Iconic TV personality Jack Webster hosted a regular TV show from 1978-1987. The Royal BC Museum and Archives holds recordings of Webster episodes, but they are deteriorating and the technology used to play them obsolete. These recordings are being digitized to preserve this media legacy and to keep episodes of Webster accessible for future viewers.

St. Ann's school opened in 1858 and began sending pamphlets to parents explaining what they could expect from the school and courses to be taught. The printing press that created these pamphlets was brought from France and was the first printing press in BC. It is on display in the "Print Shop" in the museum's Old Town Gallery.

Until January of 1922 British Columbia drivers drove on the left side of the road. Legislation changed in early 1922, requiring drivers to drive on the right side of the road.  Learn about "Elizabeth", a Model T Ford housed in  the museum's Old Town Gallery that would have been part of this transition from the left to the right side of the road.

An image showing the SS Princess Sophia stuck on the reef awaiting assistance before the storm.

The  Victoria City Isolation Hospital was built to treat those suffering from smallpox.

Aerial view of the valley after the mountain side gave way.

The West Coast Trail, now popular with recreational hikers, began as The Dominion Lifesaving Trail in 1907 to make coastal rescue in case of shipwreck possible. Hikers enjoying this scenic trail today will see evidence of shipwrecks as they walk the beaches and pass over exposed reef.

A few of the ship passengers who managed to escape the wreck of the SS Valencia made it to shore at this lighthouse along Vancouver Island's rugged and treacherous west coast.