from Canada Day weekend to the end of Labour Day weekend, there are two tours per day to the Brazeau Collieries Minesite Industrial Museum. The shorter Overview Tour runs at 10 a.m., while the Technical Tour runs at 1 p.m. each day. The latter tour takes visitors inside the buildings of the Coal Processing Plant of the Industrial Museum, where a large amount of the machinery is still in place. During the off-season months of May/June, and September/early October, there is one tour per day, the Technical Tour, which leaves the Centre at 1 p.m. The Nordegg video, A Vision in the Valley, is played in the Centre one-half hour before tours leave for the minesite. The Heritage Centre houses the tourist information desk and a small museum and photo display, which is free of charge. The collection at the museum includes photographs, artifacts, and some archival material relating to the history of Nordegg and area, including that of the nearby Wesley Band of Stoney First Nations people. However, the major emphasis of the museum materials relates to the coal mining industry, from its inception in 1911 to its closure in 1955.

The Nordegg Historical Society continues to stabilize and restore the industrial structures and a trail system has been constructed through the mine site to accommodate guided tours. Although the Society does not currently offer written support materials for specific education programs, educational tours are available for student groups of all ages. Please contact the Head Office in Rocky Mountain House to arrange group tours.

For those visitors who wish to learn more of the history of the town of Nordegg, a self-guided walking tour pamphlet is available at the information desk of the Heritage Centre. However, THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE WALKING THROUGH THE MINESITE. Visitors may not walk through the Brazeau Collieries Industrial Museum unless accompanied by a trained and authorized tour guide.

Also located in the Centre is the Coliseum Gift Shop, with a good supply of unique and unusual items, many of which are handmade by area artisans. The Coalminers Cafe, also in the Centre, serves homemade soup, pies, and sandwiches. Contact the museum for further information.

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