Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site

Interesting Parks Canada venue, a historic fishing cannery. The assembly line of machines for canning fish was both intriguing and scary! This must have been a noisy and metallic environment during operations. If we would apply this type of industrial automation innovation to creating other types of finished goods rather than shipping off raw resources to other countries and then buying back their finished goods at a premium, we would be more self sufficient and self reliable. As my father would say, pennywise pound foolish.

Was not sure what to expect but super interesting displays, very helpful staff and worth learning about the history for fisheries and canning in the Richmond area. The whole process is well preserved and displayed with informative signage. Small gift shop and toilets. Plenty of parking in the area.

We visited through the weekend and we had enough time to walk all the facility, great history, great staff and very interesting place.

Really fun for the whole family. The kids had a blast lots of informative information about history of the area. Recommend asking lots of questions and dres warm it's like 10° cooler then outside

Awesome, I really recommend visiting this area special mechanical and electrical engineer

Yoooo! You need to visit this place to appreciate fishing techniques, old machinery and old ways of fish processing technology. This place is very much kid friendly, informative and appealing to look. Even the location is nicely suited near the waters. Totally love it.

Great museum, and very well preserved. The machinery and processes will be very interesting to those of a mechanical mind, and to many others. Thankfully, it no longer smells of fish! Very neat to see the commercial fishing activity still happening all around the museum.

What a great museum! So impressed that upon entering a guide is summoned to give you an introduction and go over the museum layout. Things weren't busy, and we were interested, so Iver kindly stayed with us through about half of the museum giving incredibly interesting insights into the long history of this cannery and the entire industry, racist views and practices in the past, labeling on the canned product designed to be intelligible to non-English-speakers, child labor practices, specifics of the canning process like removing all air before heating to prevent explosions, sign language used to circumvent language barriers - so many historical insights.

Had a great time with my friends in museum! We went for a tour about the people of the cannery. Lucy was a great tour guide. We learned so much about the history of the cannery and the people who worked there. I highly recommend visiting the museum and attending one of the tours. I can't wait to return to go on another tour to learn about the time when it was a herring reduction production plant.

I love industrial machinery and old factory that's refurbished to a modern usage. But I love the most that this old cannery is now a dedicated museum to the history of how much fishery and canning of the fish was done in this particular part of Canada. When you walk in, you will pay for admission and you are free to explore the whole museum or wait for specific tour from a very awesome tour guide name Gary. The two tours I did was the general tour where Gary talked about the history of the fishery and then comes the cannery in this part of British Columbia and then goes in details on the factory line and then the changes from man power to automated machinery power. Because this cannery is built over the water, you can feel the coolness from below and the machines are kept in a mint condition that it will actually still runs (at a 10th of the speed). Gary goes in details about the class system and not holding back what really happened in the history of this area, which is good because we all have the rights to know the truth. One of the thing I love about this museum is that there's a lot of interactive with things to explore for kids and adults a-like. Each tour is approximately about 1 hour and during the machinery tour (where they turn on the canning line to show you how it actually moves), they would actually put a lid on an empty can to give to (usually kids) a souvenir to take home with. I have learned quite a bit from this museum visit and had a great time just being inside as well. For anyone and everyone who's visiting Steveston Village, you have to stop by Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site and take a look, I promise you will not regret it.

We were around the area and decided why not pop by the cannery! This year, it's free admission, so why not. Though, donations are always welcomed! It's quite interesting how this cannery was the largest producer for canned salmon. In the front near the reception desk, there's a machine called the "Iron Chink" - which I recall seeing during my high school days. Interesting fact about this machine - it is a machine that replaced Chinese men who used to butcher the fish. Just the name of the machine makes you think how segregation against the Asian community was strong back then. Walking inside the cannery, you'll see different exhibitions and you can start anywhere. We decided to start at the reduction plant. I found the herring reduction plant quite interesting. Huge machines - it's amazing how they were still in operation 40 years (?) ago! There's also the canning line which is quite interactive as it feels like you're walking in the workers' shoes. In the end of us exploring, there's a big board with tons of factual information to read like differentiating types of salmon. Another fact - I didn't know Geoduck was pronounced "gooey-duck". It is also the largest burrowing clam! A unique historic site and must see if you're in Steveston area.

