Our Galleries
Our extensive collection of Atlantic salmon memorabilia is housed in three separate galleries, one on the Main Floor and two on our lower level. At the present time we are showcasing the creations of William Cushner (1914 – 1992) who is world-renowned for his stunning fly plates – a combination of beautiful art and exquisite salmon flies (created by some of the best tiers in the world) that appear to be floating within a framework of wood and glass. Thanks to the generosity of the John Keith-King Estate, the Atlantic Salmon Museum now owns over 100 Cushner fly plates, more than any other museum in the world.
Also on display are components of what we refer to as our “heritage” collection, the bulk of which is currently in storage while the Keith-King collection is being featured. You’ll see a wide assortment of fishing rods and reels, as well as a tribute to the Museum’s Hall of Famers, individuals whose lives have been intertwined with that of the Atlantic salmon. For more information about our Hall of Fame, click here.
If you are interested in donating an item to our collection, please get in touch with us. Our Collections Management Committee will review your request (based on the item’s relevance to our mandate, and give you an answer within a three-week time frame.
Our Aquarium
With help from our partner, the Miramichi Salmon Association, our aquarium provides a summer home for salmon fry, parr, smolt, and — if we’re lucky — one or two adult Atlantic salmon. We also use our tanks to exhibit other types of River inhabitants (trout and eels are two prime examples) and for the last several years, three red-eared slider turtles (American ex-patriots) affectionately named “Betty,” “Veronica” and “Squirt” have also taken up residence with us. Please note, however, that because of our relatively cool spring and fall temperatures, the aquarium is open to the pubic during the months of July and August only.
Riverside Treasures Gift Shop
Our Riverside Treasures Gift Shop is the place for everything you need, whether you’re a tourist, a first-time visitor, or someone who’s come back for another look. It’s where you’ll pay your admission fee and start your tour of the Museum; where you’ll get travel tips and perhaps buy an ice cream or a bag of chips for the road; and where you’ll find a large selection of hand-picked items sure to tempt your eye as a souvenir, a gift for someone special, or simply a well-deserved treat for yourself.
Most of our products are made either in the Doaktown area or in New Brunswick and include T shirts, jackets, hoodies, jewelry, artwork, and prints (framed or unframed) by artists such as John Swan, Arthur Taylor and Kim Stubbs. Don’t forget to check out our book shelves too – we feature works by Wayne Curtis, Gerry Parker, George Frederick Clarke, and many more. Always on offer and always popular is 160 Years of Salmon Stories by Morris Green, a tribute to those who have been inducted into the Salmon Museum’s Hall of Fame and an impressive account of the Atlantic salmon’s impact on our Miramichi way of life.
Because the Museum is a not-for-profit organization, all items are tax free.