Discover an intriguing mix of agricultural tradition, heritage buildings, and First Nations culture in Maple Ridge and neighbouring Pitt Meadows. Just east of Vancouver on the north bank of the Fraser River, learn about local history at colourful museums and other heritage sites.
Maple Ridge Museum
The centerpiece of the Maple Ridge Museum (22250 116th Ave) is its model railway diorama, which depicts in miniature local train routes of the 1920s and '30s, such as the CPR (Canadian Pacific Railway) Line between Ruskin and Hammond. The basement display is comparable to the splendid Great Canadian Railway exhibit at Miniature World in Victoria. Outside the museum is a restored 1944 CPR caboose.
Japanese Exhibits
Other eclectic exhibits document the local history of railway logging and Maple Ridge's passion for baseball. Few realize that in the early 1900s, Maple Ridge's population was 30% Japanese, but that comes to life here with a Japanese Buddhist family shrine and Japanese doll collection. Learn too, about BC's first automatic telephone exchange dating back to 1928, check out an old church organ, and get the low-down on Maple Ridge's nine historic neighbourhoods. The Maple Ridge Museum is open in the afternoon. Call ahead to confirm museum hours.
Haney House
Just a five-minute walk from the Maple Ridge Museum is Haney House (11612 224th St), surrounded by flower boxes and an orchard. This picturesque white heritage home with green trim, overlooking the Fraser River, was built in 1878 by local pioneer Thomas Haney. His descendants lived there until 1979. Since 1981, it's been open to the public - view family portraits and stroll through the lovingly restored master bedroom, kitchen, and parlour. Guided tours are available year-round on Wednesday and Sunday afternoons.
Pitt Meadows Museum
The Pitt Meadows Museum (12294 Harris Rd) occupies the former General Store building on the municipality's historic central road. Dating back to 1885 and surrounded by heritage gardens, it's packed with artifacts that reflect the pioneer history of Pitt Meadows. Pore over old cookbooks, Blue Willow china, and utensils in the kitchen. Or venture into the main gallery to buy raspberry candies, goggle at a 1908 Sears Roebuck catalogue, or examine entomologist, George Doerksen's butterfly and insect collection.
Hoffmann & Son Machine Shop
Across the road, check out the Hoffmann & Son Machine Shop. It showcases more than 60 restored gasoline engines for cars, tractors, washing machines, and so on. The shop was founded in 1936, and was handed over to the museum at the start of the new millennium. The Pitt Meadows Museum is open in the afternoon. Call ahead to confirm museum hours. Guided or self-guided walking tours of Harris Road are available.
Fraser River Heritage Walk
Haney House is one of 12 stops on the Fraser River Heritage Walk, which focuses on the historic Maple Ridge community of Port Haney. Some highlights include the 1911-built Bank of Montreal (now the Billy Miner Pub), the Old Post Office, and St Andrew's Heritage Church. Pick up a map for the walk, courtesy of the Maple Ridge Historical Society.
First Nations Heritage
For canoeing and kayaking enthusiasts, a glimpse of local First Nations culture can be enjoyed while viewing ancient Katzie pictographs at Pitt Lake. In addition, Aboriginal-made cedar baskets, arrowheads, and woodworking tools have been displayed at the Maple Ridge Museum. For more information on historic and heritage sites in Maple Ridge, contact the Visitor Centre (12492 Harris Rd).