The Maritime Heritage Society is pleased to invite the community to the official opening of its updated What Lies Beneath exhibit on Tuesday, October 7 at 3:00 PM.

Thanks to the generous support of the Campbell River Community Foundation and the dedication of our volunteers, the exhibit has been reimagined into a visually captivating space that celebrates both our region’s marine history and modern ocean science.

At the heart of the exhibit is a stunning large-scale underwater photograph by local photographer Ricky Belanger. Ricky will share stories about capturing the image and demonstrate the photography equipment that makes his work possible. Adding historical depth, Ruedi Pletscher will showcase his collection of vintage underwater cameras, highlighting how far marine imaging has come.

Guests will also enjoy content provided by Ocean Networks Canada, including data collected from the waters surrounding Campbell River, though a digital platform included as part of the exhibit. The exhibit integrates artifacts from the Centre’s own collection as well as long-term loans from larger institutions.

This marks a welcome return for a visitor favourite. As Executive Director of the Maritime Heritage Society Erika Anderson explains:

“Previously, What Lies Beneath occupied a large space on the main floor. When changes to the building meant we lost that exhibit space, we weren’t sure what to do with the artifacts that had been so popular with our visitors. After a year of uncertainty, we reimagined the layout. By moving some things around, we were able to create a scaled-down but visually stunning space that we’re very proud to share.”

To celebrate, the Maritime Heritage Centre will be serving tea and cake during the opening event. This event is free and open to the public.