Chilliwack City Hall after a snowfall, no date. Courtesy of Norman Williams
The last week before the Christmas holidays are here and the Chilliwack Museum and Archives will be open for any last presents you may need until Friday, December 21, 2018. We will reopen in the new year on January 2, 2019.
Once the Christmas trees have been taken down and the extra lights have been turned off the winter seems a little darker. We welcome you to join us at the Museum and Archives for a dry, cozy escape from the weather. The permanent Gallery contains information and artefacts about the different communities that make up Chilliwack and has something for all ages. For our younger visitors we have Discovery Bins containing objects related to farming, kitchenware, travel, communication, education and local First Nations history. Visitors can explore physical objects such as a rotary telephone and an egg beater and play along with the Discovery Hunt booklets.
If you haven’t had a chance to see it the Mountaineers: Community Experience in the Chilliwack’s Mountains exhibit will be extended until March 23, 2019 and our Curator, Anna Irwin, is currently working on a new exhibit highlighting the history of Five Corners which will be opening mid-April, 2019.
We are also very happy to announce a NEW ONLINE EXHIBIT: Chilliwack’s Chinatowns: A Story of Diversity, Racism, and Arson – January 2019
Photograph of unnamed Chinese domestic worker from the household of Lister Smith holding Lister’s son, William Smith, c. 1896. Chilliwack Museum and Archives, P. Coll. 120, file 46.
During the 19th and early 20th centuries, the first Chinese immigrants in Canada made significant contributions to life in the Fraser Valley, the traditional and unceded territory of the Stó:lō people. Based heavily upon Dr. Chad Reimer’s 2011 book, Chilliwack’s Chinatowns: A History, this online exhibition explores the development, lives and personalities of those who built and lived in Chinatown North and South and discusses the lasting contribution of Chilliwack’s early Chinese residents within Chilliwack’s shared history.
The Chilliwack Museum and Archives would like to gratefully acknowledge the support of the Virtual Museum of Canada in the development of Chilliwack’s Chinatowns: A Story of Diversity, Racism, and Arson.
There is an amazing treasure trove of photographs, documents, and items located in the Archives, such as the pins and badge below, and what better way to acquaint yourself with them then to attend the monthly behind-the-scenes look at the work of the archives. The tour takes place the last Friday of every month beginning at 3:00 pm and is led by our Archivist, Tristan Evans. It is an excellent opportunity to learn about local history and how the Museum and Archives work to preserve it.
We look forward to welcoming you in the New Year!
Dixieland Jazz button.
Chilliwack Museum & Archives, 2005.026.003
Chilliwack Exhibition pin, circa 2000.
Chilliwack Museum & Archives, 2002.005.001
Country Living Festival Badge. Chilliwack Museum & Archives, 2016.012.002
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