Vancouver Maritime Museum

1905 Ogden Avenue in Vanier Park
Vancouver, BC V6J 1A3  |  Phone 604 257-8300  |  Fax 604 737-2621
www.vancouvermaritimemuseum.com |  info@vancouvermaritimemuseum.com

Open Tuesday - Saturday 10 am to 5 pm

Sunday noon to 5 pm

Closed Mondays in the winter

Featured Exhibits

We Stand on Guard for Thee: Canadian Naval Centennial

A new exhibit at the Museum recognizes and honours the Royal Canadian Navy’s centennial in 2010. The exhibit draws on the personal collection of war artist, John Horton. The exhibit also includes pieces from the Everett Family Maritime Art Collection including large oils by British artist L. Wilcox and group of seven painter, Arthur Lismer. The exhibit is supplemented with some rare vintage artifacts including the rare and unusual Mark IX torpedo. This WWII piece of technology weighs in at half ton and measures over 25 feet long and was the weapon that defined the battle at sea, responsible for over 70% of the ship losses during WWII. It was also the weapon that defined Canada's role in the war, namely the Battle of the Atlantic. Among the numerous ship models on display will be a large scale replica of a German U-boat 203.

Ebb Flow and Tide: Opened September 23

Ebb Flow and Tide is the chosen theme for the Canadian Artists Society art exhibit in the Museum’s J Torben Karlshoej Gallery until mid November.

With Vancouver’s location on the west coast of North America and with so much water, most BC artists are known for their west coast themes. One is never too far away from lakes, rivers and the ocean whether you live in Metro Vancouver. Aside from the hustle and bustle of city life, the sound of lapping water against the pilings of a pier, the coming and going of ships and ferries in the harbour and the sights and sounds of tugboats gliding along the Fraser River, all become part of Vancouver living.

October Activities

Age of Sail, 1450-1850: October 7 - 9

The Omohundro Institute of Early American History and Culture and the University of British Columbia will convene a conference from October 7 to October 9 at the University of British Columbia. The Age of Sail will bring together scholarship on the history of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans across the early modern period’s cultural, social, economic, political, and environmental dimensions. The conference is open to anyone who wishes to attend. More information is available at http://oieahc.wm.edu/conferences/AgeSail/index.html

La Pérouse: From Alaska to California in the Search for the Northwest Passage: Wednesday, October 13 - 7:30 pm

Please join the World Ship Society on Wednesday, October 13 at 7.30 pm for a presentation by Jérôme Gervais entitled La Pérouse: From Alaska to California in the search for the Northwest Passage. M. Gervais will be delivering a seminar on the explorations of Jean-François de Galaup, comte de La Pérouse along the coast of the Pacific Northwest in the summer of 1786.  This expedition, which vanished in the Solomon Islands two years later, was the last significant voyage of its kind launched by the Bourbon monarchy and a significant event in the history of European incursions into the Pacific.  M. Gervais's talk will focus on La Pérouse's experiences on the coast of British Columbia. The public is welcome to attend this free presentation at the Vancouver Maritime Museum.

Explore Sunday – Ben Franklin: Sunday, October 24 - noon to 4pm

Explore Sundays are opportunities to participate in a special guided visit of a unique area of the Museum not normally open to the public. This Sunday you have a chance to peek inside submersible Ben Franklin and learn about its important mission to study the Gulf Stream and its connection to manned space flight. Tours are offered from noon to 4 pm and are included with admission to the Museum.

Ancient Harbours of the Mediterranean: Wednesday, October 27  - 7:30 pm

Join Hector Williams for an illustrated talk that will visit some of the great harbours of the Greek and Roman world and show how land and underwater archaeologists are recovering their history and appearance. Sites will include Ostia (the port of Rome), Piraeus (the port of Athens), Alexandria (Egypt), Kenchreai (the eastern port of ancient Corinth) as well as smaller ports on the island of Lesbos where Hector has been working for nearly thirty years. 

The Underwater Archaeological Society of BC's Underwater Explorations Speaker Seriers is held on the last Wednesday of each month (except July, August and December) at 7:30 pm at the Vancouver Maritime Museum. Everyone is welcome, admission is by donation and seating is limited.

A Maritime Halloween: Sunday, October 31 - noon to 4pm

Bring your kids to the Maritime Museum for special pirate activities, haunted fo’c’sle, creepy crafts and ghostly activities. Admission to the Museum is free for children under ten dressed in costume; maximum two free children when accompanied by a paid adult. Watch for spooks around every nautical corner! Activities will be held from noon to 4 pm.