4 minute read
STEVESTON TRAM MUSEUM
The Steveston Tram Museum is a wonderful place to take a trip back to the past at any time of the year, but the holiday season offers additional incentives to pay a visit and climb aboard the tram car.
The museum showcases Tram Car 1220, one of the original trams that ran on Richmond’s Interurban rail system. Today, the immaculately restored tram car and the building that houses it allow visitors to experience authentic Interurban rail travel and learn about early 20th-century transportation.
The building’s design reflects a blend of heritage influence and modern necessity. The gable roof form and wood exterior cladding are reminiscent of the original Steveston Station, which once stood almost on the same footprint as the museum. The building is temperature and humidity-controlled to house Richmond’s largest artifact, Tram Car 1220, and to be as accessible as possible. The museum is built around the original tracks upon which the Interurban trams of the BC Electric Railway once ran.
Historically, trams bridged the gap between the age of the horse and the car. They were a fast, reliable, regular, and affordable way of getting to places where people wanted to go. Steveston was the most developed area on Lulu Island when the trams started operating. Over time, the rail line acted as a backbone for the body of the Richmond community to build out from.
Visitors enjoy exploring the exhibits representing the life of tram commuters and Richmond residents in the early to mid-1900s.
While exploring the tram, you will hear the original sounds of Tram Cars 1220 and 1222 as they zipped along the streets of Richmond. Take a seat and enjoy the passing sounds of chugging wheels, air horn blasts, and the motor whine of the car as you imagine the ride along the Lulu Island Line to Steveston.
Hearing stories from people who rode the trams is always a highlight for Tram staff.
Museum Coordinator Gabrielle Sharp says, “A visitor told us he was four years old when his mother would put him on the tram by himself! The kind conductor would look after him and make sure he got off at the correct stop. Can you imagine doing that these days on the Canada Line?”
She adds, “Other visitors have told us about their memories of riding the trams as children and how the woven rattan seats were very prickly on the back of their bare legs!”
The Winter Tram events are not to be missed.
On December 1 at 4:30 p.m., gather in the public plaza in front of the Steveston Tram for a holiday tree lighting event to kick off Steveston’s Winter in the Village.
Local creator Peter Grant’s beautifully detailed heritage buildings constructed from LEGO will be featured in the museum’s front window.
A special holiday scavenger hunt and a daily search for the museum’s toy pig, Hamm, will be offered throughout December. A cozy reading corner is also stocked with transportation-themed books in multiple languages.
Photo ops abound! Children are invited to try on the blue conductor hats and jackets and pose in front of the Steveston Tram Car 1220.
Librarians from the Steveston Branch of the Richmond Public Library will read the magical classic The Polar Express onboard the tram car. This year’s dates are Saturday, December 7, and Sunday, December 15. Storytime will take place at set times in the afternoon. Visit the Steveston Tram’s website, stevestontram.ca, for details on how to secure a spot.
This holiday season, explore the festively decorated Steveston Tram. The brightly lit exterior is a beautiful spot for photos and seeing the tram dressed up in holiday finery.
For more information about Steveston Tram and to keep up to date with their year-round programs and events, visit stevestontram.ca
Steveston Tram Museum 4011 Moncton Street Richmond, BC V7E 3A8 Phone 604-238-8081 www.stevestonheritage.ca
Story by Sarah Gordon (Nov 2024) @PALLAMEDIA
