Top 10 History Museums in British Columbia, British Columbia

Due to Covid19 U'mista will be open for reduced hours and occupancy and no public washroom available at this time. U'mista Cultural Centre is one of the longest-operating and most successful First Nations cultural facilities in BC, founded in 1980 as a ground breaking project to house potlatch artifacts which had been seized by government during an earlier period of cultural repression. The return of the potlatch artifacts not only provided U'mista's name ('the return of something important'), and sparked a general trend toward repatriation of First Nations and cultural artifacts, it caused the creation of a physical facility and human resources infrastructure which have been successfully operated for over two decades.U'mista now operates a modern museum and cultural education facility in Alert Bay. Their operations include the museum, an extensive art gallery and gift shop, group tours, and presentations by dance troupes.

Through the Haida Heritage Centre at Kay Llnagaay we celebrate the living culture of the Haida. Through our language, art and stories we share our relationship with the land and sea that which shapes, nourishes and sustains us. Kay Llnagaay protects and fosters Haida culture by reaffirming our traditions and beliefs, encouraging artistic expression, and serving as a keeper of all that we are. Kay Llnagaay is a place for the Haida voice to be heard. The Haida Gwaii Museum opened in 1976 and continues to build an international reputation for showcasing Haida historical and contemporary art, All-Island artists and an outstanding collection of objects, artifacts and scientific material culture. The Museum is committed to encouraging and facilitating creative dialogue and exploring a more holistic and critical view of the multiple and diverse ways of understanding Haida Gwaii — home to one of the most prominent Northwest Coast First Nations cultures (Haida), and rich ecosystems in Canada.

Visit this 'big' museum in the small village of Shawnigan Lake - it's guaranteed to surprise you. For over thirty years, the museum has celebrated the history and the people of Shawnigan Lake (and surrounding area). Drop in for extensive information on the spectacular Kinsol Trestle; renowned Canadian artist EJ Hughes; the true Canadian Last Spike and many other significant history-bites.

Learn about the history and culture of Northwest Canada from thousands of years ago as well during the 1800's.

Nanaimo Museum: Discover Nanaimo’s fascinating history in our museum located in the VI Conference Centre. The main gallery offers a sense of what life was like for Nanaimo's earliest settlers and the Snuneymuxw First Nation. Our award winning replica coal mine is a special treat. The museum also manages the Bastion, an original Hudson's Bay Company post built in 1853. Don’t miss the gift shop! Museum Hours (Fall/Winter/Spring): 10am - 5pm Monday to Saturday Summer 2020 Hours: Open Wens-Sun 10am-4pm See our website for up-to-date COVID-19 modifications to hours and admission!

Through numerous exhibits and an extensive research library visitors can learn the history of northern Vancouver Island.

We are now open as of April 1st, 2021, following COVID-19 safety guidelines. Something of interest for every age. Kids love our Scavenger Hunt, 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 that pump water and produce light…. nearing 100 years old and still running! Thanks to our dedicated Volunteers. For the middle aged and senior visitors our artifacts bring back many memories of how folks lived. Remembering what life was like as a kid, seeing the transition from horse power to engines. The collection of artifacts by the Association has evolved from focusing on farming equipment only, to including historical artifacts depicting all aspects of pioneer life. The Museum collection has grown to over 5,600 historical artifacts of farming equipment and pioneer life in British Columbia, on display in two buildings and an outside exhibit area.

The Nikkei Internment Memorial Centre is dedicated to preserving and sharing the history of the internment of over 22,000 Japanese Canadians during the Second World War. The Nikkei Internment Memorial Centre opened its doors in 1994 as an initiative from the New Denver Kyowakai Society to commemorate and honor the stories of over 22,000 Japanese Canadians who were stripped of their civil rights, labelled "enemy aliens" and uprooted from their coastal homes during the Second World War. Located on the site of a former internment camp, the original buildings, period artifacts, interpretive displays, and Heiwa Teien garden designed by the renowned Roy (Tomomichi) Sumi, chronicle this extraordinary episode in Canadian history.