Set in Vancouver’s former coroner’s building at 240 E Cordova St, the Vancouver Police Museum & Archives traces the city’s policing, crime and forensic work. Its exhibits combine historic photographs, police equipment and evidence with displays on fingerprints, ballistics and notable local cases. You can also see the old morgue and coroner’s rooms, with original fixtures that give the building’s past a direct presence. The collection is compact but information-dense, so allow time to move through its four exhibit areas. Some material is graphic, especially for younger visitors.
A former coroner’s building
The museum occupies a heritage building at 240 E Cordova St that was built for the city’s coroner services. It once held the Coroner’s Court, morgue and autopsy facilities, as well as the City Analyst’s laboratory. The coroner’s and autopsy work ended there in 1980, and the laboratory remained until 1996.
That history is visible in the rooms themselves. The former morgue drawers and autopsy tables are still in place, and the coroner’s suite is part of the visit. These spaces provide context for the exhibits on forensic work: the building was a working facility before it became a museum.
Crime evidence and forensic displays
Exhibits connect Vancouver’s criminal history with the methods used to investigate cases. Displays cover fingerprints, ballistics and polygraph testing, alongside weapons, police tools, uniforms, photographs and other historical material. The museum also presents evidence and stories linked to notable crimes in the city.
Some cases involve disturbing details, and certain artifacts are graphic. The collection includes material such as victim remains and crime-related tools, so families may want to consider children’s comfort with true-crime subjects before visiting. Interactive exhibits and activities, including mock crime scenes and educational games, provide a different way to engage with the subject.
Ways to explore beyond the displays
You can move through the museum at your own pace, reading exhibits on policing, investigations and Vancouver’s past. Staff can add context to what is on display, and the museum also holds special events. Movies in the Morgue is one example; other event programming has included lectures, demonstrations and interactive forensic activities.
The museum has also run Sins of the City walking tours through parts of Chinatown and Gastown. These outings explore the area’s criminal history, including alleys and underground spaces, and require advance reservations. Check current event and tour details with the museum before making plans, as the available program can differ from a standard visit.
Perguntas frequentes
Where is the Vancouver Police Museum & Archives?
It is at 240 E Cordova St in Vancouver, in the city’s former coroner’s building.
When is the museum open?
It is open Thursday through Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday from noon to 5 pm. It is closed Monday through Wednesday.
Is the museum suitable for children?
The museum has family-friendly activities, but some exhibits include graphic crime material and human remains. Consider your child’s comfort with those subjects before going.
Can you visit the old morgue?
Yes. The former morgue and coroner’s rooms are part of the museum visit.
