Maritime Museum of BC Receives $1M Donation – the Largest in Institution’s 68-year History

Jan 30, 2023

The Maritime Museum of BC will be receiving approximately $1,000,000 from the estate of Victoria resident Cora Shaw, a long-time supporter of the Museum. Mrs. Shaw believed in the essential importance of our maritime history and the vitality of the arts and culture sector in Victoria. This generous donation will be held in the Museum’s J.E. (Ted) Browne and Cora E. (Browne) Shaw Fund, which will support the museum’s expanded operations for decades to come.

“Our Board and staff are immensely grateful for this kind of generous community leadership and support. Mrs. Shaw had the foresight to invest in the maritime legacy of our community, and for that, we should all be thankful” said Jamie Webb, President of the Maritime Museum of BC. “These funds will be key to advancing our long-time goal of establishing a permanent new museum in Victoria’s historic Steamship Terminal Building.”

Cora Shaw (d. 2022) was born in Victoria and lived here for most of her life. She was community focused having spent time on the library Board, the Community Arts Council, and taught handweaving. She was an avid traveler and spent time visiting historic sites on all continents. Her husband Ted Browne (d. 1988) was very involved in early forest practices around the Province, both as a public servant and an entrepreneur.

“This donation is significant for us,” said Brittany Vis, Executive Director of the Maritime Museum of BC. “As the largest bequest we have received to date, it is going to be set aside to support our ongoing operations, providing us with secure funds year after year. This will contribute to our stability and helps us plan for the long-term as we preserve and promote BC’s maritime heritage and culture.”