The Royal BC Museum anchors an area bounded by Douglas, Belleville and Government Streets, steps from Victoria's Inner Harbour and across the street from BC's Legislative Buildings. This cultural precinct includes the BC Archives, Helmcken House, St. Ann's Schoolhouse, the Netherlands Carillon Tower, Thunderbird Park and Mungo Martin House, Wawadit'la.

St Ann's Schoolhouse

St Ann's Schoolhouse may be the oldest building still standing in Victoria. Built by Jacques Lequechier in 1844 and constructed in the Hudson Bay Company Red River style, it was purchased by Roman Catholic Bishop Demers in 1853 for use as a residence and a schoolhouse. In 1858, when four Sisters of St. Ann returned with Bishop Demers from Quebec, it was in this building that they lived and held their first school classes. The Sisters gave the school to the Museum in 1974 when it was moved to its present location behind Helmcken House on Elliott Square. Free.

The Netherlands Carillon Tower

The Netherlands Carillon Tower was a gift of the Dutch community of British Columbia to the people of the province in honour of Canada's Centennial. Queen Juliana of the Netherlands laid the cornerstone on May 23, 1967 and the tower housing 62 bells was completed and officially opened a year later. 45-minute recitals are held on Sunday at 3 pm from May to October and also on Friday evenings at 7 pm in July and August. For additional recitals at other times of the year, and exception dates, please see the events calendar. Free.

Mungo Martin House

Mungo Martin House, Wawadit'la, a traditional "big house" in Thunderbird Park, was entrusted to the Royal BC Museum by the family of Kwakwaka'wakw Chief Mungo Martin who also supervised its construction beginning in 1952. The house is a copy of a big house built at Fort Rupert in the mid-1800s. Wawadit'la, completed in 1953, is today reserved for traditional First Nations ceremonial gatherings and is not open to the general public. The Jonathan Hunt House, on the museum's third floor, is open to museum visitors.

The BC Archives

The BC Archives started in 1894 when R.E. Gosnell, first Legislative Librarian, was empowered to collect historical records. Today, this branch of the Royal BC Museum provides research access to records of enduring value to the province for both the provincial government and the public. Service hours vary. Open for full or partial service Monday to Saturday. Limited records access available on-line. Closed Sunday and statutory holidays. Free. Phone 250-387-5885.