What is a Maritime Memory?
Do you live, work, or play on or by the water? Did a special event or moment happen to you harbourside, oceanside, or right on (or in) the waves? Has a story been passed down through the generations about a relative on the west coast? Do you have a story about your first glimpse of the Salish Sea?
A maritime life is not restricted to one career or experience: your maritime memory can be a monumental adventure at sea or a small cherished moment, and anything in between.
Memories can be presented in many forms, and the project accepts any file format that can be uploaded onto a website.
You can submit any combination of:
- A written story that will be displayed as text
- A poem, short quote, or recipe
- A photo or photo series that recalls a memory or displays an important object
- An artwork or performance about a memory
- A video of your memory or referencing the memory
Stories may be lightly copy edited for grammar and style before they are included on the website, print, or social media. The Museum reserves the right not to publish stories at its discretion.
Museum Staff Get in the Spirit
“We know that when people hear the words ‘maritime museum’ images of ships and salty tales dominate,” said Anya Zanko, Events and Development Manager, “but we know from our vibrant community of members, volunteers, Board, and staff that everyone has a maritime memory or connection, no matter what their career or background. For our big 70th birthday party, we only want one gift: your favourite memory that connects you to the coast.”
Associate Director Donna Livingstone, shared her memory of childhood: “I grew up in Scottie Bay, on Lasqueti Island and have carried that view with me everywhere. I can draw it in my sleep. When you spend time on an island – for a weekend, a summer, or a long hard-working life, you become a player in the island’s history. You know where to beachcomb after a heavy storm, you watch the forgiving tide come in and hide the dark rocks and barnacles. The memory of that stays with you like a hook in your cheek and never quite releases.”
Zanko couldn’t resist sharing a whimsical moment right downtown at the MMBC: “I’ll never forget when the Museum moved around the corner in 2021 to our current space at 744 Douglas Street. To carry all the permanent artefacts on display, including very heavy builders’ ship models of Canadian Pacific Railway passenger ships, the easiest course was to put the cases on wheels and convey them to their new home. So, we had our very own parade of ships along Douglas Street, with all the beautiful models ‘sailing’ along the sidewalk.”
How to Share Your Memory
Contact Maritime Museum of BC staff to submit your memory via an online form—all forms of media are accepted and can be uploaded through the form.
You can also contact azanko@mmbc.bc.ca to submit a memory via email, or
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