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the Royal BC Museum. These strikingmemories are carried through life, andenhanced by temporary exhibits thatbring the world to British Columbia.Planes for many purposes, from the late 1800s and early 1900s, in the “Building BC”exhibit.• Studying the evolution of lifethrough comparison of DNA andthe physical characteristics ofplants and animals.• In collaboration with First Nations,documenting the history andheritage of First Peoples.• Examining and documentingcommunities and industries in BCto reveal how and why they havechanges, and projecting what thesechanges mean for the future.• Examination of social trends.A comprehensive list of researchprojects and outcomes is found inAppendix B.Sharing Our Storywith the WorldAs vital as the collections are tounderstanding British Columbia,it is our exhibitions that enlighten,entertain, inform and stimulatethe imagination of visitors. Ouraim is to ensure that visitors enjoya memorable and awe-inspiringexperience – one that will bringthem back again, and that theywill tell others about. By placingthe collections in realistic settingsenhanced by hands-on activities andtechnology, the Royal BC Museum isrenowned for bringing the past to life.Whether it is the scent of cinnamonbaking in a 19th-century hotel kitchen;the lapping of waves against the hullof the Discovery, the soft echo of natureSaddle from eastern Tibet, ca 1900, madeof wood trimmed with copper and leather,and iron stirrups. © Newark Museum,Dr Albert Shelton Collection 20.498.in a quiet amphitheatre, or the hushedreverence of a First Nation’s big house,countless British Columbians can pointto a lasting memory of their first trip toEqually lasting are the memoriesof British Columbia shared withhundreds of thousands of visitorseach year. The Royal BC Museumis an integral part of the tourismeconomy in Victoria. In additionto the lasting appeal of our famouspermanent galleries, temporaryblockbuster exhibits are critical forrepeat visitation to Victoria and theCapital region, as well as the RoyalBC Museum.A strong level of tourism in Victoriais equally important to the Royal BCMuseum. In 2005 a strong Canadiandollar and perceived barriers toentry as a result of proposed identitydocument requirements for visitorsfrom the United States contributedto a decline in the level of Americanvisitors to Victoria. The U.S. visitorhas traditionally been the largestportion of our visitor base during thetourism season, and an 8.7% dropin US visitation* had significantimpact on attendance. This declinewas somewhat offset by extendingopening hours to accommodateVictoria’s growing cruise-ship market,and strong winter attendance to theLinda McCartney’s Sixties: Portrait ofan Era travelling exhibit.Exhibit HighlightsTibet: Mountains and Valleys,Castles and TentsMarch 4 – October 10, 2005Drawn from the Tibetan collection ofthe Newark Museum, this travellingexhibit explored the ancient cultureof Tibet and examined how the harshenvironment of Tibet influenced artand daily life.*Statistics Canada; prepared by Tourism BC Research, Backgrounder #64, May 18, 200610