List of museums in British Columbia facts for kids
This list of museums in British Columbia, Canada contains museums which are defined for this context as institutions (including nonprofit organizations, government entities, and private businesses) that collect and care for objects of cultural, artistic, scientific, or historical interest and make their collections or related exhibits available for public viewing. Also included are non-profit art galleries and university art galleries. Museums that exist only in cyberspace (i.e., virtual museums) are not included.
| Name | Town/City | Regional District | Type | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Valley Gap Heritage Ghost Town | Three Valley Gap | Columbia-Shuswap | Open air | website, includes over 25 historic buildings, antique automobile museum, railway roundhouse, mining company, wagon and buggy shop |
| 5th (BC) Artillery Regiment Museum | Victoria | Capital | Military | History of 5th (British Columbia) Field Artillery Regiment, RCA and associated units from 1861 to the present day, field artillery, located in the Bay Street Armoury |
| 12 Service Battalion Museum | Richmond | Greater Vancouver | Military | Open by appointment |
| 108 Heritage Site | 108 Mile Ranch | Cariboo | Open air | website |
| Agassiz-Harrison Museum | Agassiz | Fraser Valley | History | website, local history and area railroad history |
| Akerman Museum | Saltspring Island | Capital | History | information, pioneer and native artifacts |
| Alaska Highway House | Dawson Creek | Peace River | History | information, history and technology of the construction of the Alaska Highway |
| Alberni Valley Museum | Port Alberni | Alberni-Clayoquot | History | website, local history and culture, including collection of First Nations artifacts |
| Alder Grove Community Museum & Archives | Aldergrove | Greater Vancouver | History | website, operated by the Alder Grove Heritage Society, focus is on preserving and sharing Aldergrove's community history |
| Alert Bay Public Library & Museum | Alert Bay | Mount Waddington | History | website, local history and culture |
| Armstrong-Spallumcheen Museum and Art Gallery | Armstrong | North Okanagan | Multiple | [1], local history and art |
| Art Gallery of Greater Victoria | Victoria | Capital | Art | website, Features Asian, Canadian and contemporary art |
| Artspeak | Vancouver | Greater Vancouver | Art | website, contemporary art centre |
| Ashcroft Museum | Ashcroft | Thompson-Nicola | History | website, local history |
| Ashton Armoury Museum | Victoria | Capital | Military | website, histories of the local Service Corps, Medical Corps, Signals Corps and Military Police units |
| Atchelitz Threshermen's Association Museum | Chilliwack | Fraser Valley | Technology | website, includes old cars, trucks, horse equipment, tractors, steam engines, gas engines and local artifacts |
| Atlin Historical Museum | Atlin | Stikine | History | information, local history, operated by the Atlin Historical Society |
| Audain Art Museum | Whistler | Sea to Sky Corridor | Art | The Audain Art Museum’s Permanent Collection of nearly 200 works of art is a visual journey through the history of art from coastal British Columbia. |
| Audain Gallery | Vancouver | Greater Vancouver | Art | website, operated by Simon Fraser University at the Goldcorp Centre for the Arts |
| Barkerville Historic Town | Barkerville | Cariboo | Open air | website, 19th century gold mining town |
| Beaty Biodiversity Museum | Vancouver | Greater Vancouver | Natural history | website, Part of University of British Columbia |
| BC Artifacts Mobile Museum | Delta | Metro Vancouver | Aboriginal Artifacts | website, Fur Trade and Gold Rush |
| BC Farm Museum | Langley | Metro Vancouver | Agriculture | website, farm equipment and machinery |
| BC Forest Discovery Centre | Duncan | Cowichan Valley | Industry | website, Logging industry equipment and artifacts, railroad equipment |
| BC Golf Museum and Hall of Fame | Vancouver | Greater Vancouver | Sports | website |
| BC Interior Forestry Museum | Revelstoke | Columbia-Shuswap | Industry | website, forestry industry |
| BC Orchard Industry Museum | Kelowna | Central Okanagan | Industry | website, includes irrigation, fruit picking, packing, and 50-foot working model railway |
| BC Sports Hall of Fame and Museum | Vancouver | Greater Vancouver | Sports | Located at BC Place Stadium |
| BC Wildlife Park Train Museum | Kamloops | Thompson-Nicola | Railway | |
| BC Wine Museum | Kelowna | Central Okanagan | Industry | wine making and local history |
| Bella Coola Valley Museum | Bella Coola | Cariboo | History | website, local history |
| Black Nugget Museum | Ladysmith | Cowichan Valley | History | Former hotel with historic mining town artifacts |
| Bowen Island Community Museum | Bowen Island | Metro Vancouver | History | website, local history and Higgens Cabin, a 1948 period logger's cabin with tools and period rooms |
| Boundary Museum & Interpretive Centre | Grand Forks | Kootenay Boundary | History | website, local history, Doukhobor history |
