Gulf of Georgia Cannery, Industrial heritage museum in Steveston, Canada.
The Gulf of Georgia Cannery is a wooden facility on the Fraser River that once processed salmon on an industrial scale, with buildings arranged to show the full workflow from arrival to shipment. The layout includes work areas, storage spaces, workers' quarters, and offices, all preserved to show how the operation functioned.
This salmon processing plant opened in 1894 and became essential to the region's economy during fishing season, employing large workforces. The facility shifted production during World War II to support military food needs, marking a significant change in its operations.
The site reveals how First Nations, Chinese, Japanese, and European workers labored together in the fishing trade, each bringing their own knowledge and skills. Their contributions appear in the tools, layouts, and daily routines preserved throughout the buildings.
The site is best explored on foot, with clear pathways connecting the different buildings and work areas. Wear comfortable walking shoes, as wooden floors and outdoor paths can be uneven and weathered.
The wooden buildings themselves remain largely original, with machinery still in place that reveals the physical demands and repetitive nature of the work. Few visitors notice the riverside location was crucial for receiving fresh catch and loading finished products directly onto boats.
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