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Historic & Heritage Sites Sneak a peek into our past. Gastown You'll be transported to 1925 at Burnaby Village. Or back further to 1885 at the Britannia Shipyard. Perhaps you'd prefer the Irving House, an 1865 Victorian manor. Or take an enthralling walk along the cobblestone streets of Vancouver's first neighbourhood, Gastown.
Burnaby Village Museum Close to Vancouver -but a world and time period away- rests the open-air site of Burnaby Village Museum. This lively village offers a tangible glimpse of mid-1920s Burnaby, complete with costumed townspeople and historic buildings. Of particular note, the village is home to one of the few remaining hand-carved carousels still in operation in North America. A 1925 Wurlitzer military band organ provides accompanying music for carousel riders. With more than 30 quaint shops including a Chinese herbalist and blacksmith, charming homes, a one-room schoolhouse, restaurant and gardens, the Burnaby Village Museum promises to be a rewarding -and learning- experience. The museum is a 30-minute drive east of downtown Vancouver. A word or two on your visit: > Burnaby Village Museum website.
Storyeum One of Vancouver's newest and intriguing attractions, Storyeum is set in an underground theatre in the city's historic Gastown neighbourhood. Live performances, music and lighting blend together to chronicle the story of BC's development, seamlessly guiding visitors from one chapter in time to the next. Geography, First Nations' culture and history, the railroad, the Gold Rush, natural resources and multiculturalism are all explored during this incomparable and memorable step back in time. You can find Storyeum in Gastown, within easy walking distance of downtown Vancouver. A word or two on your visit: A word or two on safety:
Irving House/New Westminster Museum New Westminster, Western Canada's oldest city, offers a unique glimpse of days gone by at both the Irving House Historical Centre and New Westminster Museum. Irving House was constructed in 1865 by Captain William Irving. Today the house has been faithfully restored -complete with ornate ceilings and original wallpaper- enabling visitors to revisit the elegance of the Victorian era. Just steps away sits the New Westminster Museum, which pays homage to the city's earliest days. Art, bayonets and china teacups are just three samples of the artifacts on display. Learn about the town's celebrated May Day, the oldest event of its kind in the British Commonwealth. New Westminster is approximately a 40-minute drive southeast of Vancouver. A word or two on your visit:
Gastown The historic district of Gastown is Vancouver's oldest neighbourhood and still as colourful as ever. A daytime stroll down its cobblestone streets reveals artists' studios and designer shops, First Nations galleries and antique stores in refurbished heritage buildings. Gastown is also home to the world's first steam-powered clock, now one of the city's most photographed attractions. History enthusiasts will find a visit to Gastown's Storyeum most fascinating as they walk through pivotal developments in Western Canada's past. Located a short walk from many downtown hotels as well as the cruise ship, floatplane and public transportation terminals, Gastown's lamp-lit core beckons to one and all. Guided walking tours are available. Gastown is within easy walking distance of downtown Vancouver's. A word or two on your visit: A word or two on safety:
Gulf of Georgia Cannery The Gulf of Georgia Cannery today is a National Historic Site. Built in 1894, it is one of the few remaining 19th-century salmon canneries still in existence. Recently, the World Monument Fund ranked it as one of the world's 100 most endangered cultural sites. This interactive museum, located in the fishing village of Steveston, pays tribute to the proud history of the West Coast fishing industry, complete with model canning-line, fish-processing equipment, tools, archival photos and memorabilia. The cannery's boiler house has been converted into a 50-seat theatre. Guided tours are also available. Take some additional time to tour the village itself. Steveston is also home to the Britannia Heritage Shipyard. Steveston Village is a 40-minute drive from downtown Vancouver's via Highway 99. A word or two on your visit:
Britannia Heritage Shipyard The buildings on the 3.2- ha (8-ac) Britannia Heritage Shipyard stand today as a reminder of British Columbia's rich fishing history. As the oldest surviving structure of its kind still standing on the banks of the Fraser River, the shipyard has officially been named a National Historic Site. Visitors who explore Murakami House, constructed in 1885, get a glimpse of what life was like for a Japanese-Canadian family back then. Take some additional time to tour the village itself. Steveston is also home to the Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site. Steveston Village is a 40-minute drive from Vancouver via Highway 99. A word or two on your visit: |
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