Main Victoria Heritage Attractions

Victoria Incentive
Programs for
Heritage Buildings

Museums

MAIN HERITAGE ATTRACTIONS

This listing updated 7 July 2022
Please contact organization for current 2022 information

ART GALLERY OF GREATER VICTORIA
1040 Moss Street
250-384-4171
www://aggv.ca
email: info@aggv.ca

www://facebook.com/artgalleryvictoria
www://twitter.com/artgalleryvic
www.instagram.com/artgalleryvic/

Closed on Mondays
Tuesday - Saturday 10 am - 5 pm; Thursday 1 pm - 9 pm;
Sunday & Holidays: 12 pm -5 pm.

Adults: $13; Senior (65+): $11; Student (18+ with ID): $11; Children (6-17): $2.50; Children (5 and under): free. Family (2 adults & children): $28; Admission is by donation the first Tuesday of each month.

Open Tuesday through Sunday in the historic neighbourhood of Rockland and just a short walk from downtown, the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria is home to B.C.'s largest public art collection. With over 24,000 objects, the AGGV Collection represents significant works produced in this region and art that represents our histories. Since its founding the AGGV has been assembling work from around the Pacific Rim and has established one of the finest collections of Asian art in the world, including an original Japanese Shinto Shrine located outside in the Asian Garden. Exhibitions range from Asian, to historical and Canadian art, featuring work by Emily Carr, to engaging contemporary shows. The Gallery Shop features an impressive array of art, pottery, jewelry, books and much more from local artists and artisans. The AGGV also offers a wide-range of programming themed around current exhibitions and projects, including virtual programs for those who would prefer to stay at home. Visit the AGGV's website for details, or follow AGGV activities on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

This listing updated 4 July 2023
Please contact organization for current 2023 information

CARR HOUSE
207 Government Street
250-383-5843
www.carrhouse.ca
email: carrhouse@telus.net

This beautifully restored provincial and national historic site in Victoria, BC, was the birthplace of famed writer and artist, Emily Carr. Today, Carr House is owned by the province of BC and operated by the Carr House Community Society, a non-profit society dedicated to celebrating Emily Carr's life and work by offering encouragement and space for community creativity and innovation. Carr House offers guided tours inside the house throughout the year, and an updated tour schedule can be found on our website. Admission is by donation, and we suggest $5 per person.

Carr House is also a centre for the creative community, and hosts a variety of artistic events from art shows to theatrical performances. For a full calendar for information on special events like lectures, workshops, and performances, visit our website at www.carrhouse.ca; Contact: carrhouse@telus.net or (250) 383-5843.

This listing updated 11 July 2022
Please contact organization for current 2022 information

CRAIGDARROCH CASTLE HISTORIC HOUSE MUSEUM
1050 Joan Crescent
250-592-5323
thecastle.ca
email: info@thecastle.ca

Open for self-guided tours. Please check our website for days and times.

Adult: $20.60; Senior: $19.60; Students (13+ with Valid ID): $14.80;
Children (6-12): $10.00; 5 and under: no charge.

Tickets can be purchased in our Visitor Centre upon arrival at the Castle. Please check our website for tour details.

Built by coal baron Robert Dunsmuir during the reign of Queen Victoria and now a National Historic Site, Craigdarroch Castle has been meticulously restored, giving visitors a glimpse of privileged life in the 1890's. The Castle weaves a fascinating tale of an intriguing family - their achievements, their relationships and even their quirks. Self guided tours - 87 stairs (no elevators).

This listing updated 7 July 22
Please contact organization for current 2022 information

FORT RODD HILL AND FISGARD LIGHTHOUSE NATIONAL HISTORIC SITES
603 Fort Rodd Hill Road, Victoria BC V9C 2W8
250-478-5849
www://pc.gc.ca/fortroddhill
email: fortrodd@pc.gc.ca

For hours of operations:
https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/lhn-nhs/bc/fortroddhill/visit/heures-hours

For admission:
https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/lhn-nhs/bc/fortroddhill/visit/tarifs-fees

Come explore Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Sites, located 14 kilometers west of downtown Victoria.

Fort Rodd Hill was built in 1895 and operated until 1956 to protect the Royal Navy base at Esquimalt Harbour. Peek through original gun barrels, venture into intriguing underground magazines, and find camouflaged searchlight emplacements...

Step inside Fisgard Lighthouse, tour the exhibits and marvel at the stories of its keepers who once helped mariners find their way safely home. Fisgard is the oldest lighthouse on the west coast, built in 1860.

Visit our website regularly for up-to-date information on summer programs, events, activities and cultural heritage information.

This listing is for Summer 2020
Please contact organization for current 2021 information

HELMCKEN HOUSE
Royal BC Museum, 675 Belleville Street
250-356-7226 or toll free 1-888-447-7977
www.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/visit/exhibitions/cultural-precinct

Helmcken House was built by Dr. John Sebastian Helmcken, a surgeon with the Hudson's Bay Company, in 1852. It is one of the oldest houses in British Columbia still on its original site. Dr. Helmcken set up house in Victoria when he married the daughter of Governor James Douglas in 1852. He went on to become a statesman and helped negotiate the entry of British Columbia into Canada, as a province. The good doctor's original 19th century medical kit is among the interesting items on display.

Helmcken House is open 12 - 4pm during the summer and from 12-4pm during the winter break.