| Bralorne Pioneer Museum | Bralorne | Squamish-Lillooet | History | Local history |
| Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site | Richmond | Greater Vancouver | Maritime | website, historic shipyard with ongoing restoration of vessels |
| Britannia Mine Museum | Britannia Beach | Squamish-Lillooet | Mining | Former copper mine with buildings, mine tunnel and equipment; also includes Mill No. 3, a National Historic Site |
| British Columbia Aviation Museum | Sidney | Capital | Aerospace | website, Aircraft, engines, pictures, models and artifacts |
| Bulkley Valley Museum | Smithers | Bulkley-Nechako | History | website, natural history, social and technological development of the Bulkley Valley |
| Burnaby Art Gallery | Burnaby | Greater Vancouver | Art | website, contemporary and historical art exhibits and events by local, regional, national and international artists in the galleries of Ceperley House and throughout the community |
| Burnaby Village Museum | Burnaby | Greater Vancouver | Open air | website, 1890-1920s period British Columbia village |
| Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame and Museum | New Westminster | Greater Vancouver | Sports | Located at Anvil Centre |
| Canadian Military Education Centre | Chilliwack | Fraser Valley | Military | website |
| Canadian Museum of Flight | Langley | Metro Vancouver | Aerospace | website, Includes over 25 civilian and military jets, engine aircraft, gliders, helicopters, aviation art gallery |
| Canadian Museum of Rail Travel | Cranbrook | East Kootenay | Railway | Also known as Trains Deluxe |
| Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary's) Regimental Museum | Victoria | Capital | Military | |
| Centre A | Vancouver | Greater Vancouver | Art | website, Non-profit gallery for contemporary Asian art |
| CFB Esquimalt Naval & Military Museum | Esquimalt | Capital | Military | History and heritage of the naval presence on Canada's West Coast and of the military on Southern Vancouver Island |
| Chase & District Museum and Archives | Chase | Thompson-Nicola | History | website, local history |
| Chemainus Valley Museum | Chemainus | Cowichan Valley | History | Local history |
| Cherryville Museum | Cherryville | North Okanagan | History | website, local history, operated by the Cherryville & Area Historical Society |
| Chilliwack Museum | Chilliwack | Fraser Valley | Multiple | website, local history and art, a National Historic Site of Canada |
| Chinese Cultural Center Museum | Vancouver | Greater Vancouver | Ethnic | website, also includes Chinese Canadian Military Museum |
| Clinton Museum | Clinton | Thompson-Nicola | History | information, local history; also known as South Cariboo Historical Museum |
| Comox Air Force Museum | Comox | Comox Valley | Aerospace | History of CFB Comox and military aviation on the west coast of Canada |
| Comox Valley Art Gallery | Courtenay | Comox Valley | Art | website, regional public art gallery dedicated to exhibiting, interpreting and celebrating emergent contemporary art practices |
| Contemporary Art Gallery | Vancouver | Greater Vancouver | Art | website |
| Cortes Island Museum | Cortes Island | Strathcona | Multiple | website, art, natural and cultural history of the island |
| Cottonwood House Historic Site | Quesnel | Cariboo | History | website, Historic road house along the Cariboo Road |
| Courtenay and District Museum and Palaeontology Centre | Courtenay | Comox Valley | Multiple | website, area's natural and cultural history and art |
| Cowichan Bay Maritime Centre | Cowichan Bay | Cowichan Valley | Maritime | website, maritime heritage and culture of wooden boats |
| Cowichan Valley Museum | Duncan | Cowichan Valley | History | website, local history, operated by the Cowichan Historical Society |
| Craigdarroch Castle | Victoria | Capital | Historic house | website, Victorian-era mansion |
| Craigflower Manor and Schoolhouse | Victoria | Capital | Historic house | 19th century manor and schoolhouse |
| Creston Museum | Creston | Central Kootenay | History | website, local history |
| Crofton Old School House Museum | Crofton | Cowichan Valley | Education | Historic one room school |
| Cumberland Museum & Archives | Cumberland | Comox Valley | History | website, local history, coal mining, historic telephones |
| Dawson Creek Art Gallery | Dawson Creek | Peace River | Art | website |
| Deep Creek Tool Museum | Salmon Arm | Columbia-Shuswap | Technology | Collection of tools, engines, and equipment dating back to the early 20th century |
| Delta Museum and Archives | Delta | Greater Vancouver | History | website, local history |
| Denman Island Museum | Denman Island | Comox Valley | History | information, local history |
| Dixon Entrance Maritime Museum | Masset | Skeena-Queen Charlotte | Maritime | information |
| Doukhobor Discovery Centre | Castlegar | Central Kootenay | Culture | website, arts, crafts, and daily life of the Doukhobors of the Kootenays in 1908-1938 |
