Gulf of Georgia Cannery: Difference between revisions
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Experience the stories of this place and its people, whose everyday lives helped build Canada. Their tales are told through interactive exhibits, film, and tours. |
Experience the stories of this place and its people, whose everyday lives helped build Canada. Their tales are told through interactive exhibits, film, and tours. |
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==General Information== |
==General Information and History== |
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At the turn of the 20th centure, Steveston was dominated by over a dozen canneries doing business processing the [[salmon]] returning to spawn up the [[Fraser River]]. Built in 1894, the Gulf of Georgia Cannery was the largest cannery in British Columbia until 1902. It was known as the "Monster Cannery" - packing more than 2.5 million cans of salmon in 1897! It ceased canning during the 1930's but remained active as a net loft and fish depot. [[World War Two]] revived the Gulf of Georgia Cannery as a herring cannery and reduction plant. After the war the Cannery continues operations as a herring [[reduction plant]], producing tonnes of [[fish oil]] and [[fish meal]]. The herring reduction plant closed in 1979. The Cannery continued to be used as a [[net-storage]] facility while the long-term fate of this near-century old building was determined.<br /> |
At the turn of the 20th centure, Steveston was dominated by over a dozen canneries doing business processing the [[salmon]] returning to spawn up the [[Fraser River]]. Built in 1894, the Gulf of Georgia Cannery was the largest cannery in British Columbia until 1902. It was known as the "Monster Cannery" - packing more than 2.5 million cans of salmon in 1897! It ceased canning during the 1930's but remained active as a net loft and fish depot. [[World War Two]] revived the Gulf of Georgia Cannery as a herring cannery and reduction plant. After the war the Cannery continues operations as a herring [[reduction plant]], producing tonnes of [[fish oil]] and [[fish meal]]. The herring reduction plant closed in 1979. The Cannery continued to be used as a [[net-storage]] facility while the long-term fate of this near-century old building was determined.<br /> |
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===Creation of the National Historic Site=== |
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During the 1970s and early 1980s the local community lobbied various levels of government to save the Cannery. In 1979 the [[Federal government]] purchased the property and in 1984 it was transferred to [[Parks Canada]]. The building was first open to the public in 1994 in celebration of the centennial of the building.<br /> |
During the 1970s and early 1980s the local community lobbied various levels of government to save the Cannery. In 1979 the [[Federal government]] purchased the property and in 1984 it was transferred to [[Parks Canada]]. The building was first open to the public in 1994 in celebration of the centennial of the building.<br /> |
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===Current Operations=== |
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One of BC's few historically intact canneries, the Gulf of Georgia Cannery commemorates the development of Canada's [[West Coast fishing industry]] from the 1870s to the present. Throughout its history, West Coast fishing has helped fuel the economy and enrich the social fabric of B.C. This vibrant heritage is justly celebrated in Steveston, which was, and remains, an important centre of the West Coast fishing industry.<br /> |
One of BC's few historically intact canneries, the Gulf of Georgia Cannery commemorates the development of Canada's [[West Coast fishing industry]] from the 1870s to the present. Throughout its history, West Coast fishing has helped fuel the economy and enrich the social fabric of B.C. This vibrant heritage is justly celebrated in Steveston, which was, and remains, an important centre of the West Coast fishing industry.<br /> |
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Revision as of 22:19, 3 July 2007
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The Gulf of Georgia Cannery is a National Historic Site of Canada located in Steveston, British Columbia.
Built in 1894, the Cannery echoes the days when it was the leading producer of canned salmon in B.C. Today it is a dynamic fishing museum offering visitors an entertaining West Coast experience! The Cannery is located in the historic fishing village of Steveston, which is full of tempting shops and restaurants.
Experience the stories of this place and its people, whose everyday lives helped build Canada. Their tales are told through interactive exhibits, film, and tours.
General Information and History
At the turn of the 20th centure, Steveston was dominated by over a dozen canneries doing business processing the salmon returning to spawn up the Fraser River. Built in 1894, the Gulf of Georgia Cannery was the largest cannery in British Columbia until 1902. It was known as the "Monster Cannery" - packing more than 2.5 million cans of salmon in 1897! It ceased canning during the 1930's but remained active as a net loft and fish depot. World War Two revived the Gulf of Georgia Cannery as a herring cannery and reduction plant. After the war the Cannery continues operations as a herring reduction plant, producing tonnes of fish oil and fish meal. The herring reduction plant closed in 1979. The Cannery continued to be used as a net-storage facility while the long-term fate of this near-century old building was determined.
Creation of the National Historic Site
During the 1970s and early 1980s the local community lobbied various levels of government to save the Cannery. In 1979 the Federal government purchased the property and in 1984 it was transferred to Parks Canada. The building was first open to the public in 1994 in celebration of the centennial of the building.
Current Operations
One of BC's few historically intact canneries, the Gulf of Georgia Cannery commemorates the development of Canada's West Coast fishing industry from the 1870s to the present. Throughout its history, West Coast fishing has helped fuel the economy and enrich the social fabric of B.C. This vibrant heritage is justly celebrated in Steveston, which was, and remains, an important centre of the West Coast fishing industry.
The Gulf of Georgia Cannery is not a National Historic Site, owned by Parks Canada and operated by the Gulf of Georgia Cannery Society.
Chronology of the Cannery
1894 - Construction of the original L-shaped building; one manual canning line.
1897 - East Wing built to provide additional packing and seasonal living area. Two additional canning lines added.
1906 - Arrival of the mechanical butchering machin; West wing (butchering shed) converted to net loft/storage. East wing shortened by 50 feet in 1906 due to new dyke and railway tracks along the waterfront.
1932 - Remains of the West wing demolished by a windstorm.
1940 - Roofline raised to accomodate additional boiler (boiler house).
1943 - Ice house built (in order to store fish for a longer amount of time).
1940-48 - Various structural modifications and additions related to the herring reduction process: Vitamin oil shed and dryer shed.
1956 - East wing of original building raised to accomodate evaporator. Separator room constructed next to evaporator room.
1964 - Addition of grinding and bagging room off drying shed.
1979 - Gulf of Georgia reduction plant closed, building is used as a net loft.
1994 - Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Histoic Site of Canada opens to the public.
Current Tourism Opportunities
Guided tours begin every hour on the hour between 10am and 4pm. A film is shown at 40 minutes after the hour.
The guides are extremely knowledgeable, helpful, and ridiculously good-looking.
External links
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