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The Admiral Inn's Guide to Victoria BC     

 

Museums and Historical Sites

 

By Old World standards, the city of Victoria is the new kid on the block. But that hasn’t stopped us from racking up a whole bunch of history. From the First Nations people who’ve lived here for thousands of years, to the establishment of Fort Victoria in 1848, to the Gold Rush a year or two later that doubled our population overnight, Victoria’s been a busy place. Check out some of these places for more history and some our famous (and infamous) characters.

 

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  • Royal British Columbia Museum A stunning interactive museum with acres of dioramas and fascination. Don’t forget to check out their special exhibits and the IMAX theatre while you’re there.

  • Thunderbird Park part of the RBCM, Thunderbird park is a great place to begin your explorations into First Nations art, culture and history. (link:

  • Helmcken House Also located on the grounds of the RBCM, the house of Victoria’s first doctor, Dr. John Helmecken is a fascinating trip into Victoria’s past.

  • Maritime Museum A great look at Victoria's marine importance.
    Saanich Historical Artifacts Society – Buildings, farm implements and growing techniques as well as model railroading – what more could the history and railroad buff ask?

  • British Columbia Aviation Museum located close by the airport (where else would an aviation museum be?) this place is the place to go if your passion is flying. 

  • Sidney Museum if you’re interested in early West Coast pioneer life, or whaling, this is the place for you! Check out their whale skeletons!

  • Royal London Wax Museum - Virtual Celebrities.

  • Victoria's Parliament Buildings Designed by Francis Rattenbury, one of Victoria’s better architects and a colourful character in his own right, these are an architectural feast. Update this link to:

  • The Empress Hotel – Another one of Francis Rattenbury’s creations, the Empress is without doubt one of the jewels of Victoria and has housed royalty and rogues since it first opened in 1908.

  • Emily Carr House Besides being the childhood home of Victoria’s most famous daughter, the house is a sterling example of Victorian West Coast architecture and gracious living.

  • Craigdarroch Castle Built in the 1890s to fulfill a wedding promise, this is one of the most beautiful examples of aristocratic Victorian living.

  • Craigflower Farm and School House: built in the 1850’s by the Hudson’s Bay company, Craigflower Farm was one of several Hudson’s Bay Farms in and around Fort Victoria. The historic site preserves and communicates what life on the West Coast was like in the early days of our city.

  • Point Ellice House Another Victorian house of the privileged class, the house was built in 1861 and added to in 1867 to accommodate a growing family. Experience a Victorian tea in the marvellous gardens and see how an earlier era lived.

  • Fort Rodd Hill With its protected harbours and spectacular and defensible mountains, Victoria has always had a military presence. Now a spacious, open park, as well as a historic site, Fort Rodd Hill is a perfect place to both enjoy some open green space and bone up on your military history.

  • Fisguard Lighthouse has been in continual operation since it was built in 1860 and is open to the public. Step into a bygone era and listen for the storms, and shipwrecks and grateful voices of the people whose lives were saved by this light.

  • Ross Bay Cemetery. A lot of Victoria’s history and some of her most colourful characters are here. Tours available.

  • Chinese Cemetery  Located on windswept, beautiful Harling Point, this historic site is still visited by the descendants of the Chinese buried here. Peaceful and serene, it’s worth a visit just to soak up the peace and view.


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