Internationally renowned for warm hospitality,gorgeous scenery, and exceptional activities and attractions, the Vancouver Island region is acclaimed by the readers of the prestigious Condé Nast Traveler Magazine and has been named Top North American Island nine years in a row and thirteen times over the past fifteen year.
Discovering the history of the Vancouver Island region is an exciting journey into the past, and full of insight into our modern culture.
Ride a steam train through an outdoor forestry museum or explore a fully restored heritage mill where actors demonstrate the tools of their trades. Stroll through flourishing gardens first planted by early settlers or have an English-style tea party in the garden of a heritage home. Visit a community that was established more than a century ago by Finnish idealists with a dream of Utopia. Discover the haunting story behind a significant collection of First Nations ceremonial regalia. See the history of a town depicted in outdoor murals or watch First Nations artisans demonstrate the ancient skills of their ancestors.
Museums here bring the past to life: the ancient traditions and proud culture of the First Nations . . . stories of pioneer hardships and lifestyles and the people who built the region’s communities . . . tales of marine exploration, the heroes that charted these waters and the perils they faced . . . the early days of forestry, fishing, mining, agriculture, aviation, and the military. The Vancouver Island region’s museums are the keepers of a tremendous wealth of historic treasure to be preserved and shared.
Anywhere you travel in the Vancouver Island region, you’ll find pieces of our history, from the larger collections at places like the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, Royal B.C. Museum, Quw'utsun' Cultural Centre, Nanaimo Art Gallery, McLean Mill National Historic Site in Port Alberni, Museum at Campbell River, and U'mista Cultural Centre to historic sites and the smaller artifact collections in museums in almost every community on the Island.
