Vancouver may not be one of the oldest cities, but it does contain some impressive historic places worth seeing. From learning more about local culture to taking in breathtaking sights – Vancouver offers something worth seeing!
Discover Officers Row at Fort Vancouver National Historical Site or marvel at some of Canada’s oldest totem poles in Stanley Park. Richmond’s Steveston village also provides an interesting mix of historic buildings, canneries, and shipyards to visit.
Fort Vancouver National Historic Site
Fort Vancouver National Historic Site brings history alive by recreating an important fur-trading post from the region’s fur trade history – Fort Vancouver was the headquarters for Hudson’s Bay Company fur trade operations that extended from Alaska to San Francisco.
Fort Vancouver was strategically situated near the mouth of Columbia River, making it an important hub for a variety of activities and resources. Its palisade protected its grounds while an adjacent village housed employees living in single and two-room cabins inhabited by people from across North America.
The park’s visitor center provides visitors with a brief introduction to Fort De Soto while ongoing archaeological excavations reveal details about daily life here. Lively living history demonstrations bring visitors back to 1840s Blacksmith Shop, Carpenter Shop, Kitchen as well as Brigade Encampments and Candlelight Tours can be enjoyed here as well. In addition, Pearson Air Museum can be found nearby.
Clark County Historical Museum
This museum is housed within the former Amboy United Brethren Church and explores Native American and pioneer culture and heritage. Historic sites at this museum include Henry Heisen House, Cedar Creek Grist Mill and Allen House – with local photographer Charles Fitzpatrick providing photographs for display.
The Clark County Historical Museum (CCHM) maintains an impressive photo archive consisting of prints, negatives, glass slides and tintypes which is searchable online via keywords. Furthermore, their oral history archive features interviews conducted with community members which is accessible online with transcripts and audio recordings made from each session.
The museum provides various events and programs throughout the year, such as reenactments and living history demonstrations, as well as open access research libraries and archives that are freely accessible by members of the public. Furthermore, guided architectural walking tours through downtown Vancouver led by trained volunteer guides cover approximately one mile and can take place rain or shine.
Burnaby Village
Burnaby Village is a popular family attraction that will transport you back to the 1920s. This open-air museum recreates a replica tram stop community, complete with shops such as a general store, one-room schoolhouse, ice cream parlor and blacksmith shop. Costumed townsfolk offer demonstrations before you ride their historic carousel!
The museum provides a great place to learn about the pioneer families who settled Burnaby and British Columbia from European origins, along with how they used early technologies for survival.
There are 39 buildings to explore at this village, such as Wagner’s Blacksmith Shop and a 1922 Bachelor’s House. You’ll also find the Vorce Tram Station from Burnaby Lake interurban line as well as its renovated Interurban 1223 tram barn from 1911, Wayfarer Chapel and 1912 Carousel (with admission free but rides cost a small fee), 1912 Carousel (carousel rides cost additional) as well as seasonal programming during February Family Day holiday Monday as well as summer-based programs at this village.
Salmon Harbour Museum
Salmon are an integral part of our culture and there are plenty of opportunities in Vancouver to learn about them. Check out the Pacific Salmon Foundation’s Salmon Spotting map and plan a visit during salmon spawning season or join a community stewardship activity like shoreline cleanups or forage fish sampling!
Nanaimo offers several museums dedicated to coastal history, forestry, coal mining and transport – the Museum of Nanaimo offers exhibits about all three. At the Maritime Museum of British Columbia there’s also an impressive collection of heritage vessels like a replica of Snuneymuxw long house – as well as an interactive experience where children can build model boats using LEGO bricks!
Visit Port Hardy and visit the Quatse Salmon Stewardship Centre to gain a better understanding of salmon in northern Vancouver Island. Parks Canada also provides useful information regarding BC’s various salmon runs through an interactive map that visualizes all parks within BC with current closures or restrictions, so make sure to visit!
