Museum of Vancouver

The Museum of Vancouver (MOV), founded in 1894, is Canada’s largest civic history museum and the city’s oldest cultural institution. Located in Vanier Park since 1968, it shares a building with the H. R. MacMillan Space Centre yet occupies most of the space.

Collections & Exhibitions
MOV holds around 80,000 objects—90% of which are digitally documented—including extensive ethnographic, Indigenous, Asian, Egyptian and local artefacts. Permanent galleries chronicle Vancouver’s past: from c̓əsnaʔəm Indigenous history and early settlement, through neon sign heritage, to transformative decades like the ‘60s and ‘70s. Recent focus includes “The Work of Repair: Redress and Repatriation,” emphasizing restitution and reconciliation.

Programming & Community Engagement
Exhibits are complemented by educational initiatives for schools, youth, and adults, as well as community‑dialogue events. MOV adopts reconciliation through policies and exhibitions co-developed with Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil‑Waututh partners.

Facilities & Accessibility
Open daily (shorter hours Tuesdays & Wednesdays), MOV offers wheelchair access, accessible washrooms, parking, and a low‑sensory day each month. Admission ranges CAD 18–23 for adults, with free and discounted rates for youths, children, Indigenous visitors, and occasional “Pay What You Can” Sundays.

Visitor Experience & Location
Situated at 1100 Chestnut St in Vanier Park, MOV is adjacent to the Maritime Museum, space centre, and park green space, accessible by transit, ferry, or car. The shared entrance with the space centre adds convenience for combined visits.

Assessment
MOV offers a meaningful journey through Vancouver’s layered history. Its commitment to reconciliation, engaging exhibits, and accessibility initiatives make it essential for locals and visitors alike. The institution’s community partnerships and digital collection access stand out. To fully experience MOV, plan around special exhibitions and timed programming as galleries rotate frequently.