Billy Proctor’s Museum is tucked close to the forest on a gentle hillside, overlooking the tidal channels that border Broughton Archipelago Marine Provincial Park. Accessible only by boat, a visit to this unique collection of artifacts is a highlight of any sailing through the region. I was lucky to enjoy a brief visit with Billy himself during a 2023 trip by boat through the region.
Growing up in the wild landscapes and waters of the British Columbia “raincoast”, Billy Proctor never attended school. He was a hand-logger, a fisherman, a beachcomber, and keen observer of the natural world around him.
His commitment to community and environment were clear throughout his life. His lifetime of observational data about the ecosystems and animals that thrive in this special environment led to important conservation efforts protecting Pacific salmon and herring runs. He wrote several books, rich with poetry and heartfelt descriptions of the places on the coast he loved most.
His museum is a treasure trove of coastal artifacts, from indigenous tools to rare glass bottles and interesting bits of logging and fishing equipment.
On another sailing through British Columbia’s Inside Passage and the Broughton Archipelago in May of 2025, our ship had tentative plans to visit Echo Bay, Billy and his museum. A day before we were planning to arrive word came that Billy Proctor had died the night before. He lived a very full and fascinating 90 years and leaves behind a legacy that will have ripple effects for generations to come.
I feel very fortunate to have spent time in Billy’s company, however brief. He spoke of the unpredictability of nature, and of taking the long view – how even the cycles of salmon can be counted in years beyond what we might expect. Hopefully his museum continues to be a welcome stop for intrepid sailors passing through the beautiful islands of coastal British Columbia.
Check out the full gallery of my photos from Billy Proctor’s Museum here.
