Summary
1905 Ogden Ave, Vancouver, BC V6J 1A3, Canada
Phone: +1 604-257-8300
Quirky and cozy, the Vancouver Maritime Museum houses more than 15,000 objects and 100,000 images in storage or on display. Located in Vanier Park, Kitsilano, this small triangular building is home to a range of permanent and touring exhibits that celebrate maritime history.
History of Vancouver Maritime Museum
The Vancouver Maritime Museum opened in 1959, aiming to preserve the maritime history of the Pacific Northwest and the Arctic as part of a provincial Centennial project. Moreover, in 1972, the Vancouver Museums and Planetarium Association took over the management of the Vancouver Maritime Museum on behalf of the City of Vancouver.
Exhibits at the Vancouver Maritime Museum
Ten Canadian museums, including the Vancouver Maritime Museum, share the ongoing story of the Franklin Expedition through pop-up displays and programming as part of the Franklin Museum Network. The Vancouver Maritime Museum’s “The Franklin Exploration” exhibit delves into the search for the lost ships of the Franklin Expedition—an ill-fated Arctic venture that took place 170 years ago.
The story began in 1845 when British explorer Sir John Franklin embarked on an Arctic expedition to find the Northwest Passage and gather new scientific insights. Two ships, HMS Erebus and HMS Terror, with a total crew of 134 men, set forth on this adventure. However, three years later, the ships hadn’t returned, prompting large-scale search efforts that ultimately proved unsuccessful.
Eventually, HMS Erebus was discovered by archaeologists in 2014, followed by HMS Terror in 2016. The interactive pop-up display, “The Franklin Exploration,” contextualizes the mysteries surrounding Franklin’s ill-fated voyage against the backdrop of science and exploration, examining why the expedition took place and providing insights from early search efforts.
“Across the Top of the World: The Quest for the Northwest Passage” is a permanent exhibit in the museum’s dry dock. This exhibit chronicles the extensive search for the passage through the Canadian Arctic.
The Vancouver Maritime Museum also boasts a considerable range of archives and artifacts, including navigational tools, charts, books, posters, and uniforms that illuminate the area’s naval history, Vancouver’s waterfront, shipping, and recreational boating.
What to See at Vancouver Maritime Museum
Highlights of the museum include artist K.A. Colorado’s “On Thin Ice,” which is on permanent display in the lobby. Colorado’s Ice Core Sculpture Series incorporates unique forms embedded with scientific writings, geological material, and even animal DNA.
St. Roch, the first vessel to navigate the Northwest Passage from west to east (1940-1942) and to complete the passage in one season (1944), is displayed permanently at the museum. The ship was constructed with robust Douglas Fir planks designed to endure ice pressures and features an outer shell made of eucalyptus. Visitors to this National Historic Site can explore the ship’s decks, interior cabins, and even take the helm.
Model ship enthusiasts have the opportunity to see master builder Lucian Ploias at work in his shop within the museum, typically open to visitors from Tuesdays to Thursdays.
Additionally, the museum showcases an intricate model of the French warship, the Avenger of the People, crafted using pork bones from the rations of French prisoners of war during the Napoleonic era.
Children can enjoy the Maritime Discovery Centre, where they can operate a submersible, ‘steer’ a tugboat, and explore the forecastle of Discovery—Captain George Vancouver’s ship.
Outside the museum, visitors can find the Ben Franklin, a yellow submarine that was the first submersible engineered specifically to drift with ocean currents. In 1969, the Gulf Stream Project saw six scientists live aboard the Ben Franklin for 30 days as it drifted along the Gulf Stream.
Make sure to visit the Heritage Harbour, where classic and heritage vessels are docked at the Kitsilano quayside, in close proximity to the museum.
How to Visit
The Vancouver Maritime Museum is located in Vanier Park, adjacent to the Museum of Vancouver and the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre. It is a 15-minute walk along the seawall from Granville Island, or a short boat ride on False Creek Ferries from the West End.
The museum welcomes visitors Monday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with extended hours until 8 p.m. on Thursdays. Admission prices are set at $13.50 for adults, $10 for youths, and $11 for students and seniors, while children under 5 enter for free.