| Emily Carr House | Victoria | Capital | Historic house | website, Childhood home of Canadian painter Emily Carr |
| Emily Carr University of Art and Design Galleries | Vancouver | Greater Vancouver | Art | website, Charles H. Scott, Media and Concourse Galleries |
| Enderby and District Museum | Enderby | North Okanagan | History | website, local history |
| Evergreen Cultural Centre | Coquitlam | Greater Vancouver | Art | Cultural arts centre with exhibition gallery |
| The Exploration Place | Prince George | Fraser-Fort George | Multiple | website, science, natural history, paleontology, regional sports history, local history, First Nations; formerly known as Fraser-Fort George Regional Museum |
| Falkland Museum and Heritage Park | Falkland | Columbia-Shuswap | Open air | website, includes 1800s sod roofed pioneer cabin, church, agriculture tools and equipment |
| Fintry Estate | Fintry | Central Okanagan | Historic house | website |
| First National Dog Museum | Kamloops | Thompson-Nicola | Dog | |
| Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Site | Colwood | Capital | Maritime | Lighthouse keeper's residence and maritime exhibits |
| Fort Langley Heritage CN Station | Fort Langley | Greater Vancouver | Railroad | website Restored 19th-century station with railroad artifacts |
| Fort Langley National Historic Site | Fort Langley | Greater Vancouver | Open air | Former trading post of the Hudson's Bay Company with historic crafts and demonstrations |
| Fort Nelson Heritage Museum | Fort Nelson | Northern Rockies | Multiple | website, antique cars and trucks, road building equipment, license plates, historic buildings, tools, minerals, toys, household items |
| Fort Rodd Hill National Historic Site | Colwood | Capital | Military | 19th-century coastal artillery fort |
| Fort St. James National Historic Site | Fort St. James | Bulkley-Nechako | Open air | Restored Hudson's Bay Company post with 1896 living history guides in the summer |
| Fort St. John North Peace Museum | Fort St. John | Peace River | History | website, local history |
| Fort Steele Heritage Town | Fort Steele | East Kootenay | Open air | Historic ghost town with preserved buildings and historic displays |
| Fraser River Discovery Centre | New Westminster | Metro Vancouver | Multiple | website, natural history, ecology, industry, and history of the Fraser River and its local impact |
| Gabriola Museum | Gabriola Island | Nanaimo | History | website, local cultural and natural history |
| Galiano Museum | Galiano Island | Capital | History | website, local history |
| Gallery 2: Grand Forks and District Art and Heritage Centre | Grand Forks | Kootenay Boundary | Multiple | website, operated by the Grand Forks Area Arts Council, art and local history |
| Glacier National Park | Revelstoke | Columbia-Shuswap | Multiple | Rogers Pass Discovery Centre exhibits include natural history of the park, Canadian Pacific Railway, Trans-Canada Highway and the route through the Rogers Pass |
| Golden Museum | Golden | Columbia-Shuswap | History | website, local history |
| Greater Vernon Museum and Archives | Vernon | North Okanagan | History | website, local history, includes gallery with art by Allan Brooks and other North Okanagan artists |
| Greenwood Museum | Greenwood | Kootenay Boundary | History | website, local history |
| Gulf of Georgia Cannery | Steveston | Greater Vancouver | Maritime | History of the West Coast fishing industry and the cannery |
| H. R. MacMillan Space Centre | Vancouver | Greater Vancouver | Science | Exhibits about space and science |
| Haida Heritage Centre | Skidegate | Skeena-Queen Charlotte | First Nations | Cultural centre and Haida Gwaii Museum of the Haida people, Haida history, art, culture and contemporary life |
| Hatley Park National Historic Site | Colwood | Capital | Historic house | Early 20th-century Scottish Baronial-style castle mansion |
| Hardy Mountain Doukhobor Village Historic Site | Grand Forks | Kootenay Boundary | Open air | Operated by The Land Conservancy of British Columbia, former Doukhobor village |
| Hazelton Pioneer Museum & Archives | Hazelton | Stikine | History | Local history, part of the Hazelton District Public Library |
| Hedley Heritage Museum | Hedley | Okanagan-Similkameen | History | Local history |
| Helmcken House | Victoria | Capital | Historic house | 19th century doctor's house |
| Heritage Acres | Saanich | Capital | Open air | website, operated by the Saanich Historical Artifacts Society, includes historic buildings, working steam engines, tractors, agricultural machinery, and household and industrial artifacts |
| PoCo Heritage Museum and Archives | Port Coquitlam | Metro Vancouver | History | website, local history, operated by the Port Coquitlam Heritage and Cultural Society. |
| Heritage Park Museum | Terrace | Kitimat-Stikine | Open air | website, pioneer buildings |
| Historic Hat Creek Ranch | Cache Creek | Thompson-Nicola | Open air | website |
| Historic O'Keefe Ranch | Vernon | North Okanagan | Open air | 19th century ranch and community buildings |
