The Maritime Museum of British Columbia will be celebrating its 70th anniversary on April 18th and is calling on the public to help them in this endeavour by submitting a special ‘salty story’, or maritime memory.
The 70 Maritime Memories project will then feature the selected memories to be displayed as a virtual museum exhibit on their website.
A maritime memory can take many forms, according to the Maritime Museum of BC. They are looking for anything from family stories, to recipes, to snapshots and short videos or experiences on or by the water that make coastal living unique.
These stories can even be submitted in the form of art, poetry, a song or anything else that can be displayed on their website.
Those hoping to submit have until April 10th to do so.
“We know that when people hear the words ‘maritime museum’ images of ships and salty tales dominate, but we know from our vibrant community of members, volunteers, Board, and staff that everyone has a maritime memory or connection, no matter what their career or background,” said Anya Zanko, Events and Development Manager.
“For our big 70th birthday party, we only want one gift: your favourite memory that connects you to the coast.”
Some of the staff at the Maritime Museum have shared their own stories with the public in an effort to kick things off and get people thinking about their own maritime memories.
“I grew up in Scottie Bay, on Lasqueti Island and have carried that view with me everywhere. I can draw it in my sleep,” said Donna Livingstone, Associate Director of the Maritime Museum of BC.
“When you spend time on an island – for a weekend, a summer, or a long hard-working life, you become a player in the island’s history. You know where to beachcomb after a heavy storm, you watch the forgiving tide come in and hide the dark rocks and barnacles. The memory of that stays with you like a hook in your cheek and never quite releases.”
Events and Development Manager, Zanko, also couldn’t resist sharing a special memory that took place in downtown Victoria, right at the Maritime Museum of BC.
“I’ll never forget when the Museum moved around the corner in 2021 to our current space at 744 Douglas Street,” said Zanko.
“To carry all the permanent artefacts on display, including very heavy builders’ ship models of Canadian Pacific Railway passenger ships, the easiest course was to put the cases on wheels and convey them to their new home. So, we had our very own parade of ships along Douglas Street, with all the beautiful models ‘sailing’ along the sidewalk.”
To submit your own memory to the Maritime Museum of BC, click here.
