BRITANNIA SHIPYARDS NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE SOCIETY Story and photos submitted Britannia Shipyards is an authentic representation of a once thriving community of canneries, boatyards, and residences. Many of the buildings date back to 1885 and tell the stories of multi-ethnic residents and workers at the Britannia Cannery and Britannia Shipyards: Chinese, European, First Nations and Japanese. This collection of buildings has national value and was designated a National Historic Site in 1992 by the National Historic Sites and Monuments Board. During site hours, visitors are welcome to tour buildings to discover and explore the fascinating stories of those who worked and lived on this historic waterfront. The Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site Society’s purpose is to preserve and to celebrate the history of the Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site, a living museum, through collaboration with the City of Richmond and the community.
The Society’s role includes assisting with program development, providing a means for community input into capital improvements on the site, managing vessel moorage at the dock, fund raising, site volunteer activities, the preservation of wooden boats, and the promotion of the general knowledge, enjoyment and understanding of the Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site. If you wish to support the role of the Society or become an active participant on some of the working groups or sub committees, please consider becoming a member. Society members or interested individuals can also get involved in many activities on the site such as registering as a volunteer to help out with minor boat maintenance or projects, join in with others who have a passion for tinkering with east-hope engines that propelled many of the fishing boats built on the site, demonstrating some activities that would have taken place when it was a busy shipyard and cannery, be a greeter in the various site buildings, help maintain some of specialty gardens, and assisting at special events such as the Richmond Maritime Festival. For more information on how you can become involved in the Society or to volunteer at the site please check the websites. Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site 5180 Westwater Dr, Richmond, BC V7E 6P3 Telephone 604-238-8050 email britannia@richmond.ca www.richmond.ca/britannia www.britanniashipyard.ca
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StevestonInsider.com
April - May 2022
