Royal BC Museum

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Royal BC Museum

Inspiring curiosity through shared stories, nature, history and culture. BC’s provincial museum. The museum was founded in 1886; the archives in 1894.

The Royal BC Museum Corporation is one of the foremost cultural institutions in the world. In 2003 these two organizations integrated to become British Columbia's combined provincial museum and archives, collecting artifacts, documents and specimens of BC's natural and human history, safeguarding them for the future, and sharing them with the world. Through research and education, we strive to bro

aden understanding about our province and inspire curiosity and wonder. We are passionate about sharing British Columbia's story with the millions of visitors who walk through our doors and explore our web site each year. Our archives, exhibits and galleries change and grow as our understanding grows, and we endeavour to share our knowledge in original and exciting ways. Each exhibit and gallery tells important stories about British Columbia and provides an engaging and thought-provoking window on the province's past, present and future. Our archives provide a treasure trove of information for researchers and genealogists through the stories that are preserved here.

09/02/2026

Tired of swiping? Looking for a different way to meet people?

Slow Burn Dating is back! Join us in the unique setting of Old Town for an evening designed to spark meaningful conversations and genuine connections. Guided by Intimacy Coach and Educator Tanille Geib and therapist Cora Bilsker, Slow Burn Dating offers a low-pressure, inclusive space to meet others through engaging activities and thoughtful conversation.

Whether you're seeking community, friendship, activity partners, casual connections, a long-term relationship, or something in between, this series invites you to slow down and connect.

Inclusive of all identities, relationship structures, abilities, and experiences.

💖 Slow Burn Dating: Non-Monogamy
September 18 | $40 | Limited Pay-What-You-Can tickets available

💖 Slow Burn Dating: Straight Edition
October 23 | $40 | Limited Pay-What-You-Can tickets available

💖 Slow Burn Dating: Q***r Edition
October 29 | $40 | Limited Pay-What-You-Can tickets available

Get tickets > https://rbcm.ca/event-series/slow-burn-dating/

09/01/2026

Discover a story 7,500 years in the making.

Today, Lasqueti Island may seem remote, but its Indigenous name, Xwe'etay, reflects a very different history. Situated in the Gulf of Georgia off the east coast of Vancouver Island, its central location made it a vital hub for trade, travel, and communication among Indigenous peoples throughout the Salish Sea. Rather than being "in the middle of nowhere," it was once in the middle of everything.

Island in the Middle of Everywhere explores the rich Indigenous history of Xwe'etay and the deep relationships between Coast Salish peoples, foodways, and place. Through archaeology, Indigenous knowledge, and community collaboration, the exhibition challenges colonial myths and reveals a vibrant history that has always been here.

Island in the Middle of Everywhere is on now on the second floor of the Royal BC Museum. Admission is included with Museum admission or membership.

This exhibit was developed in partnership with Xwe’etay/Lasqqueti Archaeology Project, Simon Fraser University and Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

08/28/2026

There are only a few days left in August to join one of our Visitor Experience team members for a fascinating journey into the ancient Egyptian afterlife!

Step into Ancient Egypt: Obsessed with Life and uncover the beliefs, rituals, and traditions that shaped an enduring vision of eternity. From mummies and monumental tombs to stories of family, friendship, and love, discover how a civilization obsessed with life transformed immortality into an art form.

Meet just outside the Ancient Egypt: Obsessed with Life exhibition entrance at the start time of the tour.

Free with admission or membership.
Maximum 10 participants per tour.

08/26/2026

Last chance for a summer visit!

If you haven't had a chance to peek inside Helmcken House yet, there's still time. Open daily from 12 PM to 2 PM until August 31, this remarkable 1852 home offers a rare glimpse into life in nineteenth-century Victoria. Built for Dr. John Sebastian Helmcken, one of the colony's most influential physicians and political figures, the house is one of the oldest surviving homes in British Columbia still standing on its original site.

Located on the east side of the Royal BC Museum, just behind Thunderbird Park.

08/25/2026

Special Event: The Art of Adventure

Two friends, one Land Rover, and an epic journey around the world that would shape two extraordinary lives.

Join us on Tuesday, September 22 at 7:15 PM for a special screening of The Art of Adventure, the story of Robert Bateman and Bristol Foster's 1957 global expedition and the lifelong passion for nature, conservation and storytelling that followed.

Following the film, stay for a moderated Q&A featuring Robert Bateman, Dr. Bristol Foster, former CEO of the Royal BC Museum and a 2026 recipient of the Order of British Columbia, and director Alison Reid, moderated by John Bateman. Dr. Foster's contributions to environmental stewardship, conservation and public education have had a lasting impact in British Columbia and beyond.

📍 IMAX® Victoria at the Royal BC Museum
📆 Tuesday, September 22 | 7:15 PM

Get tickets > https://sales.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/Selection.aspx?item=12778&sch=665194

08/21/2026

Join youth and community ambassadors James (Ma̱lidi), who is Kwakwaka’wakw, and Kingston (Wax̱ana’x̱a̱las), who is of Kwakwaka’wakw and W̱SÁNEĆ heritage, for a cultural sharing experience in the Jonathan Hunt House.

Through songs, stories, and conversation, visitors are invited to learn about local Indigenous cultures and traditions shared by the youth.

📍 Jonathan Hunt House, Third Floor, Royal BC Museum
🕚 11 AM to 4 PM
📅 August 21, 25, 27 & 28
🎟️Included with admission or membership.

Drop in and connect through culture, storytelling, and community.

Learn more > https://rbcm.ca/event/cultural-sharing/ -dates

08/20/2026

Step into the world of pharaohs, pyramids, and eternal life. ✨

Discover over 250 ancient treasures, immersive experiences, and the fascinating beliefs that shaped one of history's greatest civilizations.

Ancient Egypt: Obsessed with Life is on now at the Royal BC Museum.

🎟️ Admission is free for youth aged 17 and under and 50% off for young adults aged 18-24 through September 7 as part of the Canada Strong Pass program.

Plan your visit today and experience one of the world's most captivating civilizations.

08/14/2026

Ancient Egyptians had a guidebook for the afterlife. But where did it come from?

Most people have heard of the famous Book of the Dead, but its origins stretch back thousands of years. Join archaeologist Lisa Marie Wolff as she explores the evolution of ancient Egyptian funerary texts, from the earliest spells inscribed inside pyramids to the sacred writings that helped guide the dead through the afterlife.

Discover how beliefs about death, the afterlife, and the power of the written word changed over time, and gain new insight into one of the ancient world's most enduring traditions.

Participants will also have the opportunity to explore Ancient Egypt: Obsessed with Life.

Limited tickets available. Reserve yours now > https://bc.pulse.ly/cv18c68c36

08/10/2026

A century ago, sea otters had disappeared from BC's coast.

Prized for their exceptionally dense fur, sea otters were hunted extensively during the maritime fur trade, reshaping coastal economies and cultures while pushing the species to the brink. By the early 1900s, they were gone from British Columbia's waters.

Then, in 1969, sea otters returned. A small group relocated from Alaska to Vancouver Island became the foundation of a remarkable recovery story. Today, sea otters once again float, forage, and raise their pups along parts of the BC coast, helping to restore the kelp forest ecosystems they have shaped for millennia.

Learn more about the lives of this fascinating species in Sea Otters: A Wild Family Adventure, filmed off the west coast of Vancouver Island and now playing at IMAX® Victoria.

Image credits: BC Archives, I-07159 and I-07160, Releasing Sea Otters, Bunsby Island, Special Services Branch, 1969.

Address

675 Belleville Street
Victoria, BC
V8W9W2

Website

http://www.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/

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