October 06, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Richmond, Historic & Heritage Sites
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Finn Slough is an old fishing village situated along the banks of the
Fraser River in the southern parts of Richmond, British Columbia.
Despite its blighted appearance; Finn Slough has become a popular
tourist destination among artists, photographers, and the curious.
August 30, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Richmond, Historic & Heritage Sites
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It’s 30+ degrees on a sunny Saturday afternoon- what to do? In my case, I headed down to the Steveston Wharf to check out the bustling activity and meet a few of the fishermen that frequent the docks. I’ve done a fair amount of video on Steveston before, and I’ve even mentioned the wharf a couple of times—however, today I wanted to show you in much greater detail what is in my opinion the heart and essence of this quaint little fishing village.
Every weekend the docks absolutely come alive with activity. Why is this? It’s because this is when all of the fishing boats return with their delicious wares on full display for everyone to see and buy. It’s a lot of fun heading down there, regardless of whether you’re buying seafood or not, to see the beehive of activity. There are always shoulder-to-shoulder people strolling the boardwalk, checking out wares on the wharf, relaxing in small waterfront cafes, and eating delicious ice cream everywhere you look. This is the main appeal of the wharf area of Steveston and why so many people come to visit it every weekend.
While I was there I met up with Fisherman Joe and his son Chad. Fisherman Joe is a local fisherman, a regular on the docks, and without question owns one of the busiest stalls on the entire wharf! The pair has been selling fish for about 25 years now and is very well known on the docks! This particular day he was selling halibut and lingcod. I had a chance to talk to him and his son about their lives working out of Steveston. They typically do most of their fishing in the Queen Charlotte Sound and bring back lots of fish every trip, often times sold out before they even reach the harbour. Yes, that’s how popular Fisherman Joes fish is! My parents have bought off of him for years now and we are always notified by telephone before he comes in. I’ve had more than one plate of delicious halibut from Fisherman Joe!
If you’d like to check out Fisherman Joe yourself, their season typically runs from April to September. Their last trip this year will be September 1st!
If you’re a seafood fan, the Steveston wharf has an incredible selection of goods. There are ton of vendors there offering everything from fresh prawns, salmon, halibut, lingcod, to even sea urchins! (and much more… this is just what I saw in my brief time there today!)
The Steveston wharf is a fantastic way to spend an afternoon in Richmond! You’ll meet all sorts of interesting people down there as well as experience a multitude of sights, smells and sounds! Fresh seafood! Yum! Get out there this summer and enjoy it!
June 24, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Richmond, Historic & Heritage Sites
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Hey everyone. Today I visited one of the little jewels tucked away in Steveston that not many people really know about: The London Heritage Farm.
This is a beautiful 4 acre piece of farmland that encapsulates a piece of Richmond’s history from around the 1880-1930’s era. Overlooking the south arm of the Fraser River, the site is comprised of a restored 1880’s farmhouse, several herb and flower gardens, a restored barn, old farming equipment, a small hand tool museum, a lovely pond, gazebo, and a picnic area all in a welcoming park-like atmosphere.
The centrepiece of it all is the restored farmhouse. With six rooms displaying furniture, old pictures, clothing, quilts, and everyday articles of the era you’ll truly get a glimpse into Richmond’s history as well as one of the pioneering farming families from that time. So now you’re wondering, who did live there?
The London Family of course!
“Charles E. London, aged 16, and his brother William, aged 17, arrived in British Columbia in 1879 from Ontario. They purchased 200 acres of land in 1881 for $2,000, erected a small farm house and began clearing and draining the land in preparation for farming. The London Family, loyalists from the American Revolution, went on to be one of Richmond’s most prominent families.” (excerpt from London Heritage Farm pamphlet)
The farm and 4 acres of its original land were purchased in 1978 by the city of Richmond and registered as a heritage site under the BC Heritage Act.
London Heritage Farm is a beautiful spot that’s worth checking out for an afternoon if you’re in the area! The botanical gardens are gorgeous, there are plenty of spots for relaxing, having a picnic, or if you’re there on a weekend, you can enjoy afternoon tea with homemade scones or biscuits! Next time you’re walking along the dyke, stop and check it out! It’s an important part of Richmond’s history and a beautiful example of what life was like during the 1880’s!
- VideoChris
March 03, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Richmond, Historic & Heritage Sites
Find more information about Richmond - Historic & Heritage Sites
Hey everyone! Today I was very fortunate to be invited to the International Buddhist Temple on Steveston Highway. This is one of those places that many people drive by on a daily basis, but never actually take the time to go check out! Wow! The place is incredible, not just in architecture, but in energy and atmosphere too!
Two Buddhists from Hong Kong established the International Buddhist Temple, also known as the ‘Guan-Yin Temple’, in 1981 in hopes of creating a major Buddhist establishment in North America. Opening to the public 1983, it has been thriving in Richmond ever since. The temple primarily practises Mahayana Buddhism, though it is also open to Theravada Buddhism and welcomes all visitors, no matter creed. Upon walking in, I was given an amazingly warm and accommodating welcome by the monks, nuns, and groundskeepers throughout the facilities.
