I’m always looking for idealistic settings and inspiration for my stories, so when I was recently invited by the Vancouver Police Museum to join them on their ‘Sins of the City’ Walking Tour I jumped at the opportunity. And I wasn’t disappointed.
While, probably not the ideal setting for my stories, the Vancouver Police Museum has been the ideal setting for many other stories over the years, including ’21 Jump Street’, ‘MacGyver’, ‘Masters of Horror’ and many other local productions. Situated in the old city morgue, theres an eeriness to the place that leaves one in a conundrum of secretly wishing the walls could talk and tell all of the building stories, whilst being terrified at what they might say. Now while the walls can’t talk, or at least they haven’t to me yet, the museum executive director, Chris Mathieson loves to talk and the stories that come out of his mouth are absolutely fascinating. I could listen to him tell his tales all day, all be it a little bit more gruesome and sordid than those I tend to tell. If your over the age of 18, just ask him about the ping pong ball or better yet, the birthday blower.
The exciting thing about the ‘Sins of the City’ Tour is it takes you beyond the walls of the morgue and into the streets, specifically those that are rather infamous to Vancouver. Hidden alleys in Chinatown where you can still hear the sounds of gambling behind the shuttered windows, past one of Vancouver’s more infamous gentleman’s club, and right through Vancouver’s skid row. Opened my eyes to a whole different history to our fine city that I didn’t learn about in the classroom. Fascinating!
An experience that I won’t soon forget and that I’d highly recommend to locals and tourists alike.
Thank you Chris! And congratulations on being selected by Zero One for their ‘Sponsor A Museum’ Program. The Police Museum is very deserving. You already use social media better than any other museum I know, and I can’t wait to see what new and innovative ideas you concoct with Zero One for the Police Museum.
S says
ooooh! That sounds like an awesome tour! I would love to check it out.
Emme says
It is. A lot of fun enhanced with toddrie tidbits of knowledge.
Waltsense says
So the Police Museum is really a Hollywood set? Always heard the Vancouver is a second fiddle town to LA/NY for movies/media but from what i see it looks like a better city and from what I hear – its inspirational and weed is legal to smoke? not sure about that last one…
Emme says
It is a good city to be in. Not sure that you have that last point right though. Although that particular law seems to be quite relaxed.