Vancouver Maritime Museum

Vancouver Maritime Museum Sharing stories of the Pacific Northwest and Arctic. National Historic Site of St. Roch.
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The Vancouver Maritime Museum is a great place for families and maritime enthusiasts to explore the maritime heritage of the Pacific Northwest and Arctic.

🌅 One summer night. Three iconic attractions. Endless waterfront vibes.Join us at the Kits Point Patio Party on Friday, ...
06/25/2026

🌅 One summer night. Three iconic attractions. Endless waterfront vibes.

Join us at the Kits Point Patio Party on Friday, July 3 from 5–10 PM as the Vancouver Maritime Museum, Museum of Vancouver, and H.R. MacMillan Space Centre come together for a free evening of live music, food, drinks, family-friendly activities, and some of the best sunset views in the city.

✨ Live performances
🍻 Beer garden & local food vendors
🎨 Hands-on activities
đź”­ Solar viewing & space experiences
🌊 Stunning views across English Bay

Make a night of it by exploring all three cultural attractions in Vanier Park. While the patio party is free to attend, museum admission is separate, with extended gallery hours available during the event.

đź“… Friday, July 3
⏰ 5 PM – 10 PM
đź“Ť Vanier Park

Tag the friends you're bringing and kick off summer at Vancouver's most scenic patio party.

Link in Bio for more info.

From the Collections: This deadeye may not look like much, but it once played an essential role in keeping a ship's rigg...
06/23/2026

From the Collections: This deadeye may not look like much, but it once played an essential role in keeping a ship's rigging under tension. Before the invention of modern turnbuckles, sailors used deadeyes—round wooden blocks with holes drilled through them—paired with rope lanyards to tighten and secure the standing rigging that supported a ship's masts.

This example comes from Roald Amundsen's Maud, the famous Arctic exploration vessel built in Norway in 1917. The deadeye was removed from the ship at Cambridge Bay in 1949, decades after Maud had become trapped in the Canadian Arctic. By then, much of the vessel's woodwork had been stripped away, but this fitting remained remarkably intact.

Designed by the first person to successfully navigate the Northwest Passage, Maud was built to withstand Arctic ice and spent years supporting scientific expeditions in the polar regions. Today, artifacts like this deadeye offer a tangible connection to one of the most significant ships in Arctic exploration history.

Dive into our collections: vmmcollections.com

Deadeye (Maud / Baymaud). 2004.1015.0001. Vancouver Maritime Museum Collection.

(Jun 23, 1940): St. Roch Departs for the Northwest PassageOn June 23, 1940, the RCMP schooner St. Roch departed Vancou...
06/23/2026

(Jun 23, 1940): St. Roch Departs for the Northwest Passage

On June 23, 1940, the RCMP schooner St. Roch departed Vancouver under the command of Sergeant Henry Larsen on a wartime mission through the Canadian Arctic. The voyage was intended to reinforce Canada's presence in the North during the Second World War and would become one of the most significant journeys in the vessel's history.

Navigating the challenging southern route of the Northwest Passage, St. Roch encountered heavy pack ice that forced the crew to spend two winters frozen in place—first at Walker Bay and later at Cambridge Bay. After more than two years in the Arctic, the vessel finally arrived in Halifax on October 11, 1942, becoming the first ship to successfully navigate the Northwest Passage from west to east.

The voyage marked an important chapter in Arctic navigation and in Canada's history in the North. In 1944, *St. Roch* would complete the passage in the opposite direction, becoming the first vessel to navigate the Northwest Passage in both directions and the first to complete the journey in a single season.

Today, St. Roch is preserved at the Vancouver Maritime Museum, where visitors can step aboard the National Historic Site and learn about life in the Arctic during the vessel's years of service.

Have you ever explored St. Roch and imagined what it was like to spend two winters trapped in Arctic ice?

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Image: St. Roch at dock, Item no. LM2006.016.023, Vancouver Maritime Museum Collections.

National Indigenous Peoples Day Today, we celebrate and honour the rich cultures, histories, traditions, and contributio...
06/21/2026

National Indigenous Peoples Day

Today, we celebrate and honour the rich cultures, histories, traditions, and contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and MĂ©tis Peoples across Canada.

As a maritime museum situated on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, we recognize the deep and enduring relationship Indigenous Peoples have with the waters, coastlines, and waterways that have sustained communities for thousands of years.

The maritime history of these lands extends far beyond colonial records. From expertly crafted canoes and sophisticated navigation knowledge to fishing practices, trade networks, and stewardship of coastal ecosystems, Indigenous Peoples have shaped and continue to shape the story of the Pacific Northwest.

Today, and every day, we encourage learning, reflection, and appreciation of the diverse Indigenous cultures that enrich our communities.

(Jun 18, 1935): The Battle of Ballantyne PierOn June 18, 1935, more than 1,000 longshore workers and unemployed suppor...
06/18/2026

(Jun 18, 1935): The Battle of Ballantyne Pier

On June 18, 1935, more than 1,000 longshore workers and unemployed supporters marched toward Vancouver’s Ballantyne Pier to protest the use of strikebreakers during a lockout by the Shipping Federation. The workers were seeking better wages, safer working conditions, and greater control over hiring and dispatching on the waterfront.

Led by First World War Victoria Cross recipient Mickey O’Rourke, the marchers intended to peacefully persuade strikebreakers to leave their jobs. At the intersection of Heatley Avenue and Alexander Street, however, they were met by a large force of local, provincial, and federal police commanded by Vancouver Police Chief W.W. Foster.

