The Maritime Museum of BC

Salty Sundays: Mending Circle
2025-01-19 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-02-23 14:00 - 16:00 (America/Vancouver)
Darn it! Mend it! Wear it! Alter it! Love it! Use it forever!

Drop into a special Salty Sunday program with your latest mending project. Learn how to mend your clothes to prevent textile waste and build a sustainable wardrobe, and connect with other menders in a laid-back community circle.

No experience necessary—consult and learn new stitches from a knowledgeable facilitator, and work on your project amongst supportive new friends. Bring your favourite materials and tools; basic tools like needles and thread will also be available to use if you’re just beginning your mending journey.

Museum Tots - Explorers
2025-01-25 10:30 - 11:15
This weekly program introduces children ages 3 – 5 to the fun world of museum learning. Each week’s program revolves around a new theme, encouraging children to learn through crafts, play, song, and dance. There is a new maritime theme every week.

No registration required–drop-ins welcome!

For more information, please call us at 250-385-4222 or email us at programs@mmbc.bc.ca.

Please note that parents are required to stay for the duration of the program.

Sensory-Friendly Hours
2025-01-26 09:30 - 12:00, 2025-02-02 09:30 - 12:00, 2025-02-09 09:30 - 12:00, 2025-02-16 09:30 - 12:00, 2025-02-23 09:30 - 12:00, 2025-03-02 09:30 - 12:00, 2025-03-09 09:30 - 12:00 | The Maritime Museum of BC, 744 Douglas Street, Victoria, British Columbia, V8W3M6, Canada
Explore the Maritime Museum of BC during our weekly Sensory-Friendly hours, designed for visitors who prefer a quiet and subdued environment. Enjoy low-volume surroundings, dimmed lighting, and a scent-free atmosphere. These dedicated hours provide an inclusive experience for all, ensuring everyone can engage with our exhibits comfortably and peacefully.

Sensory kits are available to borrow during your visit from the front desk during all opening hours.

Salty Sundays: Rope Keychains
2025-01-26 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-03-09 14:00 - 16:00 | The Maritime Museum of BC, 744 Douglas Street, Victoria, British Columbia, V8W3M6, Canada
This program invites participants to explore the art of knot making, inspired by sailors who crafted intricate designs during their leisure time at sea. In this hands-on workshop, attendees will learn essential macrame techniques to create their own unique keychains while discovering the rich maritime history being this creative pastime. By the end, participants will not only have a stylish accessory but also a deeper appreciation for the craft’s nautical roots.

This program is drop-in anytime between 2:00pm to 4:00pm, and it should take you between 15-30 minutes to finish your keychain. You are always welcome to stay longer!

This program is recommended for ages 10+.

Behind-the-Scenes Collections Tours: Arctic Navigation
2025-01-31 13:00 - 14:30 | Seymour Facility, 4000 Seymour Place, Victoria, BC, Canada
About this experience

Have you ever wondered what’s behind those Staff Only doors at your favourite museums? Now’s your chance to find out. Join us at the Maritime Museum of BC for a look behind the scenes.

This month’s guide is Bill Noon with a look at The MMBC’s collection of navigation artefacts.

About Your Guide:

Bill Noon spent 38 years in the Canadian Coast Guard, which was a career with many significant highlights, including the salvage of the cruise ship “Clipper Adventurer” in the Canadian Arctic, and as Master of CCGS Sir Wilfrid Laurier in the searches and subsequent discovery of the Franklin expedition ships Erebus and Terror).

Bill presently chairs the Victoria Classic Boat festival after 35 years of involvement with the festival. He is a long-standing member and past skipper of the Thermopylae Club of Victoria, named after the famous China clipper.

He is a 40-year member of the MMBC, having served previously six years on the board of trustees and is one of the MMBC Beaver Medal recipients for his contribution to maritime heritage on the BC Coast.

Bill is currently working on an ongoing 20-year project of restoring and cruising aboard the 75-year-old mission boat Messenger III.

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Participants should meet in the lobby of 4000 Seymour Place at 1 pm on Friday, Jan. 31st. The tour will take place from 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm.

Tours are limited to six participants and must be booked at least 24 hours in advance.

Register Here

Museum Tots - Life in the Harbour
2025-02-01 10:30 - 11:15

Fabric Printmaking Workshop
2025-02-01 14:00 - 15:30, 2025-03-01 13:30 - 15:30 | The Maritime Museum of BC, 744 Douglas Street, Victoria, British Columbia, V8W3M6, Canada
Join us for an ocean-inspired fabric printmaking workshop at the Maritime Museum of BC, where you will carve your own linocut stamp and apply it to fabric! This hands-on session invites participants to explore the history and beauty of our rich maritime heritage through creative block printing techniques. Bring your imagination and leave with a practical item for your home or to wear that celebrates the ocean!

All participants will bring home:

4×6” Linoleum block carved with a design of their creation

A cotton tea towel, printed with their design

Participants are also welcome to bring additional fabric materials to print on if desired. Maybe you have an old pair of jeans that need some sprucing up, or a stained t-shirt that could be printed over? Feel free to bring those in to print on as well. Please note:

Lighter-coloured fabrics will show your design better.

If you decide to purchase something new for the workshop, please wash and dry it before the workshop.

Smooth fabrics that do not possess a heavy texture or stretch are best for use with our inks. Cotton, linen, broadcloth and denim are examples of ideal fabrics for use. Nylon and canvas are not recommended.

Register Here

Snow Closure
2025-02-04 00:00 - 23:59
For the safety of staff, volunteers, and visitors, we are closed today due to inclement weather.

