Museums & Heritage Sites

Due to the shifting nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, events and opening hours of many organizations may change from time to time. Should you plan a visit or wish to attend an event with an arts organization listed on Art-BC.com, we recommend that you visit their website for up-to-date details on their offerings and safety protocols.

Welcome to British Columbia’s Museums and Heritage Sites. Natural landscapes, art, and regional stories await your discovery! British Columbia is a hub of vibrant history and creative destinations. Even more, we've got the scoop on the best places to visit: First, climb aboard a train and into an underground tunnel at Britannia Mine Museum. Next, explore the unique world of the South Okanagan at the Penticton Museum and Archives. Finally, experience the rich traditions of the Tsimshian First Nation at the Museum of Northern BC. And that is just the beginning of your cultural tour! BC's Museums and Heritage Sites are a great place to spend time with the whole family. Book your vacation days now, because these places are not to be missed!

Nisga’a Museum / Hli Goothl Wilp Adokshl Nisga’a

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Welcome to Hli Goothl Wilp-Adokshl Nisga’a, a name representing the four tribes that make up the Nisga’a Nation. The museum displays artifacts of all four peoples within its permanent exhibition, an assemblage of 300+ art objects that left the Nass Valley in the latter part of the 19th Century and early part of the 20th Century. During the struggle for Read more...

Haida Gwaii Museum at Kay Llangaay

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The Museum offers a fascinating look into Haida Gwaii culture from diverse perspectives that explores; Haida knowledge, scientific information, natural specimens, oral history and art all blend together in a fluid and constantly changing exhibit context. We work collaboratively with communities and organizations to provide an inspiring and holistic learning experience of all things Haida Gwaii. The Haida Gwai Museum Read more...

Barkerville Historic Town & Park

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It’s 1862. You are hand-digging through layers of soggy, worthless, frustrating gravel, hoping and praying the next shovel-stroke will expose a fortune in gold. Everyone says it’s crazy, but there’s too much at stake. Then, just when the outcome seems impossibly bleak, at a depth of 52 feet the ground begins to pay. The lead is struck, and the greatest Read more...

Museum of Surrey

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Museum of Surrey is your museum. From brief conversations to big collaborations, your voice is heard and incorporated into everything we do. Vibrant, interactive and ever changing, it’s a free local venue for wonder, connection and fun. The dynamic space includes a flexible gallery for international and national exhibitions, TD Explore Zone, Textile Centre, Indigenous Hall, community events and space Read more...

Caetani Cultural Centre

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The Caetani Cultural Centre (C3) provides a venue for artists, writers, and creative individuals from across Canada and the world to explore a diverse range of arts practices, theories and experiences through an active residency program. A 120+ year old heritage site is located on 1.5 acres of land in the heart of Vernon, BC. C3 encourages participants to experiment, Read more...

London Heritage Farm

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London Heritage Farm is a 4 acre heritage site that overlooks the south arm of the Fraser River. The site offers a fully restored 1880s farmhouse, heritage and herb gardens, the restored Spragg family barn, vintage farm equipment and extensive lawns. Hours: The farm house is closed. The gardens remain open-Monday to Sunday, dawn to dusk. Read more...

Kitimat Museum & Archives

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Explore town history with the coming of Alcan’s aluminum smelter in the 1950s, early valley settlement, and Haisla traditional arts and technology. Additional displays feature regional geology, flora, and fauna. Historical Collection of videos, courtesy of Rio Tinto BC Works, showcasing the early years of the original Kitimat Project. Nechako Survey – (Historical Collection circa 1950) Prelude to Kitimat – Read more...

Steveston Interurban Tram

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Hours: Currently Closed The newly restored Tram Car 1220 opens a door to Richmond’s fascinating transportation history. Housed in a light-filled building reminiscent of the first Steveston Station, Tram Car 1220 sits on the original rail tracks it ran on until 1958. It is Richmond Museum’s largest artefact. For more information, including opening hours and upcoming special events, visit: www.richmond.ca/interurban1220 Read more...

