Built in 1905, the Steveston Museum and Post Office was originally the village’s first bank, and is now a museum and working post office, providing an essential service to the Steveston residents. In partnership with the City of Richmond and Steveston Historical Society, programs at the museum are offered to preserve, promote, and tell the history of Steveston.
History
The museum building was built in 1905 as Steveston’s first bank. The bank manager’s office is original to the building. The building itself was based on BC Mills Timber & Trading Co’s catalogue house model JJ.
The building was floated down the Fraser River from New Westminster in 4-foot sections and assembled on-site.
It was a Northern Bank and then a Northern Crown Bank until 1918, when it became a Royal Bank of Canada. It was an RBC until 1963, when it moved across the road and is still there today.
In the late 1960s, it became Doctor’s Campbell’s office until 1977, when Doctor Campbell sold the building to the Municipality of Richmond.
From 1979, the building opened as the Steveston Museum and the Steveston Village Post Office, and is currently operated by the Steveston Historical Society.
The Japanese Fishermen’s Benevolent Society Building originally served as the administration office for the Japanese Fishermen’s Hospital and Japanese School, this building was moved from its original location at No. 1 Road and Chatham Street, to its current location in 2010.
Japanese Fishermen’s Benevolent Society Building
Originally used as the administrative office for Steveston’s Japanese hospital and Japanese language school, this building was moved from No.1 Road and Chatham Street, to its current location in 2015.
interpretations about the Japanese-Canadian experience in Steveston from the time of their arrival in Steveston to the time of their internment during World War II. Their story is told in their own words, and uses their objects and archival images.
The exhibition begins with the arrival of the first Nikkei, or people of Japanese descent, in the late 1800s to early 1900s. Their many contributions to Steveston from fishing and farming to cultural arts, and from education to kendo and judo are explored. The exhibition also interprets the Japanese Canadian community’s internment during the Second World War and the postwar return of some Nikkei to Steveston.
Town Square Park
A popular community gathering place this park was remodeled in 2016 and combines English Frontier Garden-style at the entrance and transitions into a Japanese-inspired park.
Highlights of the park include a Wakayama sister-city friendship cherry blossom tree, a commemorative dog bowl marker for a beloved local dog named Big Red, a torii-style gate, Zen-style paving and a raised moss garden.
This park is also home to various community events and programming presented by the Steveston Historical Society.
Contact
3811 Moncton Street
Richmond, BC V7E 3A7
Email: stevestonmuseum@richmond.ca
Post Office: 604-271-6868
Museum: 604-238-8026
Partners
The programs and services at Steveston Museum and Post Office are provided in partnership with the Steveston Historical Society, established in 1976 to preserve and promote Steveston’s history.