St. Roch Revitalization
The Vancouver Maritime Museum is excited to announce a project to revitalize the St. Roch exhibit.
The St. Roch was the first ship to traverse the Northwest Passage from west to east (1940-42), the first to complete the passage in one season (1944) and the first to circumnavigate North America. The exhibit, which includes the dry-docked ship, has had minimal changes since it was opened in 1974 and holds so much nostalgia for so many.
This revitalization will serve to enhance the history and authenticity of the artifact that is the St. Roch and provide more opportunities to engage with the stories that surround its famous journeys through the Northwest Passage.
The Vancouver Maritime Museum is a much-loved local institution. Many Vancouverites remember visiting the iconic oceanside A-frame building, home to the National Historic Site, the St. Roch ship, on school field trips. The museum is a hub of local history, holding countless local stories that make up the rich heritage and cultures of the Pacific Northwest and Arctic.
Project overview
Phases One and Two are fully funded, with contributions from the Government of Canada through Pacific Economic Development Canada and Parks Canada’s National Cost-Sharing Program for Heritage Places. We would also like to thank the Province of British Columbia through the Destination Development Fund, BC Capital Gaming Fund and BC Arts Council.
Fundraising for Phase Three is underway, with more details to be released this fall. Phase Three will be the final piece of the project and is estimated to be completed in 2026.
Excited about this project? Donate today to help!
“Bringing Indigenous perspectives to the foreground and upgrading the exhibit’s presentation to modern standards will be the biggest upgrade to the museum since the St. Roch exhibit opened in 1974. This project will upgrade the stories being told and the technology we are using to tell them.”David Jordan, Executive Director
A revitalized St. Roch exhibit is a key part of the vision for the future of the VMM.
The renewed exhibit will centre Indigenous experiences aboard the St. Roch and use immersive elements such as installations, projections and sound to share stories with visitors.
The project is being designed in consultation with internationally acclaimed, Vancouver-based design firm Aldrich Pears and Inuit consultants Maarta Kyak and Deborah Kigjugalik Webster.
“The story of the St. Roch and the crew, including Inuit and their stories, is an intriguing part of Arctic history that needs to be told more fully. After months of the team working on this interpretive plan and schematic design, it was presented to us. I was so moved to tears. It really touched my heart to realize that visitors will soon be able to learn the full story of the St. Roch through an Inuit lens. I’m very happy that the Vancouver Maritime Museum is moving forward. In this time of reconciliation, it’s very important to share all of our history, and in a way that was not done before. So, by including people like Maarta, myself and other experts from the North to give our perspective and let that be part of the story, that was outstanding.”Deborah Kigjugalik Webster, Inuit consultant
About our consultants
MARTHA KYAK
Martha Kyak is a seasoned educator with extensive experience in Nunavut education. Since joining Nunavut Sivuniksavut College in 2010, she has made significant contributions, including teaching Inuit History and Inuktitut. Her diverse background includes roles as a classroom teacher, Principal of Ulaajuk School in Pond Inlet, Superintendent of Schools at Qikiqtani School Operations, and Manager of the Teaching and Learning Centre. Martha earned her Bachelor of Education from McGill University and currently serves as the Executive Director of Nunavut Sivuniksavut.
DEBORAH KIGJUGALIK WEBSTER
Deborah Kigjugalik Webster is a researcher (RCMP Inuit Special Constables), author and guest lecturer. Highlights of her career include being a former Curator of Heritage Collections, Government of Nunavut, Advisor to the Diefenbunker Museum. She has held numerous board positions, her most rewarding being President of the Inuit Heritage Trust in Nunavut for eight years.
About our partners
ALDRICHPEARS ASSOCIATES
We are Canada’s most experienced firm dedicated to interpretive planning and exhibit design. APA is an internationally recognized, award-winning firm specializing in interpretive planning and exhibit design for museums, science centres, visitor centres, and parks. We support mission-driven organizations that preserve cultural assets, provide educational experiences, encourage community involvement, and honour the environment.
We maintain two studios, one in Vancouver, BC, and the other in Dartmouth, NS. Together, these locations allow us to support projects around the world. We work collaboratively to create extraordinary experiences that inspire people to connect with the world around them.
FUNDERS
We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through Pacific Economic Development Canada, and Parks Canada; and the financial support of the Province of British Columbia through the BC Arts Council, Destination Development Fund, and the BC Capital Gaming Fund.
“PacifiCan is proud to support the revitalization of the St. Roch gallery, transforming it into a vibrant showcase of maritime history and Indigenous stories. This project, led by the Vancouver Maritime Museum, is creating unforgettable arts and cultural experiences for both Vancouverites and visitors from around the world, making our community a great place to live, work and grow businesses.”The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada
FAQs
In 2023, the museum launched a new Strategic Plan to transform the organization through innovation and diversity. A key part of the vision for the future of the Vancouver Maritime Museum is a revitalized St. Roch exhibit.
The St. Roch exhibit has had minimal changes since it was opened in 1974, so it is overdue an update!
We are planning to temporarily close the St. Roch gallery while we install the new exhibit. The exact dates of the closures will be announced later this year.
Phase One, the groundwork of designing and planning the revitalized exhibit, is now completed. Phase Two, installation, is scheduled to begin in 2024 with a proposed opening in fall 2025.
Phase three, content input, will be the final piece of the project and is estimated to be completed in 2026.
The artefact that is the ship will not be altered. The gallery around the ship will be transformed with new audiovisual equipment that will allow visitors to be immersed in the St. Roch’s stories and learn about the details that make this historic voyage special.
The goal is to bring Inuit perspectives to the foreground and upgrade the exhibit’s presentation to modern standards.
Detailed design is still in progress, and we will have more information when that process is complete. The stories will be told through audiovisual elements (projections, video, sound), new text panels, and belongings and artefacts on display.
We are building flexibility into the exhibit design, so that the stories can be added to over time. There are so many stories to be told and it is not possible to include them all in the exhibit alone. The renewed exhibit will focus primarily on the first journey through the Northwest passage east to west, and the first circumnavigation of North America.
For a deep dive, visitors can go to stroch.net
For more information, please contact our Curator ermen dellicarpini ermen@vanmaritime.com
You can donate to the museum through our website and you can specify which project you would like your donation to go towards.
vanmaritime.com/support
For more information, please contact Louise Chapman, Director of Development, louise@vanmaritime.com