| Historic Stewart Farm | Surrey | Metro Vancouver | Farm | website, restored 1894 farmhouse, pole barn, root cellar and heirloom gardens and orchard |
| Hope Museum | Hope | Fraser Valley | History | Local history |
| Huble Homestead Historic Site | Giscome Portage | Fraser-Fort George | Open air | website, includes Huble House, Salmon Valley Post Office, general store, trapper's Cabin, barns, blacksmith shop and the First Nations fish camp |
| Hudson's Hope Museum | Hudson's Hope | Peace River | Multiple | website, local history, fossils, natural history, |
| Iris Griffith Centre | Pender Harbour | Sunshine Coast | Natural history | website, operated by the Lagoon Society, focus is human interaction with the natural environment from the mountains down to the sea |
| Irving House | New Westminster | Greater Vancouver | Historic house | website, mid-19th century period house |
| Jack Lynn Memorial-Pioneer Museum | Horsefly | Cariboo | History | Local history |
| Japanese Canadian Museum | Kaslo | Central Kootenay | History | website, located in The Langham Cultural Society, history of the Japanese Canadian families who were interned in the former hotel during World War II |
| Jewish Museum and Archives of British Columbia | Vancouver | Greater Vancouver | Ethnic | website |
| Jim's Ford Corral Museum | Sorrento | Columbia-Shuswap | Commodity | Includes gas-station memorabilia, farm equipment and scale-model toys |
| Kaatza Station Museum | Lake Cowichan | Cowichan Valley | History | website, local history, include a store, post office, mine shaft and logging displays, also railroad cars and equipment; located in a railroad station, operated by the Kaatza Historical Society |
| Kamloops Art Gallery | Kamloops | Thompson-Nicola | Art | website |
| Kamloops Museum & Archives | Kamloops | Thompson-Nicola | History | Local history, culture, children's section |
| Kelowna Art Gallery | Kelowna | Central Okanagan | Art | |
| Keremeos Grist Mill | Keremeos | Okanagan-Similkameen | Mill | website, also known as The Grist Mill and Gardens |
| Kettle River Museum | Midway | Kootenay Boundary | History | website, local history |
| Kilby Historic Site | Harrison Mills | Fraser Valley | Multiple | Located in Kilby Provincial Park, includes Kilby General Store Museum with 1920s and 1930s merchandise, working heritage Waterloo Farm Museum |
| Kimberley Heritage Museum | Kimberley | East Kootenay | History | website, local history |
| Kimberley's Underground Mining Railway | Kimberley | East Kootenay | Railroad | website, heritage railroad and mining tour; operated by the Sullivan Mine and Railway Historical Society |
| Kitimat Museum | Kitimat | Kitimat-Stikine | Multiple | website, local history, multiculturalism, turn-of-the-20th-century settlement, Haisla arts and technology, natural history |
| Kootenay Gallery | Castlegar | Central Kootenay | Art | website |
| 'Ksan Historical Village and Museum | Hazelton | Stikine | First Nations | Museum and replica ancient village |
| Ktunaxa Interpretive Centre | Cranbrook | East Kootenay | First Nations | Located in the St. Eugene Golf Resort and Casino, culture of the Ktunaxa |
| Kwinitsa Station Railway Museum | Prince Rupert | Skeena-Queen Charlotte | Railway | |
| Lake Country Museum | Lake Country | Central Okanagan | History | website, local history |
| Lakes District Museum | Burns Lake | Bulkley-Nechako | History | Local history |
| Langley Centennial Museum | Langley | Greater Vancouver | Multiple | website, local history and temporary art, history or science exhibitions |
| Legacy Art Gallery and Cafe | Victoria | Capital | Art | Contemporary art gallery of the University of Victoria, works by local and Canadian artists |
| Lumby Museum | Lumby | North Okanagan | History | website, local history, agricultural and logging machinery, operated by the Lumby & District Historical Society |
| Lillooet Museum | Lillooet | Squamish-Lillooet | History | Local history |
| London Heritage Farm | Richmond | Greater Vancouver | Historic house | 1880s period farmhouse |
| Lytton Museum | Lytton | Thompson-Nicola | History | website, local history, open in summer |
| Mackenzie and District Museum | Mackenzie | Fraser-Fort George | History | website, local history, located in the Ernie Bodin Centre |
| Mackie Lake House | Coldstream | North Okanagan | Historic house | website, 1910 Arts & Crafts style house |
| Mackin House | Coquitlam | Greater Vancouver | Historic house | website, operated by the Coquitlam Heritage Society, 1910 period house, toy displays and local history |
| Maltwood Prints and Drawings Gallery | Saanich | Capital | Art | Part of University of Victoria, rotating exhibits from the university's collections at the Mearns Centre - McPherson Library |
| Maple Ridge Museum | Maple Ridge | Greater Vancouver | History | website, local history, also Haney House Museum, a late 19th-century period house |
| Maritime Museum of British Columbia | Victoria | Capital | Maritime | |
