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!

Audain Art Museum

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The Audain Art Museum is thrilled to announce its reopening on Thursday, June 10 at 11am 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. 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...

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...

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...

Bulkley Valley Museum

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Explore the natural and human history of Smithers and the surrounding area at the Bulkley Valley Museum! Located in the historic Central Park Building, the Museum features engaging and informative temporary and permanent displays on local history and culture, including Witsuwit’en history, Driftwood Canyon fossils, the mysterious story of the first “Broken Arrow”, and the Bulkley Valley’s “gift to civilization” 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...

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...

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...

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...

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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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

North Shore Museums

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Delve into a little history at our museums and find out all about us, who we are, where we’ve come from, and where we’re going. BC Mills House MONOVA West Vancouver Art Museum 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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...