Closure
2025-02-06 09:30 - 13:00
The museum will be closed this morning so that all staff may participate in professional development activities.

Museum Tots - Valentine's Day
2025-02-08 10:30 - 11:15

Sea Glass Jewelry Workshop
2025-02-08 14:00 - 15:15 | The Maritime Museum of BC, 744 Douglas Street, Victoria, British Columbia, V8W3M6, Canada
Learn about the history of sea glass in this interactive workshop and design your own piece of jewelry using locally sourced sea glass.

Salty Sundays: Linocut Printmaking Workshop
2025-02-09 14:00 - 16:00 | The Maritime Museum of BC, 744 Douglas Street, Victoria, British Columbia, V8W3M6, Canada
Join us for an educational and creative drop-in program where participants can create linocut bookmark or postcard prints, while learning about Salish Sea animals and their ecosystems.

This program is drop-in anytime between 2:00pm to 4:00pm, and it should take you between 15-30 minutes to finish. You are always welcome to stay longer!

Anyone ages 10+ is welcome to carve a stamp, and younger participants can make a bookmark or postcard with a pre-carved stamp!

This program is included in admission or membership, and does not require registration.

Community Day
2025-02-14 09:30 - 16:30
It’s Valentine’s Day! The Maritime Museum of BC will be open with admission by donation all day long.

See the Pacific in Peril: Climate Change, the Warming Ocean, and How to Turn the Tide exhibit, complete an Activity Book for pirate’s treasure, and check out interactive anchor and knotmaking stations!

Love Across the Waves: A Valentine’s Day Drop-In
2025-02-14 10:30 - 15:30 | The Maritime Museum of BC, 744 Douglas Street, Victoria, British Columbia, V8W3M6, Canada
This Valentine’s Day, join us at the Maritime Museum of BC for a heartwarming family-friendly event filled with creativity and maritime history! Drop in anytime from 10:30am to 3:30pm to create a unique Valentine’s Day card for your loved ones, inspired by the age-old tradition of sailors sending love letters across the sea.

Explore the art of stamping and printing as you use pre-made stamps or create your very own linocut stamps to design personalized cards. Imagine the joy of sending a heartfelt message across the ocean—just like sailors did when they wrote letters to their sweethearts back home. Take home a special card to send your love or give it to someone who means the most to you.

Come for the art, stay for the stories of love that sailed the seas, and make this Valentine’s Day one to remember for the whole family!

To spread the love, admission to the museum as well as participation in this program are by donation on February 14th 2025 as part of our monthly community days. The museum is open from 9:30am to 4:30pm.

Museum Tots - Whales on the West Coast
2025-02-15 10:30 - 11:15

Salty Sundays: Collage
2025-02-16 14:00 - 16:00 | The Maritime Museum of BC, 744 Douglas Street, Victoria, British Columbia, V8W3M6, Canada
Join us to explore collage as an artistic medium while embracing a zero-waste philosophy. Participants can discover how to create stunning collages using recycled materials and fostering a sustainable approach to artmaking. Unleash your creativity and make art that cares for the planet!

Museum Tots - Wooden Boats
2025-02-22 10:30 - 11:15

Behind-the-Scenes Collections Tours: Maritime Safety
2025-02-28 13:00 - 14:30 | Seymour Place, 4000 Seymour Place, Saanich, British Columbia, V8X 4S7, Canada
About this experience

Have you ever wondered what’s behind those Staff Only doors at your favourite museums? Now’s your chance to find out. Join us at the Maritime Museum of BC for a look behind the scenes.

This month’s guide is Clay Evans with a look at The MMBC’s collection of maritime safety artefacts.

About Your Guide:

Clay Evans is a Past Chair of the MMBC who served with the Canadian Coast Guard for over 35 years, primarily in search and rescue along the BC coast – during which time he was the Commanding Officer of the historic Bamfield Lifeboat Station for 17 years – where he organized an international maritime historical symposium to coincide with the station’s centenary in 2008.

Clay is also a maritime historian specializing in the international history of lifesaving at sea and has several publications to his credit including Rescue at Sea; An International History of Coastal Life-saving, Rescue Craft & Organizations published by the U.S. Naval Institute Press in 2003 and numerous articles in Canadian and international journals and magazines. He holds a history degree from the University of Victoria and a Masters degree in Maritime Law from the University of Wales, Cardiff.

Clay continues to work in the commercial marine sector both with the Pacific Pilotage Authority and as a professional consultant while continuing to support the preservation of our collective maritime heritage.

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NOTE: This tour is now SOLD OUT. If you would like to join our waiting list, please email info@mmbc.bc.ca with the names of those you wish to add to the list and your phone number.

Museum Tots - Jellyfish
2025-03-01 10:30 - 11:15

Salty Sundays: Paper Weaving Cards
2025-03-02 14:00 - 16:00 | The Maritime Museum of BC, 744 Douglas Street, Victoria, British Columbia, V8W3M6, Canada
Learn how to create woven designs using paper, inspired by the historical techniques used in sailmaking. Participants will learn about patterns and materials, gaining skills that connect art with the practical aspects of making sails. Participants will leave with a beautiful woven card to send to someone they love!

This program is drop-in anytime between 2:00pm to 4:00pm, and it should take you between 15-30 minutes to finish your card. You are always welcome to stay longer!

This program is recommended for ages 8+. No experience necessary!

Participation is included in admission or membership, with no extra cost.

Museum Tots - Microscopic
2025-03-08 10:30 - 11:15
