Collections and Research
The Maritime Museum of BC has a rich and diverse collection. Since the Maritime Museum of BC started in 1955, it has collected objects, archives, library books, and boats all with significant meaning to the maritime history and culture in BC. The collections are the cornerstone of the Maritime Museum of BC and are being preserved for generations to come.
Left: A ship model from the Maritime Museum of BC’s collections.
Collections
There are three main parts to the Maritime Museum of BC’s collections: artefacts, archives, and library books. The collections contain:
• 35,000 objects
• 500 pieces of artwork
• 550 flags
• Ship models of BC vessels
• 8,500 books
• 35,000 ships’ plans
• 40,000 historic photographs
The Maritime Museum of BC also has three historic sailing vessels in the collection called Tillikum, Dorothy, and Trekka.
Above: Navy Lists from the Maritime Museum of BC’s library.
Research the Collection
Our collection catalogues are available online. We are adding more to these public catalogues every day.
If you do not find what you are looking for in these catalogues or have any questions, please reach out to info@mmbc.bc.ca for further assistance.
Donate to the Collection
Thank you for considering a donation to the Maritime Museum of BC’s collection! As a non-profit and registered charity, the Maritime Museum of BC does not have a budget for collecting items. Almost all of the items in the collections have been donated by generous people like yourself.
The Maritime Museum of BC has a Collections Committee that reviews all donation offers to the collections. Read more about how to donate to the collection and learn what the Collections Committee considers when reviewing donation offers.