In 2025, the Museum and Archives of Vernon celebrates a remarkable milestone: 75 years of preserving and sharing the stories of this region. Its history reflects the strength of community spirit, changing values, and a willingness to confront the complexities of the past.
The museum香蕉视频直播檚 early years were dedicated to building a local history collection, primarily composed of taxidermy and Indigenous artifacts. Many were acquired through means now critically examined and today form the foundation of ongoing repatriation efforts.
In 1956, the public officially viewed the collection for the first time in a space at Vernon香蕉视频直播檚 former police station and fire hall annex (3005 30 St.), beginning a long legacy of community involvement.
The 1960s brought a move into the museum香蕉视频直播檚 current facility. The museum香蕉视频直播檚 approach at the time favoured presenting objects on their own, allowing visitors to experience the items themselves rather than guiding them through a curated storyline. Attendance grew steadily; in 1964 alone, 9,000 visitors came through the doors. Curiosity and novelty played a big role, with donations like a giant 8戮-pound puffball mushroom drawing attention in 1968.
In the late 香蕉视频直播�60s and 1970s, exhibits began to tell more structured stories, including re-creations like a 1912 Vernon News office and a Victorian-era children香蕉视频直播檚 Christmas corner. The approach was eclectic, showcasing bonsai and cactus alongside cups and dolls. It was also a time when the museum modestly welcomed multicultural perspectives, such as Indigenous handcraft presentations and displays from the local Ukrainian community.
The 1980s saw a shift toward educational programming, especially for schools.
Across the museum field, institutions began actively seeking public input to shape exhibits. This period also marked the start of digitizing the museum香蕉视频直播檚 inventory香蕉视频直播� a process still underway today. The archives earned a strong reputation as a provincial resource, while the museum explored innovative ways to share its stories, including through television programming.
The 1990s were a high point.
Successful events and exhibits included the Antique Identification Clinic, first held in 1994, and the 1996 Dinosaur Daze, a collaboration with Greater Vernon Parks and Recreation that transformed the local curling rink into a dinosaur museum, with exhibits on loan from Alberta's Royal Tyrrell Museum.
From the mid-1990s into the early 2000s, the archives grew significantly with collections related to Sveva Caetani, Allan Brooks, and Patrick Mackie. During this time, Friends of History, a volunteer committee focused on preserving local memory, were especially active in recording oral histories, a project they began in 1982. The museum also launched an annual murder mystery fundraiser, which quickly became a popular community event.
Since then, the museum has taken on new projects and responsibilities. In 2011, it became steward of the Okanagan Sports Hall of Fame, now at Kal Tire Place. That same year saw the installation of the faces and internal mechanisms of one of the museum香蕉视频直播檚 largest permanent exhibits, the former post office clock. Volunteers helped launch satellite museums at Silver Star, Okanagan Landing, and the Cadet Camp. In 2019, a powerful First World War exhibit, including a recreated trench, marked the 100th anniversary of the war香蕉视频直播檚 end.
Since 2020, staff has focused on modernizing systems and addressing legacy issues, particularly the colonial origins of the collection. Today, the Museum and Archives of Vernon looks ahead to its next chapter: the long-anticipated move to the Greater Vernon Cultural Centre.
While the museum galleries will relocate, the archives will remain in the current space, with its purpose-built vault dating to 1999. The path has been challenging at times, but the organization continues to work towards better serving and engaging with the community.
As we celebrate 75 years, we honour not only the milestones and memories, but the dedication and care that have guided us along the way. Our deepest thanks to the staff, donors, and visitors who have helped shape the museum香蕉视频直播檚 story. And to the many volunteers who香蕉视频直播檝e supported us over the decades 香蕉视频直播� your contributions have been invaluable. We truly couldn香蕉视频直播檛 have done it without you.
Join us on Saturday, June 14, as we celebrate 75 years of the Museum and Archives of Vernon! Find event details at .
Help us preserve local history for the next 75 years 香蕉视频直播� please consider making a donation at .
Gwyneth Evans is the archives manager for the Museum and Archives of Vernon