| Mascot Gold Mine | Hedley | Okanagan-Similkameen | Mining | Seasonal tours of the mine and mine buildings |
| Mayne Island Museum | Mayne Island | Capital | History | Local history, located in a former jail |
| McLean Mill National Historic Site | Port Alberni | Metro Vancouver | Industry | Historic sawmill, end point of the heritage Alberni Pacific Railway |
| Metchosin School Museum | Metchosin | Capital | History | website, housed in a one-room schoolhouse, local history and historic items |
| Michif Métis Museum | Vavenby | Thompson-Nicola | First Nations | website |
| Miniature World | Victoria | Capital | Toy | website, miniature dioramas |
| Mission Museum | Mission | Fraser Valley | History | website, local history |
| Miyazaki House | Lillooet | Squamish-Lillooet | Multiple | Historic house, local history and art |
| MSA Museum | Abbotsford | Fraser Valley | Multiple | website, includes the 1920s period Trethewey House Heritage Site, and changing exhibits of local history |
| Museum at Campbell River | Campbell River | Strathcona | History | website, culture and history of Northern Vancouver Island |
| Museum of Anthropology at UBC | Vancouver | Greater Vancouver | First Nations | Aboriginal Canadian culture and artifacts |
| Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology | Burnaby | Greater Vancouver | Archaeology | website, part of Simon Fraser University |
| Museum of Northern BC | Prince Rupert | Skeena-Queen Charlotte | First Nations | website |
| Museum of the Cariboo Chilcotin | Williams Lake | Cariboo | Cowboy | website, ranching and cowboy culture, includes BC Cowboy Hall of Fame |
| Museum of Vancouver | Vancouver | Greater Vancouver | History | City history |
| Nakusp & District Museum | Nakusp | Central Kootenay | History | Local history |
| Nanaimo Art Gallery | Nanaimo | Nanaimo | Art | website |
| Nanaimo Bastion | Nanaimo | Nanaimo | History | 1850s octagonal bastion, tours in the summer |
| Nanaimo Museum | Nanaimo | Nanaimo | History | website, local history |
| Naramata Heritage Museum | Naramata | Okanagan-Similkameen | History | website, local history, located in a former fire hall |
| New Media Gallery | New Westminster | Greater Vancouver | Art | website, local history, operated by the City in the Anvil Centre |
| New Westminster Museum | New Westminster | Greater Vancouver | History | website, local history, located in the Anvil Centre, includes displays about the New Westminster Police |
| Nicola Valley Museum and Archives | Merritt | Thompson-Nicola | History | Local history |
| Nikkei Internment Memorial Centre | New Denver | Central Kootenay | Military | History of the Japanese Canadians that were relocated to internment camps during World War II |
| Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre | Burnaby | Greater Vancouver | Ethnic | website, also known as Nikkei Centre, Japanese Canadian culture and contributions to Canada |
| Nisga'a Memorial Lava Bed Provincial Park | Gitlakdamix | Kitimat-Stikine | Natural history | Visitor center exhibits include natural history of the park, Nisga'a culture, tours of the lava beds |
| Nisga'a Museum | Laxgalts'ap | First Nations | History and culture of the Nisga'a | |
| Nk'Mip Desert Cultural Centre | Osoyoos | Okanagan-Similkameen | Multiple | Okanagan People, natural history of the desert |
| North Pacific Cannery National Historic Site | Port Edward | Skeena-Queen Charlotte | Open air | website, tours of historic fish cannery buildings; also known as North Pacific Historic Fishing Village |
| North Thompson Museum | Barriere | Thompson-Nicola | History | website, local history, open in summer, housed in a former B.C. Forest Service Ranger Station |
| North Vancouver Museum & Archives | North Vancouver | Greater Vancouver | Multiple | website, local history and art |
| Notch Hill Historic Site | Sorrento | Columbia-Shuswap | Open air | |
| Nuymbalees Cultural Centre | Quadra Island | Strathcona | First Nations | website, formerly the Kwagiulth Museum, located in Cape Mudge |
| Okanagan Heritage Museum | Kelowna | Central Okanagan | History | website, area's history and culture |
| Okanagan Military Museum | Kelowna | Central Okanagan | Military | website |
| Okanagan Science Center | Vernon | North Okanagan | Science | website |
| Old Hastings Mill Store Museum | Vancouver | Greater Vancouver | History | Aboriginal Canadian, pioneer and immigrant artifacts |
| Old School House Arts Centre | Qualicum Beach | Nanaimo | Art | website |
| Oliver and District Museum | Oliver | Okanagan-Similkameen | History | website, local history, operated by the Oliver and District Heritage Society |
| Or Gallery | Vancouver | Greater Vancouver | Art | website |
| Osoyoos Desert Centre | Osoyoos | Okanagan-Similkameen | Natural history | 67 acres, desert ecology, habitat restoration and conservation of endangered ecosystems in the South Okanagan |
| Osoyoos Desert Model Railroad | Osoyoos | Okanagan-Similkameen | Railroad | website, model railroad layouts |
| Pacific Museum of the Earth | Vancouver | Greater Vancouver | Natural history | website, operated by the University of British Columbia, rocks, minerals, fossils |