I soon learned that the temple itself is the most authentic structure of traditional Chinese palatial style in all of North America! Wow! Its design is based on the Forbidden City in Beijing, China and I have to say, it is stunning.
Where do I even begin? Almost everywhere you look you’ll see ornate, beautiful designs, architecture, statues, sculpted greenery, ponds, cobble stone walkways, and little traditional courtyards. The roofs feature golden two tiered tiles, stone bridges cross ponds covered in lilies, and the smell of burning incense is thick in the air. The bonsai gardens, perfectly landscaped, have won numerous awards year after year for their beauty. In the distance you can hear soothing traditional Chinese music being played as ambiance throughout the temple. It truly is a small microcosm of traditional, rural China.
One of the things that struck me almost immediately was the calm, soothing, tranquil energy throughout the entire grounds. Just the way the temple is laid out makes you want to relax and take in the serenity of the place. I would love to come back here again and check it out!
Still basking in the glow of the Lunar New Year festivities, the temple was much busier than normal with people traveling from far and wide, some dressed in their traditional Chinese garb, to light incense and pay their respects to the Buddha. It seemed like everyone was hoping to bring on some good luck for the coming year!
Probably the highlight and apex of the temple is the Main Gracious Hall. Out of respect, I was not allowed to bring my camera in there, which is too bad – they have the largest Buddha statue in all of North America. I got to see it with my own eyes, and I would reckon it was about 25-30 feet tall, painted in gold. It was quite a sight!
Regardless of if you’re a Buddhist or not, this is a place that shouldn’t be missed if visiting Richmond – if for no other reason than to enjoy the calm tranquility of the grounds and take in the traditional Chinese atmosphere. Have you ever wanted to walk the Forbidden City of Beijing? Save yourself some money and come to Richmond instead! Just make sure you like the smell of incense, because there certainly is a lot of it!
The International Buddhist Temple offers insight into Buddhist philosophies, sanctuary, meditation classes, and charitable giving.
- VideoChris
March 03, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Richmond, Historic & Heritage Sites
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Hey guys! Today I’m excited to show you around one of the most important parts of Steveston’s history – the
Gulf Of Georgia Cannery!
Wow!! The last time I was in here was probably about grade 2 or 3! It felt great to be back and familiarize myself with all the amazing exhibits and work they’ve done since. I’m not really much of a museum guy, but the Cannery really does do a great job of keeping things informative, interesting, and interactive. As you could probably tell from the video, I was thoroughly entertained throughout my experience!
If you don’t know much about the Gulf Of Georgia Cannery, here’s the lowdown. It was built in 1894 in Steveston, and was the largest and leading producer of canned salmon in all of British Columbia! It was titled ‘The Monster Cannery’ and packed more than 2.5 million cans of salmon in 1897! Today, it has been transformed into a beautiful museum with interactive exhibits, films, and tours that demonstrate how important its role was to not only Richmond, but the entire West Coast of BC.
My experience there was fantastic. The staff were friendly and helpful, and the amount of information, old artifacts, machinery, and overall atmosphere really drew me into the canning & fishing culture. They also play really catchy old fishing tunes at the door when you enter the building! It not only put a smile on my face, but it’s small details like this make the building that much more immersive and fun!
Lastly, my personal highlight of the museum (as showcased in the video!) was the walkthrough troller replica found inside! It’s a representation of an actual fishing boat that would have been used on the Fraser, complete with sound effects, atmospheric lighting, video screens, and even a fisherman ‘taking a break.’ (this caught me totally off-guard by the way, and I thought it was a fantastic touch)
If you’re in Steveston, definitely take a stroll through the Gulf Of Georgia Cannery! It’s a fantastic piece of Richmond’s history perfectly preserved and waiting to be explored! The Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site is open daily from 10:00am to 5:00pm.
- VideoChris
March 03, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Richmond, Historic & Heritage Sites
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Hi everyone! Today I went and toured the national historic site of Britannia Heritage Shipyards, located in the corner of Steveston. This place is an amazing collection of old restored boatyards, residences, boardwalks, and docks dating back to the cannery days of Richmond in the 1800’s!
Britannia is a really cool place, stuffed to the brim with history and old pieces of the past just waiting to be uncovered. I was hit by a bit of nostalgia when I arrived as I have very fond memories of coming here on field trips when I was a kid. Regardless of your age however, there’s definitely something here for everyone.
The shipyards themselves date back to 1889 and are in remarkable condition considering their age. They are the oldest restored shipyards in all of British Columbia and nowadays act as a wonderful public museum! Britannia offers guided tours where you can take in the park-like atmosphere, watch a boat restoration in progress, or simply enjoy the buildings and artifacts on display. (tours are by donation!) The site itself sits on an eight and a half acre piece of land alongside the Fraser River, with a total of 12 buildings all beautifully restored and decorated to match their era. When you visit, ask for Brooke, the heritage coordinator! It was her task to fashion the building’s interiors, and transport you back into the old cannery days. To that end, she’s done a fabulous job!
