Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site — Attraction in Richmond

A beautiful restoration of a once thriving combination of cannery and shipbuilding that employed what we would call today a diverse ethnic labor base made up of Asians, Europeans, Canadian First Nation and locals. In addition to the workshops, everyone lived at the site in stilt buildings over the water and living conditions are preserved by several examples such as the manager's house, men's bunkhouse, and Chinese dormitory. Buildings date from the late 1880's. Constructed and used as a cannery, Britannia's use changed to boat repair in 1918. Labor changed from fishing skill to machinists, shipwrights, welders, and carpenters. Work was mostly repair of fishing vessels over the winter months but other shops sprung up such as fishing net repair. There is a boatbuilding history as well with the Murakami Boatworks started in 1929. Established by Japanese it built 2 boats each winter and the employees fished in the summer. It is free to enter and well worth the trip. If you go, give it the time it is due to see and understand the history. There is an active boat repair going on with the Britannia Shipyard Heritage Society and you are welcome to watch what they do. Can be especially and historically informative for older...

Very cool to know about the shipyards. I didn't know about how racial the housing was. I also didnt know about the race bosses. Woo what a time to live in. It is windy being close to the river. It's hard to think that people lived this way. But it worked. On special occasions they use the boat pulling. I had a great time and the volunteers did a great job. There are houses for the people that worked there. Inside there are some listening spots. Some of them you need to hold down the button for them to work. There are lots of things to read so take your time. I highly suggest the next loft as it doesn't look like any thing from the outside but there is so much to do on the inside. There is a huge space do events and weddings. How to make a steering wheel for a boat. Everything was amazing recommend...

This park will always hold a special place in my heart. Hosted our wedding here: Chinese tea ceremony in Murakami boatworks building, ceremony on the docks and reception in the Loft. Everything wheelchair accessible. It is gorgeous. Our guests spent the day enjoying the park and it's historical displays. We were allowed to set up lawn games outside. Staff was very considerate and accommodating. Clean public bathrooms! There was also public outdoor piano and someone played a couple melodies. Large, free parking lot. Steveston is a stone throw away; in other words there is so much to do walking distance that people can easily spend a whole day exploring. This is a hidden gem and I highly recommend it for a wedding/event. It is quaint and not overly crowded so also lovely for a little date or...