Located in Victoria, the Royal British Columbia Museum is distinguished by the richness and uniqueness of its collections. The Royal BC Museum, founded in 1886, is a true concentration of the natural and human history of the province of British Columbia of Canada. Three galleries offer permanent exhibitions. The Natural History exhibitions will amaze you by revealing the rich biodiversity of the coastal forest and the marine world. In the Becoming BC exhibition spaces, the history of the industrial revolution is presented, among other things, through the exploitation of coal mines and the evolution of the means of transport. You are invited to embark on a life-size replica of a ship from 1789 whose captain was George Vancouver. The First Peoples Gallery showcases the culture of Canada's First Peoples. Totem Hall adorns monumental sculptures belonging to the Kwakwaka'wakw, Heiltsuk, Nuxalk, Gitxsan, Haida and Nuu-chah-nulth communities. You will have the chance to enter the home of a Kwakwaka'wakw chief who comes from the community of Tsaxis.
Who awarded the royal title to the Royal British Columbia Museum? It was in 1987 that Prince Philip gave the Museum of British Columbia his qualification as Royal. This title was, shortly after, confirmed by Queen Elizabeth II herself.
What is argillite? Argillite is a black shale that was used by the Haida to design art objects. More than 150 argillite objects are on display at the Royal British Columbia Museum, following donations from Francis and Kay Reif.
