New Westminster Museum

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New Westminster Museum and Archives features exhibits about the history, people and development of the City of New Westminster.

Many visitors to BC don't realize that Victoria was not always the capital. In fact, the first capital was New Westminster, named by Queen Victoria after its namesake in London. As such, the city has a rich and interesting history. What better way to discover it than a visit to the New Westminster Museum?

The New Westminster Museum and Archives houses a collection of over 36,000 items and 35,000 photographs and historical records.

The Museums exhibits are actually dispersed over 3 different locations. The main one, located on the 3rd floor of the Anvil Centre on Columbia Street is open daily throughout the year. Irving House, located at 302 Royal Avenue, is open Saturday and Sunday from 12pm to 4pm September through April and Wednesday to Sunday from 12pm to 5pm May through August. The Samson V, located at 880 Quayside Drive, is open from May through October.

The Irving House at 302 Royal Avenue is a remarkable old home built in the 1800s that belonged to Captain William Irving.

The Samson V is the one and only wooden sternwheeler in North America that is still floating and intact. It was the last steam-powered sternwheeler operating in Canada. This historic vessel plied the waters of the Fraser River from 1937 until its retirement in 1980. It was subsequently purchased by the City with the provision it would be preserved as a museum.

Whether you have the opportunity to visit just the Museum, or all 3 locations, you can be sure you will enjoy the time you spent.

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Facts For Your Visit

Fee: By Donation

New Westminster Museum Hours:
Opening hours may differ on holidays

Monday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Address: 777 Columbia St, New Westminster, BC V3M 1B6, Canada

Phone: (604) 527-4640

Official Website: New Westminster Museum

New Westminster Museum Reviews

Rated 4.4 out of 5 Star Rating

5 Star Rating This city in New West has a more legendary history than Vancouver. As the first port, its lacrosse and fire department are equally famous. Here you can also see the history of immigrants' struggles here, how to bring their own culture and take root in this land.
Laurence M - 3 months ago

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5 Star Rating Visit this museum. It's very interesting, and IT'S FREE!. You will learn about New Westminster history in general, including the indigenous people who inhabited and own this land. There is also an exhibit dedicated to lacrosse history.
Hugo Laci - 5 months ago

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5 Star Rating I went to this museum while I was in Douglas, it’s next to the Anvil centre. One of the best places to visit in New Westminster. If you are interested in the New West history, New Westminster museum should be one of your choices. It was quite on Wednesday.
Parsa Samandi - 5 months ago

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5 Star Rating The New Westminster Museum is a place you want to return to. The history of the city from the beginning to the present day is shown. From what is presented you will learn how the city developed and what life was like. Construction achievements and sports victories. Stories about brave firefighters and police officers. Even the door of the local university has been preserved! You can get acquainted with the paintings of local artists whose paintings are exhibited nearby. A wonderful place with free entry and comfortable places to relax.
Свят Мысив - 6 months ago

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4 Star Rating A free museum in the Anvil Centre, if you're already here to see the New Media Gallery or the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame, check it out. The exhibits include memorabilia, artifacts, newspaper reprints and even a 1926 Ford Model T and a New Westminster Police motorcycle. Interesting history of a part of the world that is new to me so it was interesting to learn a microcosm of Canadian history here as New Westminster grew from before its earliest settlement to the city it is today. Of course, no Canadian museum is complete without an acknowledgement of the impact of colonialism and New Westminster's exhibits include statements and context that recognize it. There is a display of First Peoples artifacts and history.
Bruce K. - 11 months ago