Heritage and Culture
During the period 1890 to 1940, Grand Bank, with its fleet of banking and foreign-going ships, earned the distinction of being ‘The Bank Fishing Capital’ of Newfoundland and Labrador. Dozens of schooners landed their catches in Grand Bank’s harbor as their fish harvests were cured on the wide cobblestone beaches. This marked the beginning of increased prosperity for the community and for the next 60 years, fleets of wooden schooners headed for the Grand Banks of Newfoundland. Merchants also engaged large three-masted schooners for local trade and overseas markets.
While the fishery is no longer the primary driver of Grand Bank’s economy, the community has embraced its unique history, with attractions such as the Southern Newfoundland Seamen's Museum, which boasts Atlantic Canada’s largest mural and the George C. Harris House, a traditional merchant’s home which has been converted into a museum staffed by workers in period costume.
Grand Bank is also home to the Grand Bank Regional Theatre Festival, which throughout the summer season produces a variety of plays, musical theatre, and dinner theatres, which depict history, humor, and tragedy. Grand Bank also has an eight day-long Summer Festival that attracts visitors from across the world. There is food, entertainment, fireworks and the famous dory races.