Vancouver Maritime Museum

Set sail for Bowen Island this summer aboard a unique heritage cruise experience. ⚓ Join the Vancouver Maritime Museum for our new Bowen Island Heritage Cruise — a full-day small-group journey departing directly from Heritage Harbour aboard the classic vessel Gikumi. Cruise through English Bay and Howe Sound while hearing stories about Vancouver’s waterfront, coastal communities, and maritime past before arriving at Snug Cove for three hours of self-guided exploration on Bowen Island. Wander the waterfront, visit local cafés and shops, or simply enjoy a summer day by the sea before returning to Vancouver in the afternoon. Book Tickets & More Info: Link in Bio 📍 Departing from Vancouver Maritime Museum Heritage Harbour 📅 July 9 • July 23 • August 15 ⏰ 10:30 AM – 5:00 PM 🎟 $220 per person 👥 Limited to 25 passengers per cruise #VancouverMaritimeMuseum #BowenIsland #Vancouver

🌿 Learn the art of cedar weaving with Red Cedar Woman at the Vancouver Maritime Museum. Join us on Sunday, May 24, from 1pm–2:30pm for a hands-on weaving workshop led by Jessica Silvey of the Silvey Family of Egmont, BC. During this intimate session, participants will learn foundational cedar weaving techniques and create their own cedar-woven frog to take home. 🐸 Red Cedar Woman is an Indigenous-owned and ope rated company focused on sharing authentic Indigenous artistry through traditional and contemporary cedar weaving practices. Book Workshop: Link in Bio. 🎟️ $42 per person ✨ Includes all materials + museum admission 👥 Capacity limited to 20 participants + must be aged 12+. No experience necessary. Advance registration recommended. #VancouverMaritimeMuseum #Vancouver #Museum

🚨 We’re hiring — join the crew! ⚓ Looking for a meaningful summer job in a one-of-a-kind waterfront setting? The Vancouver Maritime Museum is hiring for a variety of Canada Summer Job positions—and this could be your chance to gain hands-on experience while helping share powerful coastal stories. 📚 Archives Assistant Work directly with historical collections—supporting research, digitization, and preservation. Ideal for students or recent grads in archival or library studies looking to build real-world experience. 📅 Apply by May 4th 💲 $24.20/hour 🌊 Marketing Assistant Support campaigns, create content, and help bring museum stories to life across social media, web, and print. Perfect for creative, organized storytellers interested in marketing and communications. 📅 Apply by May 11th 💲 $23.30/hour 🎤 Museum Educator (Interpreter II) Bring history to life through engaging programs and events for visitors of all ages. A great fit for confident communicators who enjoy working with the public and leading interactive experiences. 📅 Apply by May 11th 💲 $22.30/hour 📅 Start dates vary for each position. Please check the eligibility criteria before applying. 🔗 Learn more & apply: Link in Bio. Tag someone who should apply 👇 #VancouverJobs #CanadaSummerJobs #MuseumJobs #SummerJobs

Born in Victoria, British Columbia, in 1909, William K.L. Lore holds the distinction of being the first Chinese-Canadian to serve in the Royal Canadian Navy and the first officer of Chinese descent in any British Commonwealth navy. Despite facing racial discrimination and being denied entry into the RCN three times, Lore's perseverance paid off when, in 1943, Vice-Admiral Percy Nelles personally intervened to facilitate his enlistment. During World War II, Lore served in various capacities, including at the Operational Intelligence Centre in Ottawa and later in London. He was part of the South East Asia Command under Admiral Lord Louis Mountbatten, contributing to operations in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) and planning for the attack on Rangoon, Burma (now Myanmar). Notably, in August 1945, Lore became the first Allied officer to enter Hong Kong after its liberation, leading a party that freed Canadian, British, and Hong Kongese prisoners from the Sham Shui Po POW camp. After the war, he continued his service before retiring in 1948 and later pursued a law degree at Oxford University. Lore passed away in 2012 at the age of 103. ​ Image: Chinese Canadian Military Museum Collections. #AsianHeritageMonth #AsianCanadianHistory #VancouverMaritimeMuseum

