British Columbia - Museums

Vancouver Maritime Museum

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The Vancouver Maritime Museum is a museum located in Vanier Park, Vancouver, Canada. It was founded in 1959 and is dedicated to preserving and promoting the maritime history and heritage of the Pacific Northwest. The museum's collection includes over 15,000 maritime artifacts, including model ships, navigational instruments, and photographs. One of the highlights of the collection is the St. Roch, a historic Arctic exploration vessel that was the first ship to circumnavigate North America. The museum also features several permanent exhibits, including the Canadian Navy Gallery, which showcases the history of the Canadian Navy, and the Arctic Gallery, which explores the history of Arctic exploration. In addition to its exhibits and collections, the Vancouver Maritime Museum also offers a range of educational programs and activities, including guided tours, workshops, and hands-on activities for children. Overall, the Vancouver Maritime Museum is a fascinating destination for anyone interested in maritime history and culture, and is definitely worth a visit if you're in Vancouver.

Additional details

  • The museum is housed in a beautiful Art Deco building that was originally built in 1931 as a Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) facility. The building was converted into a museum in the 1950s, and has since undergone several renovations and expansions.
  • The St. Roch, the museum's most famous exhibit, is a historic schooner that was built in 1928 and used by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to patrol the Arctic. In 1944, the St. Roch became the first ship to sail the entire Northwest Passage from west to east, and in 1948, it became the first ship to circumnavigate North America.
  • In addition to the St. Roch, the museum has several other historic vessels on display, including the RCMP patrol vessel Nadon, the tugboat Master, and the Pacific Yellowfin, a luxury yacht built in 1943.
  • The museum's permanent exhibits include the Children's Maritime Discovery Centre, which is geared towards younger visitors and features interactive exhibits and activities; the Model Ships Gallery, which showcases a collection of over 90 model ships; and the Captain James Cook exhibit, which explores the life and voyages of the famous explorer.
  • The Vancouver Maritime Museum also hosts a variety of special events throughout the year, including lectures, film screenings, and musical performances.
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  • The museum is open daily from 10am to 5pm, and admission fees vary depending on age and residency status. The museum is located in Vanier Park, which is also home to several other museums and cultural institutions, as well as a beautiful waterfront park with stunning views of downtown Vancouver and the North Shore mountains.



Museum Details

  • 1905 Ogden Ave. Vancouver, BC V6J 1A3 Phone: 604-238-8050 Email: britannia@richmond.ca
  • Richmond, BC V7E 6P3
  • Phone: (604) 257-8300
  • Email: info@vanmaritime.com
  • WEBSITE

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Reference: Article by (Staff Historian), 2023

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