As part of the Victoria Foundation’s 80th anniversary celebration, many Victoria attractions that normally charge entry fees will be absolutely free and open to the public on Saturday, September 17th.
Even those venues that are typically admission by donation, such as Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary, will have their costs covered for the day.
The Victoria Foundation started in 1936 when Burges Gadsden, a volunteer at a soup kitchen brought to life his vision of a community foundation in BC. Established by an Act of the BC Legislature, the Foundation received its first gift the following year, with Gadsden’s mother, Fannie, donating $20.
Venues with fees waived include:
- Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea
- Maritime Museum of BC
- Boulders Climbing Gym
- CFB Esquimalt Naval & Military Museum
- Abkhazi Garden
- Heritage Acres
- The Robert Bateman Centre
- BC Aviation Museum
- The Gardens at HCP
- Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary
- Wentworth Villa
- Craigdarroch Castle
- UVic Climbing Centre and Fieldhouse
- Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Site
- Emily Carr House
- The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria
- Ross Bay Villa
- Point Ellice House
- Thetis Lake Regional Park (free parking)
- Sooke Potholes Regional Park
- Sooke Region Museum
- Sidney Museum
- Saanich Pioneer Society Log Cabin Museum and Archives
- Metchosin Pioneer Museum and Metchosin School Museum
A pdf file with details and operating hours is HERE