I found the background provided on the salmon canning tour superb and dearly wished I'd budgeted more time (like about 3 hours) so that I could have taken the herring tour, as well, which occupies the other half of the building. Really makes you think about what goes into something as banal as a can of fish.

Interesting and interactive Museam highlighting the fishing industry, from pacific species, fishing vessel, aboriginal fisheries and, of course, the canning process. Good for adults and kids. Go this year, as it is FREE to enter during Canada's 150th Anniversary of Confederation. There are also coupons in the Entertainment Book for when the free entry offer ends. Go to the Cannery, head to Brittania Brewing for a nice, cold craft beer (try the chai saison) and then walk to the historic shipyard area (further east). Finish the day with fish and chips at Pajos or one of the other fish and chip places. Nice day trip.

If you are in the Steveston area, you should definitely make your way to one of Canada's largest fish canneries! Don't worry, this is now a museum so you don't have to pinch your nose when you walk in. Before closing, Gulf of Georgia Cannery was indeed one of Canada's largest fish canneries when canning fish was profitable. Now it's one of the most well-preserved canneries out there! Although the place has been entirely gutted of its original machinery, you can still find an extensive exhibits with simplified machinery to learn not only of this place's history but also Canada's fishing industry itself. The few volunteers here are also enthusiastic in demonstrating and answering your questions, so don't afraid to interact with them to learn more about this cool cannery museum. This place is excellent for people who loves history or are curious about the industry!

The staff were really friendly and informative. The museum itself was really neat. It was a great experience overall.

This is the second time back since my first time here for a field trip in elementary school. It's interesting how our perception of things change as we grow older. I could relate more to the stories that they shared and relate to the harshness of the conditions in the cannery back then, this time around. We paid for the entrance fee which included a tour of the cannery and salmon tasting. I learned quite a few things about the different types of salmon here. Apart from the tour, there are also interactive little stations where you can watch short video clips and bring up answers to commonly asked questions about the cannery and fish farming. I think this is a great educational and fun place to bring your family and little ones to. After the tour, taking a walk around the fisherman's wharf is a must... And maybe you can sneak in some fish and chips at Pajo's as well.

Yum, cannibalism and toxic heavy metal in your fish! The fun facts you learn when you come visit to this historical site. You might not think that you can spend a few hours here but you certainly can. Not only history buffs will appreciate the information packed into this huge, preserved building that was once an operational part of Canda's canned salmon industry. The entrance fee is only $8.50, a bargain once you realize what a fascinating time you can have in this place. Definitely take the tour, as it's informative and entertaining, and provides you with an easier understanding of the process that goes into canning fish. Do the tour to get your bearings, then roam on your own. I only wish they also had a tour of the herring byproduct reprocessing plant side. Our tour guide, Lisa, made it engrossing and amusing with her zeal, knowledge and friendliness. She explained the machines, each step of the salmon canning process and gave insight into the production, which at that time was quite hazardous, and disgusting smelly. You might never whine about your job again after the tour, as you come to comprehend the hard life the workers had to endure. You will also be grateful you didn't eat canned food at the time, as it wasn't uncommon, with the poor safety standards at the time, for fingers to end up in cans that were soldered with lead. The cannery is also sadly a lesson in the prejudices and racism of the times, as you see how the worst and most dangerous jobs were given to the First Nations people, the Japanese and especially the Chinese. When I went, there was also an exhibit on women's contribution to the war effort. I had a marvelous time learning from the captions and old photos. I was told the museum was the size of three hockey fields, though all the original machinery stuffed into the place can make some areas seem claustrophobic, especially if you go into the area where the by products of herring fishing were converted into oil etc. I do not envy at the preservationist who had to come clean the tanks and the plant out to convert it to a museum. The large gift store is great for gifts, and I lamented the lack of time to browse through the many items. The staff here is really sweet, and many seem like students who are interning or elderly volunteers. This is such an interesting museum for kids and adults that no one should be deterred by the fact that it is located outside downtown. If you don't have a car, take the Canada line to the last stop, Richmond-Brighouse(not Airport!), get on Number 3 road take the 410 to Steveston village. The Cannery, village the Cannery is in, and the parks there, are well worth a full day of your time.

