The Maritime Museum of BC

Community Day - Swimming into the New Year!
2026-01-24 09:30 - 16:30 (America/Vancouver) | The Maritime Museum of BC, 744 Douglas Street, Victoria, British Columbia, V8W3M6, Canada
It’s a new year, new community day! Start the new year with curiosity, creativity, and community spirit. On this special day, admission is by donation all day, giving everyone the chance to explore our exhibit 1858: Black Routes, Black Roots and enjoy a relaxed day at the museum.

From 1:30–4:00 PM, drop in for a hands-on craft session where we’ll be making beaded fish inspired by our coastal waters. It’s a fun, family-friendly activity perfect for all ages, whether you’re a seasoned crafter or looking to try something new!

Come spend the afternoon with us and help support the museum in a way that works for you. We can’t wait to welcome you!

Community Day - Drawn Together
2026-02-13 09:30 - 16:30 | The Maritime Museum of BC, 744 Douglas Street, Victoria, British Columbia, V8W3M6, Canada
This Valentine’s and Family Day weekend, join us at the Maritime Museum of BC for a welcoming and heartwarming Community Day centered on love, family, and legacy!

Drop in anytime from 1:00PM-4:00PM and take part in a creative ink watercolour activity, inviting you to reflect on family members, ancestors, or chosen family who have shaped your story. Inspired by the holidays and themes from our current ‘1858: Black Routes, Black Roots’ exhibit, create a meaningful ink portrait to take home or give to your Valentine, one that celebrates our loved ones and the stories that connect us. Come create, reflect, and celebrate the ties that draw us together as a community!

Exhibit Deep Dive – 1858: Black Routes, Black Roots
2026-02-21 14:00 - 16:00 | The Maritime Museum of BC, 744 Douglas Street, Victoria, British Columbia, V8W3M6, Canada
Dive deeper into the current exhibit at the Maritime Museum of BC – 1858: Black Routes, Black Routes, which explores early Black immigration to BC. Hear from writer/researcher Madison Bridal about her experience learning and sharing about the “Pioneer Committee” and their journey to Canada on the Commodore. Then, hear from Barbra Hudlin, a descendent of these early Black immigrants and her family’s history on Vancouver Island.

About the Speakers

Madison Bridal

Madison has worked in numerous museums, on several exhibits, and previously co-led the BCMA’s IBPOC Network. Madison is recently known for her curatorship of Rooting for Reclamation at Legacy Art Galleries, and as the writer/researcher for 1858: Black Routes, Black Roots here at the Maritime Museum of BC.

Barbra Hudlin

Barbra is a black Canadian living in Victoria, BC and a direct descendent of the first Black settlers to Victoria. She is a speaker and educator deeply involved in the Black communities on Vancouver Island. She is also the founder and president of the Doug Hudlin charitable Society which is the life and legacy of the Black gentlemen empire Doug Hudlin, a board member with the BC Black History Awareness Society, and serves in the advisory of the City Of Victoria‘s international decade of people of African dissent committee.

Cost: Free with museum admission. We ask that you register in advance, but drop-ins are also welcome.

Register Here

Community Day - Seas the Break!
2026-03-26 09:30 - 16:30, 2026-03-27 09:30 - 16:30, 2026-03-28 09:30 - 16:30 | The Maritime Museum of BC, 744 Douglas Street, Victoria, British Columbia, V8W3M6, Canada
This Spring Break, join us at the Maritime Museum of BC for three welcoming and creative Community Days, running March 26–28, centred on art, family, and hands-on fun!

Drop in and explore our exhibit ‘1858: Black Routes, Black Roots’, and participate in our craft activities designed to spark creativity for all ages!

On Thursday, March 26th you’ll find crafts, games, and books to enjoy in our gallery! Then on Friday, March 27 from 1:00–4:00 PM, make your own lino-cut stamps, carving your own spring designs to take home! Wrap up the fun with us on Saturday from 1:00–4:00PM and create colourful beaded fish, a playful craft inspired by our love for the ocean!

Come craft, create, and celebrate Spring Break with activities that bring the community together! Fun for kids, families, and everyone who loves to get a little hands-on!