#OnThisDay (May 15, 1962): St. Roch Designated a National Historic Site of Canada On May 15, 1962, the RCMP schooner St. Roch was designated a National Historic Site of Canada, recognizing her place in the history of Arctic navigation and Canadian government presence in the North. Built in 1928 for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, St. Roch operated in Arctic waters for over two decades. Under Captain Henry Larsen, the vessel completed passages through the Northwest Passage between 1940 and 1942, and again in a single season in 1944. These voyages formed part of broader efforts to maintain transportation routes and an official Canadian presence in remote northern regions. In addition to navigation, St. Roch supported a range of RCMP responsibilities in the Arctic, including delivering supplies and mail, transporting personnel, and assisting with communication between isolated communities and government outposts. The 1962 designation reflects the vessel’s role within this wider history of Arctic administration and maritime operations in Canada’s North. Have you visited St. Roch at Vanier Park and explored her history in person? Image: Captain Henry Larsen on St Roch in dry dock, HCSR-100-10, Parks Canada, Vancouver Maritime Museum Collections. #vancouvermaritimemuseum #vancouver #museum

The Vancouver Maritime Museum is seeking dynamic and dedicated individuals to join our Board of Directors. We are looking for people who are passionate about maritime history, cultural heritage, the marine environment, and community engagement, and who want to contribute their skills and experience to support the future of the museum. Directors serve on a volunteer basis and are expected to: 💻 Attend monthly Board meetings 💼 Review materials and prepare in advance of meetings 🤝 Serve on at least one Board committee 📈 Contribute professional skills, experience, and perspectives to support the organization’s growth and sustainability We welcome applicants from a wide range of professional and personal backgrounds. Experience in areas such as governance, finance, fundraising, law, education, marketing, community engagement, Indigenous relations, environmental stewardship, arts and culture, or maritime industries is considered an asset. If you’re ready to make an impact and help us build a more inclusive and innovative future for the museum, we’d love to hear from you. More info & apply: Link in Bio. Apply by Sunday, May 31, 2026. #VancouverMaritimeMuseum #Museum #Board

No calls. No emails. No meetings. A place to switch off and enjoy the sun, water, and wooden boats. #vancouvermaritimemuseum #vancouver #museum

From the Collections: This elegant bone china tea set, including a teapot and matching creamers, was Made in England and stamped “Canadian National System.” Each piece features delicate floral bouquets and gold trim, adding a touch of elegance to everyday moments. Sets like this remind us that tea was a familiar ritual for passengers on coastal journeys and provided a moment of comfort and connection while travelling. On International Tea Day, we’re reminded that even at sea, there was always time for a proper cup of tea. Dive into our collections: vmmcollections.com Teapot & Creamers, Floral Motif (Royal Doulton). 1985.1000.003a / 1985.1000.005 / 1985.1000.007. Vancouver Maritime Museum Collection. #VancouverMaritimeMuseum #Museum #Vancouver #InternationalTeaDay

To the moms, grandmothers, aunties, and caregivers who’ve helped us navigate life’s waters — thank you. 💚 From all of us at the Vancouver Maritime Museum, Happy Mother’s Day. #MothersDay #VancouverMaritimeMuseum

Ever wondered what it’s like behind the scenes at a museum library? 📚 Meet Erika, a student who recently completed her practicum at the Vancouver Maritime Museum. From cataloguing books to working closely with collections, she got a hands-on look at how maritime history is preserved and shared. Through her time here, Erika explored stories hidden in the archives, built new skills, and discovered just how much goes on beyond the gallery floor. Thinking about a career in museums or heritage work? This might just inspire you. #VancouverMaritimeMuseum #Vancouver #StudentPracticum #WorkPlacement

Snow goggles, lamps, knives. Simple objects—extraordinary design. Tools like the ulu, qulliq, and ilgaak reflect generations of innovation shaped by the Arctic environment. Many are still used and practiced today. These are just some of the objects you’ll encounter in Iced In —an exhibit that invites closer looking and deeper understanding. Iced In: now on show at the Vancouver Maritime Museum. Image: Inuit man called Hanuak wearing ilgaak (snow goggles), HIOS-30-10. Parks Canada, Vancouver Maritime Museum Collections. #VancouverMaritimeMuseum #Vancouver #Museum #Exhibit #Inuit

Before WWII, Japanese Canadians played a vital role in BC’s fishing industry as fishermen, boat builders, and cannery workers. In 1942, following the attack on Pearl Harbour, the Canadian government confiscated nearly 1,200 Japanese-Canadian-owned fishing boats under the War Measures Act. The vessels were sold without owners’ consent, often far below their value, while over 22,000 Japanese Canadians were forcibly removed from the coast and sent to internment camps. Homes, businesses, and communities were lost. In 2017, The Lost Fleet exhibition at the Vancouver Maritime Museum helped share these stories through photographs, artifacts, and personal accounts. This history is a reminder of how racism shaped policies in Canada and the lasting impact these actions had on Japanese-Canadian communities. Images: Library and Archives Canada Collections. #AsianHeritageMonth #AsianCanadianHistory #VancouverMaritimeMuseum