Bringing History to Life for 50 Years
Birthday Celebrations at the Vancouver Maritime Museum
August 8 and 9, 2009
Celebrating 50 Years
In 2009, the Vancouver Maritime Museum celebrates 50 years of bringing maritime history to life. Birthday celebrations will feature a Maritime Festival planned for the weekend of Saturday, August 8 and Sunday, August 9.
Officially opened in June 1959, the Vancouver Maritime Museum was built along side the drydock and A-frame that houses Canada’s famous Royal Canadian Mounted Police Arctic Schooner St Roch. The restored St Roch is the centerpiece of the Maritime Museum which interprets the story of Canada’s great Pacific port and its links with the Pacific Rim. The Vancouver Maritime Museum is one of the major maritime museums on the west coast of North America and is Metro Vancouver's link to maritime history, art, culture and technology, relating the past to the present and looking to the future through programs and exhibitions.
Since 1959, the Vancouver Maritime Museum has welcomed more than 2.5 million visitors, both residents and tourists from around the world. More than one million school children have participated in the Museum’s school programs. The Vancouver Maritime Museum is truly a magical place that inspires all and the community it serves.
The Maritime Museum protects the irreplaceable for future generations and preserves the thousands of artifacts entrusted to its care. The Maritime Museum strives to preserve the stories that link the artifacts to real people and their experiences.
50th Maritime Festival Events
On Saturday, August 8 and Sunday, August 9, we hope you will join us to celebrate the Vancouver Maritime Museum’s 50th year. It will be a spectacular weekend of maritime festivities with entertainment and activities for everyone to enjoy.
Heritage Harbour will be brimming with heritage vessels and the Museum will feature as many activities as it is possible to schedule into the two days. Saturday starts off with a pancake breakfast from 10 to 11.30 am and the day will feature children’s maritime activities such as face painting, balloon creations, crafts and storytelling. There will be music galore – two very special performances by Bobs & Lolo as well as the Caitlan Read Duo, fiddler Tyler Carson, and Celtic maritimer Mark Downey. Saturday will also feature many displays that will include the Vancouver Fire Boat, Port Metro Vancouver and maritime artist Dave Alavoine. There will be birthday cake and food services will be available on site during the day.
Activities for Sunday, August 9 will include boats in Heritage Harbour, maritime crafts for the family, performances by Mike Battie, juggler, jester and comedian and many more maritime themed activities.
On both days, the Museum will offer interpretive tours of the climate change exhibit and submersible Ben Franklin will be open for viewing.
The Maritime Museum is pleased to offer special weekend admission rates for everyone - $1.95 for kids, adults, seniors. This great price is as close to 1959 as we could get. Admission includes all activities, entertainment and birthday cake. The Museum is pleased to offer free admission for those born in 1959.
Feature Exhibits
The Maritime Museum also features a new exhibit in the J Torben Karlshoej Gallery – People, Place and Stories: Celebrating 50 Years with the Vancouver Maritime Museum. This photo essay looks at the Museum’s history from 1959 to present and reveals the importance of the community’s contribution to the Museum and also how the Vancouver Maritime Museum has evolved during this time and continues to tell the stories of this region’s maritime heritage.
The Vancouver Maritime Museum is located at 1905 Ogden Avenue in Vanier Park, Vancouver. On August 8 and August 9, the Museum will be open 10 am to 5 pm.
For more information, please contact:
Debbie Tardiff, Marketing
250 738 0188 (home office)
info@vancouvermaritimemuseum.com
Wesley Wenhardt, Executive Director
604 257-8301
director@vancouvermaritimemuseum.com
Vancouver Maritime Museum
1905 Ogden Avenue in Vanier Park
Vancouver, BC V6J 1A3
www.vancouvermaritimemuseum.com
Visitor information: 604 257-8300
Schedule of Event
Latest Entertainment and News Release
People, Place and Stories: Celebrating 50 Years with the Vancouver Maritime Museum
The Maritime Museum is featuring a new exhibit in the J Torben Karlshoej Gallery – People, Place and Stories: Celebrating 50 Years with the Vancouver Maritime Museum.
This photo essay looks at the Museum’s history from 1959 to present and reveals the importance of the community’s contribution to the Museum and also how the Vancouver Maritime Museum has evolved during this time and continues to tell the stories of this region’s maritime heritage.
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