Living History: Meet Mifflin Gibbs
2026-04-25 11:00 - 15:00 | The Maritime Museum of BC, 744 Douglas Street, Victoria, British Columbia, V8W3M6, Canada
April 25th is your final opportunity to experience 1858: Black Routes, Black Roots exhibit at the Maritime Museum of BC. To bid farewell to this impactful display in style, we’re welcoming an esteemed guest all the way from 1866!

In partnership with Story Theatre and BC Black History Awareness Society, we invite you to step back in time and meet Mifflin Wistar Gibbs, the first Black person to hold elected office in British Columbia.

Through the art of historical interpretation, this “Living History” performance brings the 19th century to life. Mr. Gibbs, who served as a Victoria City Councillor for James Bay, returns to answer questions from his “constituents” and share his pivotal role in shaping Canada.

Co-created by Director Adonis Critter King and Producer Monica Ogden, this program bridges the gap between the past and the contemporary, offering audiences of all ages a chance to learn from our history to build better futures.

Join us for this special closing event:

When: April 25, 2026, 11:00am – 3:00pm with break from 11:45am-12:45pm

Admission to the museum this day will be “Pay what you can!”

Pay-What-You-Can Fridays
2026-05-01 00:00 - 23:59, 2026-05-08 00:00 - 23:59, 2026-05-15 00:00 - 23:59, 2026-05-22 00:00 - 23:59, 2026-05-29 00:00 - 23:59, 2026-06-05 00:00 - 23:59, 2026-06-12 00:00 - 23:59, 2026-06-19 00:00 - 23:59 and 13 more dates
We believe that our maritime heritage should be available to everyone. To ensure our galleries are as inclusive as possible, we have introduced Pay-What-You-Can Fridays.

Every Friday, we invite you to visit the museum and choose an admission price that works for you. This initiative is designed to ensure that everyone in our community can engage with our nautical stories, regardless of financial barriers.

“Sea” you soon!

Event: Book Presentation with Michael Layland
2026-06-05 14:30 - 15:30 | The Maritime Museum of BC, 744 Douglas Street, Victoria, British Columbia, V8W3M6, Canada
Turmoil: The Life & Times of Philip Hankin is the latest work by award-winning author Michael Layland. Layland will give a talk on the many ships of Philip Hankin sailed on during his time on Vancouver Island, followed by a Q & A.

This event is FREE with museum admission, no registration required. Signed copies of Turmoil will be available for purchase.

About the book:

Hankin’s remarkable life brought abuse, hardship, and controversy, adventure, opportunity, and reward. It earned him a place in BC history as acting head of governments at a tumultuous time, and for recording parts of a 19th century Huu-ay-aht language. This list of common phrases and drawings lay misfiled in a British archive for more than a century until the author unearthed it during his research.

About the Author:

Born and educated in England, Michael Layland trained as an officer and mapmaker in the Royal Engineers of the British Army.

His extensive research of the cartographic and exploration history of Vancouver Island fuelled his first two books: The Land of Heart’s Delight: Early Maps and Charts of Vancouver Island, & A Perfect Eden: Encounters by Early Explorers of Vancouver Island . In the third, In Nature’s Realm, he combined his love of exploration history with a deep, life-long interest in the natural world.

Afternoon Tea (for SV Dorothy)
2026-06-18 15:00 - 17:00 | Royal Victoria Yacht Club, 3475 Ripon Drive, Victoria, BC, V8R 6H1, Canada
Celebrate the start of SV Dorothy‘s summer season with an Afternoon Tea at the Royal Victoria Yacht Club on June 18 from 3 –5 PM.

Hear tales of Dorothy’s historical and contemporary adventures in the Salish Sea, enjoy tea and classic nibbles, and support the continuing maintenance, restoration, and operation of the oldest Canadian sailboat still sailing.

Purchase single tickets for $27 each, or make it a Langley party and claim a table of 8 for $200.

Dress in your yachting best or take us back to 1897 with your outfit!

Please note that Dorothy begins her summer tour from Ladysmith in June, and will not be onsite for this event. See her at RVYC during the National Youth Championships at the end of August or at the Victoria Classic Boat Festival September 4-6!
