History

Why This Work Matters 

Every object tells a story. From hats and chairs to hammers and wooden spoons, these items help us learn about BC’s past. They reveal the lives of families, governments, factory workers, immigrants, and Indigenous communities. By preserving these objects, we help future generations understand how BC has grown and changed over time. 

Helping Science and Conservation 

Our work helps researchers, historians, writers, and community groups explore human stories through objects significant to the province or representative of life in BC. We share our research and loan objects out to institutions across Canada and the world, ensuring important people and events are not forgotten. 

Growing the Collection 

We collect items made or used in BC—everything from antique quilts and silverware to tools from mines, breweries, canneries, and hospitals. Most of our collection comes from generous donations. The textile collection alone includes more than 10,000 items, ranging from quilts and lace to several centuries of clothing. 

Learning and Outreach 

Exhibits and school programs bring BC’s history to life. In the History Galleries, you can step back in time to the 19th and early 20th centuries. Explore spaces like a saloon, blacksmith, a kitchen, and even the Majestic Theatre. New storytelling panels inspire questions and celebrate the diverse people that built BC. You can see an example of this with the 2023 refresh of the Port Moody train station. 

We also partner with communities and educators to create displays that reflect multicultural experiences of BC history.