Maritime Museum of British Columbia
Encyclopedia
The Maritime Museum of BC reflects the Pacific maritime history and culture of Canada's west coast, with an exhibits and public program mandate for research, education, and partnership.
and was formally opened in June 1965. The Maritime Museum of British Columbia Foundation was established in 1981 to develop long-term support for the Society.
, Canadian Pacific, B.C. Ferries, the Royal Navy
and Canadian Forces Maritime Command
. Of the three vessels in the museum's collection, one is displayed on the main floor. The Tilikum
, a modified 30-foot cedar-log canoe, was sailed from Vancouver Island across the Pacific, reaching London, England, by 1904. Shipped back to its home port years later, it was restored and donated by members of the Thermopylae Club.The extensive collection of ship models includes one of HMY Britannia
and another of the Hudson's Bay Company's 17th-century trading ship Nonsuch
. Archival holdings include corporate and private records, artworks, nautical charts, logbooks, ship plans for more than 900 vessels and approximately 36,000 photographs. The research library and archives are accessible only by appointment.
. The province's first Supreme Court on the third floor, which also functioned as Vice-Admiralty Courtroom and after restoration is still rented as a supplemental court venue, was once presided over by Sir Matthew Baillie Begbie
, Chief Justice of the Colony of British Columbia
. The museum's ornate elevator was installed in 1899 during architect Rattenbury's changes to the interior. Mentioned as the oldest operating birdcage elevator in North America, it is on a list of top ten elevator rides worldwide.
The building is a National Historic Site of Canada.
, the Virtual Museum of Canada
and Canadian Heritage Information Network
.
History
Formed in 1953 by naval officers at Signal Hill in Esquimalt, B.C., the Maritime Museum of British Columbia Society was registered in 1957 as a non-profit society with a broadened mandate. The MMBC moved in 1963-64 to Bastion Square, Victoria, British ColumbiaVictoria, British Columbia
Victoria is the capital city of British Columbia, Canada and is located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island off Canada's Pacific coast. The city has a population of about 78,000 within the metropolitan area of Greater Victoria, which has a population of 360,063, the 15th most populous Canadian...
and was formally opened in June 1965. The Maritime Museum of British Columbia Foundation was established in 1981 to develop long-term support for the Society.
Collection and exhibits
Three floors of exhibits cover Pacific exploration, the shipbuilding industry and coastal commerce and history, including the related roles of the Hudson's Bay CompanyHudson's Bay Company
The Hudson's Bay Company , abbreviated HBC, or "The Bay" is the oldest commercial corporation in North America and one of the oldest in the world. A fur trading business for much of its existence, today Hudson's Bay Company owns and operates retail stores throughout Canada...
, Canadian Pacific, B.C. Ferries, the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
and Canadian Forces Maritime Command
Canadian Forces Maritime Command
The Royal Canadian Navy , is the naval force of Canada. The RCN is one of three environmental commands within the unified Canadian Forces. Operating 33 warships and several auxiliary vessels, the Royal Canadian Navy consists of 8,500 Regular Force and 5,100 Primary Reserve sailors, supported by...
. Of the three vessels in the museum's collection, one is displayed on the main floor. The Tilikum
Tilikum (boat)
The Tilikum was a dugout canoe that was used in an effort to circumnavigate the globe starting in 1901. The boat was a "Nootkan" canoe which was already old when it was obtained by captain John Voss in April 1901. The boat was built in the early 19th century as a dugout canoe made from a large...
, a modified 30-foot cedar-log canoe, was sailed from Vancouver Island across the Pacific, reaching London, England, by 1904. Shipped back to its home port years later, it was restored and donated by members of the Thermopylae Club.The extensive collection of ship models includes one of HMY Britannia
HMY Britannia
Her Majesty's Yacht Britannia is the former Royal Yacht of the British monarch, Queen Elizabeth II. She was the 83rd such vessel since the restoration of King Charles II in 1660. She is the second Royal yacht to bear the name, the first being the famous racing cutter built for The Prince of Wales...
and another of the Hudson's Bay Company's 17th-century trading ship Nonsuch
Nonsuch (ship)
The Nonsuch was the ketch that sailed into Hudson Bay in 1668-1669 under Zachariah Gillam, in the first trading voyage for what was to become the Hudson's Bay Company two years later. Originally built as a merchant ship in 1650, and later the Royal Navy ketch HMS Nonsuch, the vessel was sold to Sir...
. Archival holdings include corporate and private records, artworks, nautical charts, logbooks, ship plans for more than 900 vessels and approximately 36,000 photographs. The research library and archives are accessible only by appointment.
Heritage structure
The museum is housed in the 1889 provincial law courts building near the Inner Harbour that was designed by architect H.O. Tiedemann and later structurally modified by Francis RattenburyFrancis Rattenbury
Francis Mawson Rattenbury was an architect born in England, although most of his career was spent in British Columbia, Canada where he designed many notable buildings. Divorced amid scandal, he was murdered in England at the age of 68 by his second wife's lover.- Architectural career :Rattenbury...
. The province's first Supreme Court on the third floor, which also functioned as Vice-Admiralty Courtroom and after restoration is still rented as a supplemental court venue, was once presided over by Sir Matthew Baillie Begbie
Matthew Baillie Begbie
Sir Matthew Baillie Begbie was born on the island of Mauritius, thereafter raised and educated in the United Kingdom...
, Chief Justice of the Colony of British Columbia
Colony of British Columbia
The Colony of British Columbia was a crown colony in British North America from 1858 until 1866. At its creation, it physically constituted approximately half the present day Canadian province of British Columbia, since it did not include the Colony of Vancouver Island, the vast and still largely...
. The museum's ornate elevator was installed in 1899 during architect Rattenbury's changes to the interior. Mentioned as the oldest operating birdcage elevator in North America, it is on a list of top ten elevator rides worldwide.
The building is a National Historic Site of Canada.
Affiliations
The Maritime Museum of BC is affiliated with the B.C. Museums Association, the Canadian Museums AssociationCanadian Museums Association
The Canadian Museums Association is a national organization for the promotion of museums in Canada.The Canadian Museums Association is the national organization for the advancement of the Canadian museum sector, representing Canadian museum professionals both within Canada and internationally. The...
, the Virtual Museum of Canada
Virtual Museum of Canada
The Virtual Museum of Canada is Canada's national virtual museum. With a directory of over 3,000 Canadian heritage institutions and a database of over 600 virtual exhibits, the VMC brings together Canada's museums regardless of size or geographical location.The VMC includes virtual exhibits,...
and Canadian Heritage Information Network
Canadian Heritage Information Network
The Canadian Heritage Information Network is a Canadian government-supported organization that provides a networked interface to Canada's heritage, largely through the World Wide Web. It aims to give access to Canada's heritage for both Canadians and a worldwide audience, by supporting the...
.
See also
- Vancouver Maritime MuseumVancouver Maritime MuseumThe Vancouver Maritime Museum is a Maritime museum devoted to presenting the maritime history of Vancouver, British Columbia, and the Canadian Arctic. Opened in 1959 as a Vancouver centennial project, it is located within Vanier Park just west of False Creek on the Vancouver waterfront. The main...
, Vancouver, British Columbia - CFB Esquimalt Naval & Military Museum website, Esquimalt, British Columbia