| Parksville Museum | Parksville | Nanaimo | Open air | website, located in Craig Heritage Park, displays a number of heritage buildings from the time of the first settlers in the area |
| Peace Canyon Dam Visitor's Center | Hudson's Hope | Peace River | Multiple | Area history, natural history, building of the dam and hydroelectricity |
| Peachland Museum | Peachland | Central Okanagan | History | website, local history, operated by the Peachland Historical Society |
| Pemberton Museum | Pemberton | Squamish-Lillooet | History | website, local history, open seasonally |
| Penticton Art Gallery | Penticton | Okanagan-Similkameen | Art | website, formerly the Art Gallery of the South Okanagan |
| Penticton Museum | Penticton | Okanagan-Similkameen | Multiple | website, local history, culture, natural history and art |
| Pitt Meadows Museum | Pitt Meadows | Greater Vancouver | History | website, local history |
| Port Alberni Maritime Discovery Centre | Port Alberni | Alberni-Clayoquot | History | website, area cultural, environmental and industrial maritime history |
| Port Clements Museum | Port Clements | Skeena-Queen Charlotte | History | website, includes logging equipment, machinery and pioneer items, operated by the Port Clements Historical Society |
| Port Hardy Museum | Port Hardy | Mount Waddington | History | website, local history, operated by the Port Hardy Heritage Society |
| Port McNeill Heritage Museum | Port McNeill | Mount Waddington | History | Local history |
| PoMo Museum | Port Moody | Greater Vancouver | History | Local history, located in a historic railway station building |
| Pouce Coupe Museum | Pouce Coupe | Peace River | History | website, includes Heritage House, trapper's cabin, caboose and the original NAR train station, open seasonally |
| Powell River Forestry Museum | Powell River | Sunshine Coast | History | website, local logging and railway history, operated seasonally by the Powell River Forestry Heritage Society |
| Powell River Historical Museum | Powell River | Sunshine Coast | History | website, local history |
| Presentation House Gallery | North Vancouver | Metro Vancouver | Art | Photography and media art, emphasizing contemporary Canadian work within a context of historical and international art |
| Prince George Railway and Forestry Museum | Prince George | Fraser-Fort George | Railway | Includes historic buildings, locomotives and rolling stock, logging machinery, communication devices and fire department equipment |
| Prince Rupert Fire Hall Museum | Prince Rupert | Skeena-Queen Charlotte | Firefighting | website, information |
| Princeton District Pioneer Museum | Princeton | Okanagan-Similkameen | Multiple | Local history artifacts, fossils |
| Qualicum Beach Museum | Qualicum Beach | Nanaimo | Multiple | website, local history and fossils |
| Quesnel Museum | Quesnel | Cariboo | History | website, includes period room and business displays, Chinese artifacts |
| Quw’utsun Cultural Centre | Duncan | Cowichan Valley | First Nations | website, heritage of the Quw'utsun people |
| The Reach Gallery Museum | Abbotsford | Fraser Valley | Art | Exhibitions of local, regional, national and international art |
| Regimental Museum of the BC Regiment | Vancouver | Greater Vancouver | Military | History and artifacts of The British Columbia Regiment (Duke of Connaught's Own) |
| Revelstoke Dam Visitor Center | Revelstoke | Columbia-Shuswap | Multiple | History of the dam, science of hydroelectricity, First Nations history and culture |
| Revelstoke Firehall Museum | Revelstoke | Columbia-Shuswap | Firefighting | website |
| Revelstoke Nickelodeon Museum | Revelstoke | Columbia-Shuswap | Music | website, mechanical music machines including Victorian musical boxes, player pianos, player reed and pipe organs |
| Revelstoke Museum and Archives | Revelstoke | Columbia-Shuswap | History | website, local history |
| Revelstoke Railway Museum | Revelstoke | Columbia-Shuswap | Railroad | website |
| Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre | Revelstoke | Columbia-Shuswap | Art | website |
| Richmond Art Gallery | Richmond | Greater Vancouver | Art | website |
| Richmond Museum | Richmond | Greater Vancouver | History | website, local history and culture |
| RJ Haney Heritage Village & Museum | Salmon Arm | Columbia-Shuswap] | Open air | website |
| Rocky Mountain Rangers Museum | Kamloops | Thompson-Nicola | Military | website, located in the JR Vicars Armoury, history of The Rocky Mountain Rangers |
| Roedde House Museum | Vancouver | Greater Vancouver | Historic house | Late Victorian period house |
| Rossland Museum & Discovery Centre | Rossland | Kootenay Boundary | Multiple | website, year-round local history museum, historic park with mine and railway buildings. Operated by the Rossland Historical Museum & Archives Association. On the site of the Rossland Mines - Kootenay Mining Region National Historic Event designation. |
