The Maritime Museum of BC

Sensory-Friendly Hours
2025-05-25 09:30 - 12:00, 2025-05-18 09:30 - 12:00, 2025-05-11 09:30 - 12:00, 2025-05-04 09:30 - 12:00, 2025-04-27 09:30 - 12:00, 2025-04-20 09:30 - 12:00, 2025-04-13 09:30 - 12:00, 2025-04-06 09:30 - 12:00 (America/Vancouver) | 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.

Museum Tots - Go For Gold! (Rushes)
2025-05-24 10:30 - 11:15 | The Maritime Museum of BC, 744 Douglas Street, Victoria, British Columbia, V8W3M6, Canada
This drop-in weekly program introduces children ages 3–5 to the exciting world of museum learning! Each session features a new theme, engaging little learners through crafts, play, songs, and movement.

No registration required.

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.

Salty Sundays: Rope Keychains
2025-05-18 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-04-13 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+.

Sea Glass Jewelry Workshop
2025-05-17 14:00 - 15:15, 2025-04-19 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.

Museum Tots - Deep Sea Discoveries
2025-05-17 10:30 - 11:15 | The Maritime Museum of BC, 744 Douglas Street, Victoria, British Columbia, V8W3M6, Canada

Community Day
2025-05-16 09:30 - 16:30
Start your long weekend off on the right foot by joining us at the Maritime Museum of BC for a drop-in craft – Collage Buttons! Take inspiration from the maritime scenes of John Horton’s artworks displayed in the gallery, collage a design from recycled materials, and turn it into a wearable button! You’ll make a new piece of hardware to show of your creativity and passions, along with your love of the ocean.

Materials will be provided, but if you have personal materials such as small photos, letters, or other paper material that you would like to incorporate into the collages, please bring them along. Everyone will leave with one 6cm button to attach to your favourite bag, tote or coat!

As part of our monthly Community Days, admission to the museum on May 16th , as well as participation in this program, are by donation. Drop in anytime from 10:30am to 3:30pm to make your button. The Museum is open 9:30am to 4:30pm.

Salty Sundays: Paper Weaving Cards
2025-05-11 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-04-06 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.

Fabric Printmaking Workshop
2025-05-10 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

Museum Tots - Sharks
2025-05-10 10:30 - 11:15 | The Maritime Museum of BC, 744 Douglas Street, Victoria, British Columbia, V8W3M6, Canada

Salty Sundays: Artefact Interpretation
2025-05-04 14:00 - 16:00 | The Maritime Museum of BC, 744 Douglas Street, Victoria, British Columbia, V8W3M6, Canada
Do you know what a lead line is? Have you ever tried using a fid? What about a 1930s compass? Join us at the Maritime Museum to see, touch and learn about all of these interesting artefacts from our collection and more! Free with admission – drop in and start learning!

No Museum Tots
2025-05-03 00:00 - 23:59, 2025-04-26 00:00 - 23:59 | The Maritime Museum of BC, 744 Douglas Street, Victoria, British Columbia, V8W3M6, Canada
No Museum Tots this week. The Museum Tots program will return May 10th.

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

Salty Sundays: Linocut Printmaking Workshop
2025-04-27 14:00 - 16:00 | The Maritime Museum of BC, 744 Douglas Street, Victoria, British Columbia, V8W3M6, Canada
An educational and creative drop-in workshop that teaches participants how to create linocut bookmark/postcard prints, while learning about Salish Sea animals and the environmental risk factors that threaten their lives and ecosystems. No experience is necessary. Drop in and start creating!

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

No Museum Tots
2025-04-26 00:00 - 23:59 | The Maritime Museum of BC, 744 Douglas Street, Victoria, British Columbia, V8W3M6, Canada
No Museum Tots this week.

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

Behind-the-Scenes Collections Tours: Canadian Pacific Railway
2025-04-25 13:00 - 14:30 | Seymour Place, 4000 Seymour Place, Saanich, British Columbia, V8X 4S7, Canada
About this experience

Ever wondered what lies beyond the Staff Only doors at your favorite museums? Now’s your chance to take a peek! Join us at the Maritime Museum of BC for an exclusive behind-the-scenes look for our LAST collection tour of the season!

This month’s guide is Murray Armstrong with a look at the MMBC’s collection of artefacts relating to the Canadian Pacific Railway.

About Your Guide:

Murray was born and educated in Victoria, BC. His great-grandfather, Frederick Jeune, a sailor and sail maker, arrived in Victoria from Jersey in the 1880s and founded Jeune Brothers, a long-standing Victoria business. While a student, Murray spent a summer crewing on the Canadian Coast Guard vessel Alexander MacKenzie before transferring to Vancouver for his banking career. He later fulfilled a lifelong desire to work in the airline industry, which eventually transitioned to the computer side, where he worked for nearly 25 years.In 2001, Murray moved into academia, working in administration at UBC for 10 years before retiring in 2013. He has always been passionate about transportation systems—air, rail, and marine—and the performing arts. A lifelong lover of music, he has sung with choirs and performed on stage as a singing actor. He is also a long-standing member of the Titanic Historical Society, a student of the Lusitania disaster, and an amateur BC Coast historian, focusing on the CPR’s BC Coast Steamship Service.In theatre, Murray has been involved in community organizations in Greater Vancouver, both administratively and as a performer. He also worked part-time as an usher for the Arts Club Theatre Company for 13 years and continues locally with the Royal and McPherson Theatres Society.Since retirement, Murray has volunteered with Thrifty Foods’ Sendial program, Craigdarroch Castle, and, since 2021, as an Interpreter and Front Desk attendant at the MMBC. He has recorded several Maritime Minutes talks and met HRH Princess Anne during her visit to our collections.

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Participants should meet in the lobby of 4000 Seymour Place at 1 pm on Friday, April 25th. 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

Classic Boat Festival Boater Registration Opens Today (April 22)
2025-04-22 12:00 - 12:30
Mark your calendars–registration for boaters to the Classic Boat Festival opens today at noon! The registration link will go live at that time and be announced on our website and social media.

Closure: Holiday
2025-04-21 09:30 - 16:30
The Maritime Museum of BC will be closed on Monday, April 21. We’ll be open on the statutory holiday, Friday, April 18 instead to celebrate our 70th birthday!

The MMBC will re-open on its normal schedule on Tuesday, April 22.

Museum Tots - Easter
2025-04-19 10:30 - 11:15 | The Maritime Museum of BC, 744 Douglas Street, Victoria, British Columbia, V8W3M6, Canada

Community Day
2025-04-18 09:30 - 16:30
Happy 70th Birthday, MMBC! On this day in 1955, the Maritime Museum of BC first opened its doors.

Join us on Friday, April 18 for a special Community Day with admission by donation all day long. Enjoy sweet treats, get crafty with pop-up programs in the gallery, and explore our newest exhibit, The Marine Art of John Horton: From Nine to Ninety, celebrating the coast through art.

Help us mark this milestone by sharing your own maritime memories! Submit your story to our 70 Maritime Memories project for a chance to be featured in our online storyboard.Learn more: https://mmbc.bc.ca/70memories/

Museum Tots - Fish-Y
2025-04-12 10:30 - 11:15 | The Maritime Museum of BC, 744 Douglas Street, Victoria, British Columbia, V8W3M6, Canada