It's a historic site and a museum at the same time. The Gulf of Cannery was built in 1894 and it was the largest cannery in B.C. There's an area where you'll learn about the fishes that were commonly caught when this cannery was running. I really like the fact that they were real life size fishes displayed on the walls. There is another section which shows how salmon were caught, processed, canned and package. All of the canning machines displayed are original from the 1900's. You can actually touch most of the displays and photograph as much as you want in this museum.

The Cannery is a National Historic Park. It was an interesting museum. Despite its proximity to the water and the gorgeous weather, we had the museum to ourselves. We had a private tour of the cannery equipment where we learned about the harvesting and canning of tuna and saw how the machines worked. We had a salmon tasting - pink salmon andsockeye. We had another private tour of the herring distillery where fish meal and fish oil were once produced. All of the staff was incredibly friendly and very helpful.

Cool place to visit if you want to see a little history of the area and how canning and commercial fishing began in this area. They can give you a tour and tasting and the staff is very friendly. I enjoyed the tour being the last group of the day and definitely learned a lot from this old historic building. I was unfortunate to have missed the tasting, as the tours with tasting are only for the mid-day tours. Still a cool process though!

For a museum this one is well done with lots hands on equipment and interactive displays. I usually gauge how well a museum is done by how interested the kids are in checking things out. This one would rate well. Kids stayed almost 2 hours going through the facility, Reading up on the history and process of canning. Who knew?! The museum is built over water so it does get quite chilly in there depending on the outside temperature. Staff are friendly and nice, gift shop is reasonably priced. Nice piece of history lesson during our trip.

My boyfriend and I came to see this place because of Canada's 150 and being able to get in for free this year. We weren't disappointed! A tour had started 15 minutes before we got there so we were going to do a self guided tour but we joined in on the guided tour after all. We were both glad we did since we got so much more out of it and the tour guide was really great with answering our questions. We only had to go back to the beginning where we missed part of the information to look at the displays there. It was very interesting to learn more about the history of my province, and Steveston is such a magical little place to visit as well, so it's a great location. I would recommend checking out the Cannery! But take a guided tour if you can, it's a much more enriching experience.

if you love machinery, you will love this museum. To be honest, despite growing up on the coast where canneries were not uncommon in deserted inlets, I've never been in one. I have to say that I think they've done a good job with this one - learned about the different types of fishing, and saw just how much work goes into producing herring oil that goes into farm food. I love, love, love old buildings, and being able to see the old machines in their "natural habitat' was pretty cool. We had a bonus this time in that Steveston was running the Winter's Farmer's Market out of the Cannery Museum, which meant our entrance was free! I think I would probably pay to get in though, if I was taking someone new to the coast and our fishing industry. Bonus, the Cannery is a short(ish) walk down-river from another set of historical sites on land formerly owned by BC Packers (another cannery company). Highly recommend walking to check out the old buildings there as well!

I used to come here before it was a museum. I love how they kept the characteristic of what a fishing canery was like and the atmosphere of the place is intact. Everything was there except the people who worked there, the sounds of the machinary mechanically whirring overtime and that awefull smell that would stink up the whole town during Canning season. So now, it is alot more enjoyable to visit and reminisce. Less danger, less smell and historical. I love it! My grandmother used to tell us tales when she was younger, back in the days from the mid 30's to the late 70's when she worked as a cannery worker here. The cute Chinese boys working the fish plants and docks and the Japanese fishermen bringing in their catch. There was alot of interesting and cultural history here and I'm glad that this place documents it very well.

Fantastic facility and Staff. Took 20 of my students here August 3 and it was awesome {thanks Marc!}. Kids were 6-12 and they raved about their visit. We've visited many different locations in the past 10 years, none better than this. Highly recommended for any age.

We enjoyed it when visiting BC after our cruise to Alaska. Very interesting and worthwhile.

Really fun! We did the site visit without the tour because we only had 45 min which turned out to be a perfect amount of time. The museum did a great job making the experience entertaining and educational. Definitely a must see if you're in Steveston!