| Royal British Columbia Museum | Victoria | Capital | Multiple | History, natural history, First Nations culture |
| Rotary Centre for the Arts | Kelowna | Central Okanagan | Arts | Performing and cultural arts centre with art exhibits |
| Royal Westminster Regiment Historical Society and Museum | New Westminster | Greater Vancouver | Military | |
| Saanich Pioneer Museum | Saanichton | Capital | History | Operated by the Saanich Pioneer Society, pioneer and First Nations artifacts, also known as the Log Cabin Museum & Archives |
| Salmo Museum | Salmo | Central Kootenay | History | Local history |
| Salt Spring Island Museum | Ganges | Capital | History | website, local history, also known as the Bittancourt House Museum |
| Samson V Maritime Museum | New Westminster | Metro Vancouver | Maritime | website, sternwheel snagboat museum ship |
| Sandon Museum | Sandon | Central Kootenay | History | website, local history of the mining ghost town, operated seasonally by the Sandon Historical Society |
| Science World | Vancouver | Greater Vancouver | Science | |
| The Seaforth Museum | Vancouver | Greater Vancouver | Military | Located in the Seaforth Armoury, history and memorabilia of The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada |
| Secwepemc Museum and Heritage Park | Kamloops | Thompson-Nicola | First Nations | History & culture of the Shuswap People |
| Shawnigan Lake Museum | Shawnigan Lake | Cowichan Valley | History | website, local history |
| Sicamous & District Museum | Sicamous | Columbia-Shuswap | Technology | Local history, located in the Civic Centre, operated by the Sicamous & District Museum and Historical Society, formerly known as the Eagle Valley Museum |
| Sidney Museum and Archives | Sidney | Capital | Multiple | Local history, Saanich pioneers, includes period kitchen and school room |
| Silverton Historical Society Interpretive Centre | Silverton | Central Kootenay | History | website, local history, adjacent to outdoor Frank Mills Outdoor Mining Museum, restored Fingland Cabin & Blacksmith Shop |
| Silvery Slocan Museum | New Denver | Central Kootenay | History | Local history |
| Simon Fraser University Gallery | Burnaby | Greater Vancouver | Art | website, established in 1970 |
| Snaza’ist Discovery Centre | Hedley | Okanagan-Similkameen | First Nations | website, history and culture of the Similkameen people, tours of the Mascot Gold Mine |
| Sncəwips Heritage Museum | Westbank | Central Okanagan | First Nations | website, representing the cultural heritage of Westbank First Nation and the greater Okanagan Nation |
| Sointula Museum | Sointula | Mount Waddington | History | website, local history |
| Sooke Region Museum | Sooke | Capital | Open air | website, includes museum with local history and culture exhibits, blacksmith shop, lighthouse equipment, machinery and equipment for agriculture and industry, 1902 period pioneer cottage |
| South Peace Historical Society Railway Station Museum | Dawson Creek | Peace River | History | Also known as N.A.R. Station Museum, includes pioneers, natural history, railroads and building of the Alaska Highway |
| South Similkameen Museum | Keremeos | Okanagan-Similkameen | History | website, local history, housed in a former police office and jail |
| Sparwood Museum | Sparwood | East Kootenay | History | Local history, operated by the Michel-Natal-Sparwood Heritage Society |
| Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre | Whistler | Squamish-Lillooet | First Nations | website |
| S.S. Moyie National Historic Site | Kaslo | Central Kootenay | Maritime | Passenger sternwheeler museum ship |
| Stave Falls Visitor Centre | Stave Falls | Fraser Valley | Science | Hydroelectricity and the dam |
| Stewart Historical Museum | Stewart | Stikine | History | Local history, operated by the Stewart Historical Society |
| Steveston Museum | Richmond | Greater Vancouver | History | Recreated rooms of a bank, post office, general store, and bedrooms |
| Summerland Museum | Summerland | Okanagan-Similkameen | History | website, local history and development |
| Sunshine Coast Museum and Archives | Gibsons | Sunshine Coast | Multiple | website, local maritime, natural and cultural history |
| Surrey Art Gallery | Surrey | Greater Vancouver | Multiple | website, contemporary art museum specializing in exhibitions and education, located in the Surrey Arts Centre |
| Surrey Museum | Surrey | Greater Vancouver | Multiple | website, local history and culture, changing exhibits of art, culture and science, historic log cabin, textile studio |
| Tahsis Museum | Tahsis | Strathcona | History | Local history |
| Teck Cominco Interpretive Centre | Trail | Kootenay Boundary | Mining | Science of mineral exploration, free tours of the zinc lead smelter |
| Teck Gallery | Vancouver | Greater Vancouver | Art | website, operated by Simon Fraser University at Harbour Centre |
| Telkwa Museum | Telkwa | Bulkley-Nechako | History | Local history, located in a 1921 school house |
| tems swiya Museum | Sechelt | Sunshine Coast | First Nations | Culture and history of the Shishalh peoples |
