About Britannia
Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site
5180 Westwater Drive
Richmond BC, V7E 6P3
Phone: 604-238-8050
Fax: 604-238-8040
Email: britannia@richmond.ca
Summer of Wooden Boats
May - September 2017
In celebration of Canada's 150th birthday, Britannia is presenting a season of unique interactive activities, events, maritime demonstrations, tours and waterside programs from May to September! For program details, please open the schedule link below.
Summer of Wooden Boats Schedule
We also offer a wide variety of programs, events and activities throughout the year at Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site. For additional information, open the page below:
Winter
Oct 1 - April 31: Monday - Sunday 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Summer
May 1 - Sept 30: Monday - Sunday 11:00 am - 6:00 pm
Staff
Site Supervisor: Dee Bowley-Cowan 604-238-8044
Heritage Coordinator: Brooke Lees 604-238-8043
Program Facilitator: Kimberly Baker 604-238-6104
Acting Recreation Leader: Kimberly Baker 604-238-6104
Acting Community Facility Programmer: Julie-Anne Toda 604-238-6107
Visitor Services Associate: Lynsey Li 604-238-8037
Site Information 
Britannia Shipyards is an authentic representation of a once thriving community of canneries, boat yards, residences and stores.
City of Richmond staff and dedicated volunteers work together to preserve and restore the shipyard and surrounding buildings as an active wooden boat centre and waterfront park. Tour the oldest shipyard buildings in British Columbia, and observe ongoing boat restoration projects as you experience a bygone time when fishing and boatbuilding were flourishing industries on the Fraser River.
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 Your Visit...
During open hours, many of the buildings showcase wooden vessels under repair, maritime displays, special events and school programs. View ongoing restoration of historic wooden vessels in the Shipyard and Richmond Boatbuilders, where shipwrights and volunteers are happy to answer your questions.
Walk the historic boardwalk and learn about the history of the site through interpretive storyboard signage or take a complimentary tour of the Shipyards.
Walk through the interactive displays in the Murakami House and Murakami Boatworks that narrate the intriguing family history of Asayo and Otokichi Murakami. Tour four stilt houses and a Chinese bunkhouse that demonstrate living conditions from 1910-1930 with innovative audio and video exhibit displays.
Free Mobile Tours
When the site buildings are closed, visitors who have downloaded the free City of
Richmond app, can take self guided mobile tours of 12 site buildings. If the Locations Services function of your mobile device is turned on, your phone will alert you when you're in the vicinity of a building entryway. The information transmitted to your device is full of stories, photos and films that you can browse at your leisure. These histories are also available through Britannia's 'Points of Interest' tab of the City of Richmond app.
To take 3D interactive tours of some of our exhibit buildings, please see the links on our Programs and Events page.
Volunteer Information
Be active in the community and meet people from all over the world. Be part of history as you tell it and learn the fascinating stories of Britannia and guide visitors around the shipyard. Our volunteers are our heart and soul!
Learn about your amazing local history. Be close to nature on this stunning historic waterfront site. Best of all, take advantage of very special volunteer privileges while having fun and making friends.
To apply online visit https://icanhelp.richmond.ca and use the opportunity search to view volunteer opportunities at Britannia Shipyards. This is the perfect volunteer opportunity for students, as shifts will take place on weekends and you will gain experience in public speaking, customer service and tourism. Contact Julie-Anne at 604-238-8037 or britannia@richmond.ca more information.
Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site Strategic Plan 2014 - 2018
The City has updated the Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site Strategic Plan within the context of and supports the outcomes of 2014 Council Term Goals, the 2022 Parks and Open Space Strategy and 2007 Museum and Heritage Strategy and developed a new mission, vision and six strategic focus areas.
The purpose of the strategic plan is to provide a framework for decision-making in the years ahead and to assist Richmond's rapid growth to make the City's unique historic sites even more valuable to residents and visitors.
The strategy explores Britannia Shipyards' past, current context and future as Britannia continues to contribute to making the City of Richmond the most appealing, livable, and well-managed community in Canada.
Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site Strategic Plan 2014 - 2018
Partners
Britannia Heritage Shipyard Society www.britanniashipyard.ca
Steveston Folk Guild www.stevestonfolk.net
Vancouver Wooden Boat Society http://www.vancouverwoodenboat.com
SS Master Society www.ssmaster.org