Britannia offers a fun atmosphere that offers a view into the lives of the former village residents and the importance of the boat building and repair industry! It’s a lovely marshland walk filled with informative plaques, restored houses, ships, and an old boatyard just waiting to be taken in. Next time you’re in Steveston, check out the Britannia Heritage Shipyards!
- VideoChris
March 03, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Richmond, Historic & Heritage Sites
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Hey guys! Today I am going to give you a quick tour of the beautiful historic fishing village of Steveston. If you’re not sure where Steveston is, it’s in the South West corner of Richmond on the mouth of the Fraser River. This is without question and is one of the most unique and iconic locations in the entire city.
Today is actually an interesting day because, as you’ve seen in the video, there is snow everywhere! This NEVER happens in Richmond. If we’re lucky, we get snow maybe 1-2 times every couple of years. My shoot day just so happened to fall on one of those days. Go figure. For the record, Richmond is one of the mildest cities in all of Canada, albeit a wet one. (rain! rain! rain!) That’s ok though, as a little liquid sunshine never hurt anyone.
For those who aren’t familiar with Steveston, there are a few key landmarks that are ‘must visits’ if you’re in the area. First and foremost, are our famous docks! On weekends they are bustling with activity; fishing boats showing their newest catches, little souvenir shops, patio restaurants, cafes, fish & chips on the water, and the best frozen yogurt in the city. Taking a stroll down the boardwalk and taking in all the sights and sounds really is a special thing- a totally unique experience to the rest of Richmond.
Next up is The Gulf of Georgia Cannery, which is pretty much the main reason Steveston is on the map. Back in the 1800’s Steveston was the epicentre of fishing in all of BC. In fact, last fall we had the biggest sockeye salmon run in 100 years. The Cannery is a beautifully laid out museum showcasing the traditions and proud heritage that made Steveston what it is today.
Lastly is Moncton Street, which is the main ‘strip’ of Steveston. You’ll find plenty of ‘Ma & Pa’s’ restaurants (among others!) that cover the whole gamut: Greek, Indian, Italian, Mexican, sandwich places, and of course the best local seafood around! Beyond that, there are many micro bakeries, cafes, souvenir shops, and other hidden little gems just waiting to be explored.
Steveston really is a beautiful place and absolutely worth a visit if you come to Richmond. A nice afternoon on the docks, a basket of fish & chips, some fresh frozen yogurt, and a stroll through one of it’s scenic parks is only the tip of the iceberg of what Steveston has to offer. The charm of it’s little streets and character buildings really takes you back to a time long past, but that’s for you to explore yourself.
- VideoChris
May 19, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Richmond, Historic & Heritage Sites
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View a larger image on flickr.com
Britannia Heritage Shipyard located in Steveston, BC, Canada is truly a unique step back in time. Steveston was the world's busiest deep water fishing port at the end of the 20th century, dotted with 15 fish canneries, hotels, saloons, and gambling dens. Her boardwalks reflected the voices of Japanese, Chinese, Native Indian, and European immigrants, as well as sailors from around the world. The Britannia Heritage Shipyard is now a
National Heritage Site. There is a cannery, boatyard, net loft and restored residences here.
As you slowly wander along the boardwalk,
you can hear the cries of seagulls, eagles,
and hushed echoes of the past. Or was I only imaging the past cries of fishermen who loved the sea and make their homes along her shores?
April 21, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Richmond, Historic & Heritage Sites
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View a larger image on flickr.com
Yesterday morning we took a drive out to Steveston Village in Richmond to visit the Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site. The cannery was in
operation from 1894 to 1979. It was known as the "Monster Cannery",
packing more than 2.5 million cans of salmon in 1897! In 1979 when they
ceased operations the owners literally locked the doors and walked
away. In 1988 (I think) restoration of the site began and can you
imagine the stink of almost 10 years of rotting herring and salmon?
Yuck! It's all clean now ... no stink at all ... and is a very
enjoyable visit! There are lots of exhibits ... moving parts for little
fingers ... and even a craft corner where kids can make their own
salmon!
As usual, Steveston Village is always a treat! We wandered the
board walk, visited the boats selling their fish and shrimp on the dock,
and enjoyed fish & chips from Pajos while sitting dockside in the sunshine in easy chairs!
February 16, 2010 | Field Reports >
Richmond, Historic & Heritage Sites
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One of the longest dragons in North America, at 100-metres, highlighted Chinese New Year celebrations in Richmond, BC. Huge crowds of all nationalities were wowed by the dragons, cultural dancing, Tai Chi demonstrations and more. A high-flying lion dance was a spectacular delight and something you have to see to believe. The day was filled with fun, entertainment and great food! It finished off with a concert by the hottest band out of Taiwan, F.I.R and some amazing fireworks! What a way to ring in the year of the tiger!