| Terrace Art Gallery | Terrace | Kitimat-Stikine | Art | website |
| Texada Island Museum | Texada Island | Sunshine Coast | History | website, local history, operated by the Texada Island Heritage Society |
| Touchstones Nelson Museum of Art and History | Nelson | Central Kootenay | Multiple | website, art and local history |
| Trail Museum | Trail | Kootenay Boundary | History | website, local history, operated by the Trail Historical Society |
| Trev Deeley Motorcycle Exhibition | Vancouver | Greater Vancouver | Transport | website, motorcycles and motorcycle racing |
| Two Rivers Gallery | Prince George | Fraser-Fort George | Art | website, operated by the Prince George Regional Art Gallery Association |
| U'mista Cultural Centre | Alert Bay | Mount Waddington | First Nations | website, cultural heritage of the Kwakwaka'wakw |
| Valemount Museum | Valemount | Fraser-Fort George | History | website, local history, located in the Valemount Historic Railway Station |
| Valley Museum and Archive | McBride | Fraser-Fort George | History | website, local history |
| Van Anda Museum | Texada Island | Sunshine Coast | Multiple | website, local history |
| Vancouver Art Gallery | Vancouver | Greater Vancouver | Art | Collections include major works by Emily Carr, the Group of Seven and Marc Chagall |
| Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre | Vancouver | Greater Vancouver | Holocaust | website |
| Vancouver Island Military Museum | Nanaimo | Nanaimo | Military | website |
| Vancouver Maritime Museum | Vancouver | Greater Vancouver | Maritime | |
| Vancouver Police Museum | Vancouver | Greater Vancouver | Law enforcement | |
| Vanderhoof Heritage Museum | Vanderhoof | Bulkley-Nechako | Open air | website, operated by the Nechako Valley Historical Society, restored 1900s period buildings, train cars, a heritage park and interpretive walking trails |
| Vernon Public Art Gallery | Vernon | North Okanagan | Art | website |
| Victoria Fire Department Museum | Victoria | Capital | Firefighting | website |
| Victoria Police Department Museum | Victoria | Capital | Law enforcement | |
| W. A. C. Bennett Dam Visitor Centre | Hudson's Hope | Peace River | Multiple | Area history, natural history, building of the dam and hydroelectricity |
| Walter Wright Pioneer Village | Dawson Creek | Peace River | Open air | website |
| Widzin Kwah Canyon House Museum (Widzin Kwah Diyik Be Yikh) | Witset | Bulkley-Nechako | First Nations | History and culture of the Wet'suwet'en |
| Wells Museum | Wells | Cariboo | History | website, local history, hard rock gold mining, operated by the Wells Historical Society |
| West Coast Railway Heritage Park | Squamish | Squamish-Lillooet | Railway | Typical railway facility of the mid-20th century and restored railroad cars, operated by the West Coast Railway Association |
| West Vancouver Museum | West Vancouver | Greater Vancouver | Art | website |
| Westbank Museum | Westbank | Central Okanagan | History | website, local history |
| The Whale Centre | Tofino | Alberni-Clayoquot | Natural history | website, marine life and tours for watching whales, sea birds and marine mammals |
| Whale Interpretive Centre | Telegraph Cove | Mount Waddington | Natural history | website, operated by the Johnstone Strait Killer Whale Interpretive Centre Society, exhibits about killer whales, fin whales, humpback whales, sea otters and other local marine mammals, open seasonally |
| Whistler Museum and Archives | Whistler | Squamish-Lillooet | Multiple | website, area's natural, cultural history, sports |
| White Post Auto Museum | Tappen | Columbia-Shuswap | Automobile | website, indoor and outdoor displays of antique and classic automobiles |
| White Rock Museum and Archives | White Rock | Metro Vancouver | History | website, local history |
| Windermere Valley Museum | Invermere | East Kootenay | Open air | website, includes train station, schoolhouse, cabins, general store |
| Xá:ytem Longhouse Interpretive Centre | Mission | Fraser Valley | First Nations | |
| Yale Historic Site | Yale | Fraser Valley | History | website, local history, 1870s 'Creighton House' museum, living history demonstrations |
| Zeballos Heritage Museum | Zeballos | Strathcona | History | Local history |
Defunct museums
- 83 Mile House Farm Equipment Museum and Historic Site, 70 Mile House, contents auctioned off in 2012
- Bug Lab, New Westminster
- Centre of the Universe - Dominion Astrophysical Observatory, Saanich, closed in 2013, public star-gazing events on specified dates
- Granville Island Model Trains Museum, Vancouver, closed in 2008
- Granville Island Sport Fishing Museum, Vancouver
- New Westminster Police Museum, closed in 2015, displays now part of the New Westminster Museum
- The Niagara Falls Museum
- Royal London Wax Museum, Victoria, website, closed in 2010
- Storyeum, Vancouver
See also
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List of museums in British Columbia Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.