Museum Visiting FAQ
Museum Visiting FAQ
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Yes! The ship is accessible Thursday - Monday throughout the summer from 10:00am - 4:00 pm.
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The SS Sicamous now has an elevator, allowing access to the primary museum areas on the second level of the ship. Some of the doorways are narrow, so a transport wheel chair is available if needed. Unfortunately no motorized vehicles are allowed in the elevator. There is a wheel chair accessible washroom on the cargo (ground) deck, close to the miniature model railway.
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There are no food or snack options available on board.
There are however, many delicious food options available nearby!
During the summer there is a food vendor (Creperie OoLaLa) set up in the park, just beside the Paddle Wheel. They offer a selection of sweet and savoury crepes, and delicious coffee too.
We ask that this food be consumed prior to boarding or after you have disembarked from the ship.
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The ship will turn 110 years old in 2024!
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Yes! We have a gift shop located on the first floor of the ship.
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The Sicamous docked in Penticton each night, and departed from here each morning, so local residents always considered the ship their own.
While the vessel was tied up at the ship yards there were rumours of other buyers but these all fell through. In 1949 the City of Penticton was approached by the Penticton Gyro Club, who wanted to use the ship as their club house. Together they arranged to purchase the ship from Canadian Pacific. She was towed back home to Penticton on a wet and windy day in August of 1951.
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The S.S. Sicamous was launched onto Okanagan Lake on May 14, 1914 and was in service for 22 years (until 1936).
Due to a number of different factors (age, condition, cost, etc.) the ship will never again go on the water. She will remain on Okanagan Beach for the rest of her lifetime.
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Yes, the ship has played host to a number of commercial endeavors during the period from 1965 (when the Penticton Museum was relocated) up to 1988 (when the SS Sicamous Restoration Society was founded) including a few restaurants.
These restaurants caused significant damage to the Sicamous and, allowed to continue, would have likely resulted in the destruction of the ship.
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The yellow Tug is the S.S. Naramata, which was launched the same year as the Sicamous and has been on the site since 1991.
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The white and red Tug is Canadian National Number 6 Tug: the only ship on the premises that ran on diesel instead of steam.
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Yes, the S.S. Sicamous Society is a non-profit organization. Our mission is to preserve and protect the marine heritage of the Okanagan.
The Society was founded in 1988, to preserve the SS Sicamous, and protect it from slated closure. Later the society began acquiring other vessels and structures that were in danger of disappearing. Today the Society works to preserve and communicate this unique chapter in Okanagan and Canadian History.
Funds raised go directly to the repairs and restorations on board the S.S. Sicamous, and the other ships in the heritage park. Work is undertaken by a team of dedicated volunteers who are on board Monday to Friday, putting their skills and experiences to good use.
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Yes, the SS Sicamous is perfect venue for those seeking beauty, magic, and elegance on the water. You have access to all points on the boat, making it one of the most memorable weddings your guests will attend!
Click here for more info!
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The Kettle Valley Model Railway Club held its first meeting on March 20th 1988. It is dedicated to capturing the spirit and atmosphere of the KVR, an important partner of the Sicamous and other boats on the lake. Work on the layout began in the fall of 1989 and it was “finished” in December 1993. Since then work has been on going, and each year there are new improvements and additions to the model.
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There is ample free parking all along Lakeshore drive. There is also a large parking lot just across the road in front of the LocoLanding Adventure Park. Tour buses can also pull up in front of the ship, with time for passengers to depart.
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There is a baby changing station on the second level, in the ladies saloon.