Museums & History on the Sunshine Coast

In May of 2002 the two museums that were in Gibsons, BC amalagmated their two collections and formed one museum.  The Sunshine Coast Maritime Museum that was in Molly's Lane and the Elphinstone Pioneer Museum at 716 Winn Road Gibsons amalgamated into the one location at 716 Winn Road under the new name "Sunshine Coast Museum & Archives". 

The Sunshine Coast Museum & Archives, admission by donation, is open 5 days a week, Tuesday to Saturday from 10:30-4:30 year round.  Most of the artifacts and material that are referenced in your articles about the museum are the same but some artifacts have been put in storage or have reduced viewing now, such as the shell collection. 

We have wonderful displays about the life and times of the Sunshine Coast on both wheel chair acessible floors.  Discover the Sunshine Coast's natural connection between land, sea and human experiences through our displays.  From Port Mellon to Egmont we have it all.   

The first floor covers a maritime theme from boat models to full size wooden boats, like local writer Hubert Evans' Georgia Strait hand troller.   Another exhibit called Salt on the Wind features the lives of local boat builders Allen and Sharie Farrell.  They made sturdy wooden sailing ships with only hand tools and used the boats for their home and to travel the local waters and the South Pacific.  The exhibit features photos of their trips, boat building artifacts, tools and some of their art work.  There is also information on a local inventor who created a submersible camera to explore the West Coast, Union Steamship memoribilia and other maritine transportation information is all on the main floor.  

The second floor contains natural history, First Nations and pioneers at work and play exhibits.  There are butterflies, a large mineral collection, beautiful baskets as well as functional logging and agricultural tools.  Several rooms have been furnished with turn of the century furniture and accessories to bring our pioneer's stories to life. For example, relive the early days at the local cannery or school days on the Sunshine Coast through artifacts and photographs. 

The Museum is proud to have the photographic artifacts and photographs of Helen McCall in it's collection .  Helen McCall was a professional photographer who lived on the Sunshine Coast during the 1930's to 1950's.  She supported her family through the sale of post cards, developing photos in her home and by photographing all types of local events for a fee.  Her extensive collection of postcards and photographs creates a unique snapshot of everyday life on the Sunshine Coast during her lifetime.  

Do you remember the TV Series "The Beachcombers"?  See a "Relic" or two from this locally filmed series that was a fixture on CBC for 19 years. 

We also have a resource library, an archival collection of local newspapers and a gift shop.  There is lots to see at the Sunshine Coast Museum & Archives and we look forward to showing visitors our past.  

Our address and contact information are as follows:               

Sunshine Coast Museum & Archives               
P.O. Box 766,               
716 Winn Road, Gibsons, B.C.  V0N 1V0               
604-886-8232               
E-Mail:    scm_a@dccnet.com               
New web site:    www.sunshinecoastmuseum.ca                
Hours of Operation:   
Open year round   
Tuesday to Saturday                                               
10:30 to 4:30                                               
Admission by Donation
Memberships Available

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