Explore North Vancouver’s shipbuilding history with The Shipyard Pals
The Shipyard Pals’ theatrical walking tours return to North Vancouver’s waterfront this summer, June to October.
Actor-Interpreters Diana Smendra and Sophie Offei as The Shipyard Pals, offering free theatrical walkings tours all summer long. Photo by Rosie Aceves.
Shipyard Sal and Shipyard Sam (occasionally it has been Shipyard Sue) are long standing theatrical characters who have been developed and created by the MONOVA team from bits and pieces of anecdotal history from the North Shore.
Immersive and Participatory Storytelling
Shipyard Pals Diana Smendra and Sophie Offei in the heart of The Shipyards District. Photo by Rosie Aceves.
The Shipyard Pals are immersive storytellers. In character, they lead participants through The Shipyards and bring the history, people, and stories of the area to life through the context of the shipbuilding operations which took place during World War II at Burrard Dry Dock.
These characters aren’t based on specific people, but rather many people and accounts distilled into character form and have been played by many different actors over the years. While each iteration is unique to the actor portraying the character, the base historical information stays the same.
Beginning this year at MONOVA: Museum of North Vancouver (115 West Esplanade), the Pals are easily recognizable as Shipyard workers from the 1940s. They sing and dance and entertain guests, highlighting the lesser-known history of the area which is hidden in plain sight, and the importance of The Shipyards to both women’s labour rights, and Canada’s contributions to the war.
Theatrical Walking Tours of The Shipyards
Join us this summer for free walking tours with our costumed, theatrical players. Enjoy The Shipyards and learn about its place in World War II history as a major shipbuilding yard. Stories, songs and learning all rolled into one!
- June to October
- Wednesdays and Sundays
- 11 am and 1 pm tours of 60 minutes
- Start location: 115 West Esplanade, North Vancouver
- Free – donations welcome
No advanced booking is required for groups under 10 people.
Email programs@monova.ca for private bookings.
Generously supported by
We rely on contributions, monthly or one-time gifts, to help MONOVA safeguard and expand our community’s archival and museum collections, build learning experiences and inspire future generations.
Donations are accepted through the Friends of the North Vancouver Museum & Archives Society, Registered Charity No. 89031 1772 RR0001.