When the crowd refused to disperse, police moved in with batons, tear gas, and mounted officers. The confrontation lasted for several hours, leaving dozens injured and resulting in multiple arrests. Although the strike itself was unsuccessful, the events became a defining moment in the history of labour relations on Vancouver’s waterfront.

The Battle of Ballantyne Pier is remembered as an important chapter in British Columbia’s labour movement and helped build solidarity among waterfront workers, contributing to the eventual formation of ILWU Local 500.

Have you visited the Ballantyne Pier memorial or heard stories about Vancouver’s waterfront labour history?

Image: Ballantyne Pier waterfront, CVA 417-1. City of Vancouver Archives.

(Jun 17, 1958): Second Narrows Bridge CollapseOn June 17, 1958, two unfinished spans of the Second Narrows Bridge coll...
06/17/2026

(Jun 17, 1958): Second Narrows Bridge Collapse

On June 17, 1958, two unfinished spans of the Second Narrows Bridge collapsed into Burrard Inlet during construction. Seventy-nine workers plunged approximately 30 metres into the water below, making it one of the worst industrial accidents in British Columbia's history.

The collapse occurred as crews were working to connect the bridge's fifth span. A temporary steel support structure failed, causing a section of the bridge to fall into the inlet and pull another span down with it. Fourteen ironworkers, three engineers, and one painter were killed in the collapse. A commercial diver later died during recovery operations, bringing the total death toll to 19.

A Royal Commission inquiry determined that faulty engineering calculations and inadequate review of the temporary support structure contributed to the disaster. The tragedy led to significant changes in construction practices, safety regulations, and engineering oversight in British Columbia.

Construction resumed after the accident, and the bridge opened in 1960. In 1994, it was renamed the Ironworkers Memorial Second Narrows Crossing in honour of the workers who lost their lives.

Have you crossed the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge and reflected on the history behind its name?

Image: Construction of the Second Narrows Bridge, CVA 354-186. City of Vancouver Archives.

🪢 Knot your average workshop.Step into a centuries-old maritime craft and learn how to weave your own net by hand with a...
06/17/2026

🪢 Knot your average workshop.

Step into a centuries-old maritime craft and learn how to weave your own net by hand with artist and educator Cat Hart. Using a traditional net needle and cotton twine, you’ll discover the techniques sailors, fishers, and makers have used for generations to create and repair nets. Along the way, you’ll explore the history of netmaking and its connections to life on the coast.

No experience needed—all materials are provided. Leave with new skills, a handmade creation, and a deeper appreciation for this timeless maritime tradition.

đź“… Limited spots available
đź“Ť Vancouver Maritime Museum
🎟️ Includes museum admission

Book your spot today!

(Jun 17, 1980): Heritage Harbour OpensOn June 17, 1980, Senator Ray Perrault officially opened the Vancouver Maritime ...
06/17/2026

(Jun 17, 1980): Heritage Harbour Opens

On June 17, 1980, Senator Ray Perrault officially opened the Vancouver Maritime Museum’s Heritage Harbour, including its new harbour, breakwater, and wharf. The project created a dedicated space for preserving and showcasing British Columbia’s maritime heritage on the water.

The development was championed by the late Elsje Armstrong, whose vision was to create a world-class maritime museum in Vancouver. With support from the BC Heritage Trust and donations from corporations, members, and the public, construction began on a 500-foot breakwater and protected harbour beside the museum.

Additional federal funding in 1982 helped complete the harbour, including the floating docks and breakwater improvements. Since then, Heritage Harbour has welcomed a rotating collection of historic vessels connected to B.C.’s coastal history.

Today, it remains a unique floating exhibit where visitors can explore visiting heritage vessels and connect with the region’s maritime traditions.

Have you visited Heritage Harbour or remember a particular vessel that moored there?

Image: Heritage Harbour after construction, 1983. VMM01.3.1. Vancouver Maritime Museum Collections.

From the Collections: With the world focused on football this summer, here's a piece of maritime history that proves fan...
06/16/2026

From the Collections: With the world focused on football this summer, here's a piece of maritime history that proves fans have long enjoyed showing their colours. This CPR egg cup features the iconic red-and-white Canadian Pacific Railway flag and was likely sold as a souvenir aboard CPR coastal steamships.

Canadian Pacific's famous fleet connected communities along the British Columbia coast, carrying passengers, mail, cargo, and tourists through some of the most spectacular scenery in the world. Along the way, travellers could purchase souvenirs like this one to remember their journey.

Today, sports fans wave scarves, wear jerseys, and collect memorabilia to support their teams. A century ago, passengers sailing the coast might have brought home a keepsake like this CPR egg cup instead.

Whether you're cheering for your favourite World Cup team or enjoying breakfast before kickoff, this little souvenir is a reminder that showing your support never goes out of style.

Dive into our collections: vmmcollections.com

CPR Egg Cup. 2010.2.002. Vancouver Maritime Museum Collection.

06/16/2026

âš˝ While Canada prepares to make moves on the pitch, the World Cup ball has been busy exploring Vancouver.

Its latest stop? Vanier Park.

🌊 Vancouver Maritime Museum
🏙️ Museum of Vancouver
🚀 H.R. MacMillan Space Centre

Whether you're visiting for the World Cup or looking for your next local adventure, you can experience all three attractions with the Vanier Park Pass—one ticket, three incredible experiences.

The beautiful game has arrived in Vancouver. Come discover everything else waiting here too.

Filmed by UncannyShots.

Address

1905 Ogden Avenue
Vancouver, BC
V6J1A3

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 5pm
Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

+16042578300

Website

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