Qualicum Beach Museum
The Qualicum Beach Museum is a community run museum, featuring a world class paleontology collection and exhibit, as well as stories and archival photographs about the history of Qualicum Beach.
About Qualicum Beach Museum
What began in 1982 as a passion project between Elizabeth Little and a small circle of friends has grown into one of Vancouver Island's most beloved community institutions. The Qualicum Beach Museum found its first home in a modest power generating station before dedicated volunteers came together to build the larger space it occupies today. Formally incorporated under the Society Act of British Columbia on March 29, 1984, the Qualicum Beach Historical and Museum Society has stayed true to its founding mission ever since.
The Society is committed to collecting, preserving, researching, interpreting, and displaying the natural and social history of Qualicum Beach. Through its exhibits and programs, visitors encounter the enduring culture and resilience of the Qualicum First Nation, trace the growth of a town shaped by logging, fishing and tourism, and experience one of the finest paleontological collections in Western Canada.
Location
587 Beach Road, Qualicum Beach, BC
Hours
Summer Hours (June-September) | Tuesday-Saturday | 10am-4pm
Winter Hours (October-May) | Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday | 1-4pm
Admission
Suggested donation is $5 for adults and $2 for children.
Qualicum Beach Museum Exhibits
Qualicum Beach Museum is home to indoor, outdoor, and digital exhibits, as well as The Archives which can be visited by appointment.
Qualicum First Nations History
Explore the story of the Pentl’ach peoples who inhabited this area, told through artifacts and historical research conducted by a Master's student from the Qualicum First Nation.
Social History
Upstairs, you will find exhibits on fishing, logging, the Qualicum Beach Train station, the Qualicum Beach Hotel, and more painting a picture of what life in Qualicum Beach once looked like.
Natural History
Discover Qualicum Beach's past through fossils and other remains preserved in the Earth's crust at the museum’s Palaeontology Exhibit, curated by internationally recognized fossil collector Graham Beard, who has spent over 45 years exploring Vancouver Island's rich fossil beds and assembled a collection of more than 20,000 pieces. Highlights include "Rosie" the Walrus, early reptiles, ancient plants and fish, and specimens found nowhere else on public display, including the Cretaceous flower fossils from the Nanaimo area and the first trilobites discovered on Vancouver Island.
Oral History
The museum has produced two short documentaries drawn from recorded oral histories, featuring interviews with descendants of local pioneers and a wealth of stories and shared memories. The films can be screened on-site by appointment or watched on the museum's website.
Outdoor Displays
Just outside the museum stands a statue of Giuseppe Roat, carved by local artist François Mongeau. Known to many as "The Hermit," Roat was born in the Tyrolean Alps in 1882 and arrived in Qualicum Beach in 1918, where he purchased 44 acres and hand-built a lodge he would eventually open to the public as a museum of curiosities collected throughout his travels. The grounds also feature artifacts, murals, wildflowers, and a totem pole by Simon Charlie, a master carver of the Cowichan tribe of the Coast Salish Nation.
Temporary Exhibits
The Qualicum Beach Museum also features temporary exhibits. Past exhibits have included Vintage Toys, Fighting In Flanders, Brant Goose Decoys, and Pretty (Old) Things. To see what is on display now, click here.
Visualizing History
This digital exhibit, available on the Qualicum Beach Museum website, explores the history of Qualicum Beach's buildings and points of interest through side-by-side images showing how the buildings looked in the past and how they appear today. Featured landmarks include the Village Theatre, home of the ECHO Players.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the Qualicum Beach Museum suitable for?
The museum is a great destination for history buffs, families, and fossil enthusiasts. With a mix of local heritage and world-class paleontology, there is something engaging for visitors of all ages.
Where can I learn more about the Qualicum Beach Museum palaeontology collection?
The museum's website includes detailed information about the collection, along with a link to the Virtual Museum of Canada exhibit "Paleontology on Vancouver Island," featuring images and videos with even more to explore.
Does the Qualicum Beach Museum have a gift shop?
Yes, the museum features a charming gift shop stocked with unique items and thoughtful gifts, including First Nations-themed pieces, creations from local artisans, books about Qualicum Beach and Vancouver Island, and the museum's own oral history DVD. All proceeds go directly to supporting the museum.
Are there volunteer opportunities at Qualicum Beach Museum?
Volunteers are a vital part of what makes the museum thrive. Opportunities are available across many areas, including school programs, fundraising and special events, front desk, accessioning, publicity, exhibitions, archives, committee work, accounting, grant writing, and the museum newsletter. Sign up to volunteer or donate today.
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