Whistler Museum and Archives

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Come experience Whistlers unique history! Explore interactive exhibits, listen to local stories, and discover Whistlers journey from a popular fishing destination in the early 1900s to the world-class resort and community it is today- including the six separate bids that culminated in the 2010 Winter Games. Highlights include a gift shop featuring local authors, a kids area, film screenings, ongoing Read more...

Tems Swiya Museum

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We are located uniquely at the centre of the Sunshine Coast. We are a very proud museum as it is managed by our Shishalh people. We give a in depth tour, telling our history and culture to all that enter. The museum artifacts are found in our land, thus giving it the name Tems Swiya which translates to Our World Read more...

Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site

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Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site is an authentic representation of a once thriving community of canneries, boat yards, residences. City of Richmond staff and dedicated volunteers work together to preserve and restore the shipyard and surrounding buildings as an active wooden boat centre and waterfront park. Tour the oldest shipyard buildings in British Columbia, you experience the history of fishing Read more...

Penticton Museum & Archives

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Explore the unique world of the South Okanagan beyond its famous ‘beaches and peaches’ with tons of hands-on displays and activities for the whole family. Browse through our links to the left to learn about the museum, view our current and upcoming exhibits, and get involved! Read more...

Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site

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Built in 1894 as a salmon cannery in the fishing village of Steveston, the Gulf of Georgia Cannery was once the largest of its kind, earning it the nickname “The Monster Cannery”. Today, interactive displays and exhibits present the history of Canada’s west coast fishing industry, where visitors of all ages will enjoy exploring a restored salmon canning line from Read more...

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Filberg Heritage Lodge & Park

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A gem of Vancouver Island Heritage; Filberg Park is nine acres of breathtakingly landscaped waterfront green space, gardens and heritage buildings, in Comox, British Columbia. The park features 130 varieties of trees, seasonal gardens, and hundreds of rhododendrons.At the heart of the site is the 1930’s heritage lodge, the former home of local pioneers Robert and Florence Filberg. Filberg Heritage Read more...

Richmond Museum

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We’ll make you curious about our city’s colourful and diverse history when you join us for a journey of discovery as we explore our place in the world. From First Nations baskets to bog horseshoes and Chinese opera costumes, the City of Richmond’s 20,000+ artefact collection tells the many stories of Richmond. Artefacts in the City of Richmond Collection tell Read more...

Trethewey House Heritage Site

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Trethewey House was built near the shores of Mill Lake in 1919 by provincial lumber baron Joseph Ogle “J.O” Trethewey. President of the Abbotsford Lumber Company between 1919 and 1927, he led the company during their boom years in the 1920s. The House has undergone extensive restoration work and has been restored to c. 1925 with the help of local Read more...

Steveston Museum

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Hours: Currently closed Steveston Museum is a beloved heritage gem in the heart of Steveston Village. The 1905 building was originally Steveston’s first bank. The museum has housed the Steveston Post Office for over 40 years. The museum offers exhibits about the tragedies and triumphs of the local community, including Japanese Canadians. Read more...

Branscombe House

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Branscombe House is located at 4900 Steveston Highway and is one of the earliest homes built in the area; as such it is significant for its historical association to Steveston and for reflecting the pattern of commercial and related residential development that occurred in Steveston’s early history. The Branscombe House Artist-in-Residence is selected annually via an Open Call. Read more...

Touchstones Gallery & Museum

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Touchstones Nelson: Museum of Art and History is a multi-faceted cultural hub located in downtown Nelson. We house a regional archives, history collection, regional museum, two contemporary gallery spaces, a stunning gift shop, and a newly opened Cold War Bunker! Our mission is to provide accessible, integrative art and regional history programs to encourage new perspectives, and foster a collaborative Read more...

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Mennonite Heritage Museum

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The Mennonite Heritage Museum is owned by the Mennonite Museum Society. Established in 2011, the goals of the Society are: to engage present and future generations with the Mennonite story through a variety of mediums, including both permanent and temporary exhibits, films, and interactive digital displays; to preserve and document the history of Mennonites who came to British Columbia from Read more...

