Article originally posted by Salish Seaside RV Haven - Tom Westley
Vancouver Island boasts a variety of museums beyond the well-known Royal BC Museum. This Island is home to a diverse array of charming towns and regions, each with its own unique history and heritage. Explore the area's smaller, lesser-known museums highlighted below:
Sidney Museum
Established in 1971, the Sidney Museum has a very important, and worthwhile, mandate of preserving and ensuring access to the history, culture, and people that have made the Saanich Peninsula their home since the start of human habitation in the region.
A journey through the museum is a journey through time, taking you through not just the human history of the area, but also the natural history that has shaped the landscape and the lives of the people who call it home. This includes an emphasis on the Indigenous peoples who were the first to settle in the area, with a constantly updating series of displays emphasizing their industry, transportation, agriculture, social history, and more.
With a permanent collection of over 8,000 artifacts, alongside archival images and documents, there is no shortage of interesting and informative sights. Alongside these permanent displays, the museum also showcases a year long rotating schedule of temporary exhibits, with recent highlights including a series on fashion trends and the Little Black Dress, as well as a Lego exhibit!
Location: 2423 Beacon Avenue, Sidney
The Maritime Museum of BC
BC is an area with a rich and storied maritime history, as well as an array of coastal sights and attractions, and the Maritime Museum of BC is a testament to this, as well as a vital resource when it comes to preserving these important aspects of BC’s culture and history.
Now housed next to the Victoria Conference Centre, the Maritime Museum explores the various ways in which people have interacted with the sea, from the Indigenous peoples all the way through to the maritime explorers and tradespeople, and even the CPR steamships that made their way through those waters.
In addition to its permanent collections, the museum also has a rotating series of temporary exhibitions. Up until November 5th, they will be running a “queer at Sea” exhibit, looking at how the 2SLGBTQ community in coastal areas have defined and developed their own relationship towards the sea.
Location: 744 Douglas Street, Victoria
Sooke Region Museum & Visitor Centre
As a community museum, the Sooke Region Museum & Visitor Centre is focused on chronicling and representing the surrounding area with an authentic portrait of the local history, culture, and heritage, covering the area stretching from Sooke to Port Renfrew.
There are exhibits throughout both the main building and the grounds of the museum itself. Housed in these exhibitions you will find galleries, presentations of the region’s history and culture through Indigenous artifacts, historical photographs, displays, and dioramas, depicting both the important occasions and landmarks, as well as the day to day lives of residents.
Location: 2070 Phillips Road, Sooke
Shawnigan Lake Museum
The Shawnigan Lake Museum may look like a small building, but what’s contained inside is an expansive and varied story of the area, encompassing Shawnigan Lake’s rich history, and helping both visitors and residents alike connect to the past.
Driven by the shared passion of the staff and volunteers, the museum is an in depth journey through historic landmarks and events in the area, such as the history of the lake itself, the Kinsol Trestle, E.J. Hughes, the E & N Last Spike, and more.
Location: 1775 Shawnigan-Mill Bay Road, Shawnigan Lake
Chemainus Valley Museum
Located within the scenic and spectacular confines of Water Wheel Park in the centre of Chemainus, the Chemainus Valley Museum offers a memorable experience that you won’t want to miss if you’re visiting the area. With an observation point that allows you to take in the site of the original and present sawmill, you will also be able to see beyond to the ships, log booms, and bustling harbour that lend the area its unique character and identity.
The museum is an important stop for anyone looking to deepen their appreciation of Chemainus’ rich heritage, including highlighting the murals throughout the town, and its place in the 19th century timber industry.
Location: 9799 Waterwheel Cres, Chemainus
Nanaimo Museum
With a convenient location in the hub of the downtown core, the Nanaimo Museum is a great option for anyone looking for an interesting and informative stop on their exploration of this wonderful area.
With several permanent exhibits focused on the history and future of Nanaimo, the museum provides a valuable insight into the culture and heritage of the local community. Exhibits include the chance to walk through a replica coal mine, insight into the lives and stories of the Snuneymuxw First Nation, and a look at the quirky origins of Nanaimo’s World Championship Bathtub Race.
The Nanaimo Museum also regularly plays host to shared exhibitions from museums from both across Canada and further afield. In keeping with its community ethos, the museum also has a community gallery space, which hosts smaller collections of art, literature, and photography, all created by members of the surrounding community.
Location: 100 Museum Way, Nanaimo
The Parksville Museum
Dedicated to sharing and chronicling the history of Parksville, Errington, Coombs, Hilliers, French Creek, and Nanoose Bay, the Parksville museum first opened in 1983 and has grown since then to include 8 heritage buildings, as well as the primary museum building, administration offices, and exhibition hall. Throughout these areas you will find a collection of artifacts and archival materials that help preserve and voice the history and heritage of the region.
Location: 1245 E. Island Highway, Parksville
Campbell River Museum
The Campbell River Museum is a vibrant exploration of the beauty, joy, and rich heritage of Indigenous culture and history, with a contemporary feel and a unique setting that helps to enhance the experience.
There is a true focus on interactivity and putting you in the moment or perspective, whether that’s finding yourself behind the wheel of an early model logging truck, stepping foot onto a floating house raft, or taking a deep dive into the early days of both recreational and commercial fishing. Cap off your visit with a tour highlight in the form of a film chronicling the destruction of Ripple Rock, and then check out the collection of carvings, jewellery, and art from local First Nations crafters and artisans.
Location: 470 Island Hwy at 5th Avenue, Campbell River
With a varied and exciting collection of art galleries and exhibitions scattered across Vancouver Island, these museums are just one of the many highlights to be seen. Stay at Salish in the heart of downtown Victoria and you’ll be well placed to explore all the Island has to offer, whether you use Salish Seaside RV Haven as a base or just a stopover. To book your place, contact Salish Seaside RV Haven today!