This listing updated 11 July 2022
Please contact organization for current 2022 information

POINT ELLICE HOUSE MUSEUM & GARDENS
2616 Pleasant Street, Victoria
250-380-6506
www.PointElliceHouse.com/
email: Info@PointElliceHouse.com

Imagine a house full of everything you, your siblings, your parents, and your grandparents ever owned. What could this building and these objects tell you about your family, your life, or your community?

In 1975, John and Inez O'Reilly sold their family home, Point Ellice House, to the Province of British Columbia. Taking only a few personal items, they turned the house over, complete with 108 years of family possessions: Furniture, dishes, luggage, letters, pictures, paintings, musical instruments, clothing, and a lot more.

Victoria and British Columbia changed rapidly around Point Ellice House. Similar houses and properties were demolished, but Point Ellice House, its contents, and its gardens remain; it still has stories to tell.

Please visit our website for up to date information about COVID protocols, admission rates, upcoming events, site history, and more.

This listing is for Summer 2020
Please contact organization for current 2021 information

MARITIME MUSEUM OF BRITISH COLUMBIA
634 Humboldt Street
Victoria BC
250-385-4222
www.mmbc.bc.ca
email: info@mmbc.bc.ca

Winter Hours (September-May): Tuesday - Sunday 10am - 4pm
Summer Hours (Victoria Day - Labour Day): Daily 10am - 5pm
Admission: Adults - $10, Senior/Student - $8, Youth - $5, Children - Free
Tours: Adults - $15, Senior/Student - $12, Youth - $8, Children - Free
Memberships: Adults - $20, Senior - $18, Family - $30

The Maritime Museum of BC delivers popular tours and educational outreach programs geared to children, adults, and seniors featuring topics such as immigration, pirates and privateers, women at sea, and the fur trade. The Museum cares for more than 35,000 unique artifacts, as well as a large library and archives research collection, which is available for public access.

This listing is for Summer 2020
Please contact organization for current 2021 information

ROYAL BC MUSEUM & ARCHIVES
675 Belleville Street
250-356-7226 or toll free 1-888-447-7977
www.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca

Hours:
Open daily from 10am to 5pm. Open until 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays from mid-May until early October. Closed Christmas Day and New Year's Day. BC Archives open Monday to Friday from 10am to 4pm (Serviced), 4pm to 8pm (unserviced).

Admission:
May 18-December 31, 2018
$26.95 Adult, $18.95 Senior/Student, $16.95 Youth;
Child (3-5) - Free.

Jan 1-May 16, 2019 per person and tax included:
$26.95 Adult, $18.95 Senior/Student, $16.95 Youth;
Child (3-5) - Free.

May 17-December 31, 2019 per person and tax included:
$23.95 Adult, $16.95 Senior/Student, $15.95 Youth;
Child (3-5) - Free.

Admission and hours subject to change during special events www.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/tickets/

See all of British Columbia at the Royal BC Museum, a world-class museum of natural and human history. Explore our core galleries and immerse yourself in tales of where we've been and where we are going. Discover things and people you never knew before at what TripAdvisor users have five times voted the number one museum in Canada. Marvel at the totems, masks and cultural treasurers featured in the world-class First Peoples Gallery. Experience authentic artifacts and highly realistic settings - from the Woolly Mammoth in his rocky, icy world to a tar-scented trip on the HMS Discovery.

Your experience doesn't end with our galleries. You can see sites like Helmcken House, St. Ann's Schoolhouse, the Netherlands Centennial Carillon and Thunderbird Park. Our precinct also includes a year-round food truck festival and Dequoia coffee bar. Come explore the Royal BC Museum. Located on Victoria's Inner Harbour, we are within walking distance of downtown hotels and restaurants.

This listing is for Summer 2020
Please contact organization for current 2021 information

ST. ANN'S ACADEMY NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE
2nd Floor 835 Humboldt Street,
250-953-8829
www.stannsacademy.com
email: stanns.academy@gov.bc.ca

Hours of Operation:
Summer hours: 2020 Please contact the site for public visiting hours.
Winter hours: Labour day to mid May Thursday to Sunday 1 to 4 pm
Admission by donation.

Built as a school and convent by the Sisters of St. Ann between 1871 and 1910, this nationally designated and provincially owned historic site also features Victoria's first Catholic cathedral, built in 1858 and annexed to the school in 1886 to serve as the school's chapel. The building was renovated extensively between 1995 and 1997 and now features historic interiors around the beautifully restored chapel which are open for public viewing, as well as private renovated office space. The site also features 6.5 acres of restored park lands which are open to the public year round from dawn to dusk. Outdoor bilingual interpretive signs now installed throughout the grounds are also available year-round from dawn to dusk. St. Ann's Academy National Historic Site is operated by Ministry of Citizen's Services.

This listing is for Summer 2020
Please contact organization for current 2021 information

ST. ANN'S SCHOOLHOUSE
Royal BC Museum, 675 Belleville Street
250-356-7226 or toll free 1-888-447-7977
www.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/visit/exhibitions/cultural-precinct

St Ann's Schoolhouse may be the oldest building still standing in Victoria. Built by Jacques Lequechier in 1844 and constructed in the Hudson Bay Company Red River style, it was purchased by Roman Catholic Bishop Demers in 1853 for use as a residence and a schoolhouse. In 1858, when four Sisters of St. Ann returned with Bishop Demers from Quebec, it was in this building that they lived and held their first school cleasses. The Sisters gave the school to the Museum in 1974 when it was moved to its present location behind Helmcken House on Elliott Square.