Kamloops Museum and Archives

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WELCOME TO THE KAMLOOPS MUSEUM AND ARCHIVES! The KMA’s permanent exhibitions consistently evolve to more inclusively showcase Kamloops’ culture through the voices of its many communities. Current issues, events, and ideas are explored in our temporary display gallery, brining rigorous and relevant exhibitions to Kamloops. The KMA seeks to foster pride of place and offers a unique experience for creativity and Read more...

MOA | Museum of Anthropology

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Just 20 minutes from downtown Vancouver and the Vancouver International Airport, the Museum of Anthropology, located at the University of British Columbia, houses one of the world’s finest displays of Northwest Coast First Nations arts in a spectacular Arthur Erickson-designed building overlooking mountains and sea. Inside the soaring glass and concrete structure of MOA’s Great Hall, see magnificent carvings, weavings Read more...

BC Farm Museum

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Located in historic Fort Langley the BC Farm Museum has the province’s largest collection of pioneer and agricultural artifacts. Something of interest for every age. Kids love our Scavenger Hunt (with a prize) and after Covid19, rope making, tomato and egg sorting demonstrations. Visitors learn how people lived without electricity and can see first-hand several wooden ice boxes (early refrigerators), see early windmills Read more...

North Pacific Cannery National Historic Site

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North Pacific Cannery | National Historic Site is unique among the few surviving salmon canneries. It was established in 1889 and is the oldest remaining intact cannery on the West Coast of North America and ran continuously for almost 100 years. Original architecture and the pristine BC wilderness set the backdrop for a unique and engaging experience. As a visitor Read more...

Ksan Historical Village And Museum

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Found within Gitxsan Territory, Ksan Historical Village stands where the village of Gitanmaax has existed for centuries. It is the desire of Ksan to preserve and truthfully portray the lifestyle of the people who have always lived here. ‘Ksan Historical Village and Museum is located near the ancient village of Gitanmaax, at the confluence of the Bulkley and Skeena Rivers Read more...

Museum of Vancouver

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The Museum of Vancouver is open with health and safety measures and timed-entry tickets to allow the public to safely enjoy the galleries and exhibitions currently on view. Gain a deeper understanding of our city through stories, objects and shared experiences at Museum of Vancouver (MOV). Learn about Vancouver’s past from 1900 to 1970 by visiting MOV’s History Galleries. Discover the Read more...

Britannia Mine Museum

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Britannia Mine Museum opens up a little-seen world that fascinates all ages. Just like miners did, visitors climb aboard a train and rumble into an underground tunnel. Let our quick-witted and knowledgeable tour guides usher you to years gone by. It’s a ride that introduces the joys, noise and stories of Britannia’s history and pioneers. Spend your day panning for Read more...

Audain Art Museum

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The Audain Art Museum opened in 2016 and was founded by Vancouver home builder and philanthropist Michael Audain and his wife Yoshiko Karasawa. The 56,000 square foot structure is located in Whistler, British Columbia, and was designed by the award-winning architectural firm Patkau Architects. The Museum’s permanent collection showcases the Art of British Columbia from the late 18th century to Read more...

Museum of Northern BC

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Enter the Museum of Northern BC in Prince Rupert and experience the beauty of Northwest Coast architecture and the rich traditions of the Tsimshian First Nation. Located overlooking Prince Rupert Harbour, the Museum is renowned for its spectacular collection of timeless art, that bring to life the history and culture of the Northwest Coast. The Museum also features the dramatic Read more...

R.J. Haney Heritage Village & Museum

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R.J. Haney Heritage Village, the Museum and Archives, located at 751-Highway 97B, is a lovely place that offers a unique and authentic experience for visitors to come and explore our rich Heritage. The 40-acre site is comprised of 18 buildings that are either replicas or originals, including the original 1910 Haney House. There are over 30 exhibits, which tell the Read more...

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