Heritage Garden

History

In 2001, Museum Board Member Liz Barker proposed the idea of creating a heritage garden in the former Post Office loading area. She conducted research into similar projects across Canada. Landscape architect Barbara Johnstone Davidson of Revelstoke was hired to design the garden. The City of Revelstoke prepared the site, and Dave Ottenbreit prepared the concrete forms for the brick posts. The bricks for the posts at the back end of the garden came from the old Queen Victoria Hospital, and the bricks at the front came from the old Canadian Pacific Railway station. The brickwork was done by local brick mason Bob Brummitt. The pergola was constructed by Tom Atherton of Raven’s Nest Contracting, and Don Pacaud built and installed the metal fences and gates. SPM Landscaping installed the brick pavers, and Lyle McKenzie provided and installed the flagstone near the front, from McKenzie Quarries near Begbie Creek.

Fundraising for the garden took place over two years, with raffles, a “Buy a Brick” campaign, and many grant applications. The $40,000 was raised through the generosity of the community. Many people offered plants, and the installation of the sod and all of the planting was done by volunteers led by Greta Speerbrecker and Gerti Smith.

The Heritage Garden was officially opened on July 24th, 2004. Since then, the garden has been used for museum programming and events, weddings, celebrations, and is a favourite relaxation spot for visitors and locals alike. The Garden won a Heritage BC award and an Insitutional Detail award from the Revelstoke Heritage Commission in 2005

The Heritage Garden operates on donations and grants, and is cared for by a team of dedicated volunteers. In 2023 a beautiful metal sculpture/donation box made by Kyle Thornley was installed. Drop some change in it if you enjoy the space! Your donations help the garden to look beautiful year round.

In 2024 the Heritage Garden celebrated its 20th anniversary and unveiled new wayfinding and interpretive signage in the space. Thank you to Tourism Revelstoke and Columbia Basin Trust for funding these new garden signs.

Planting our History

​The garden includes several heirloom plants. The lily of the valley came from the garden of Eva Burn, a local schoolteacher who developed a remarkable wildflower garden. She used her plants in her science classes with her students.

Near the back of the garden is a pink rose that was developed in honour of David Thompson, who first explored this part of the Columbia River in 1811. It was developed by Canadian rose breeder Felicitas Svejda in 1970 and is part of the Explore Roses series that Svejda developed to withstand harsh Canadian winters and thrive in its short growing season.

The Michel Trudeau rose can be found near the back alongside the neighboring building. It was cultivated by Betsy and Robin Dening of Brentwood Bay Nurseries in 2008 and named after their nephew, the youngest son of former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, who died in an avalanche while skiing in Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park in 1998.

A Revelstoke daylily can also be found in the garden. It was developed in Ontario by Henry Lorrain who named it to mark the town where his sister lives.

The rhubarb in the back of the garden near the potting table came from the garden of Charlie Sing. Charlie was a local market gardener, originally from China, who had a farm in the Industrial Park. His horse-drawn cart was a familiar site on the streets of Revelstoke from 1915 until his death in 1954.

At the back of the garden are some vegetable varieties to mark the strong Italian tradition here, as well as strawberries and raspberries which were once grown here for the commercial market.

Everyone is welcome to enjoy the garden whenever the museum is open. To arrange access to the garden outside of museum hours, please contact us.

The garden is maintained by a group of dedicated volunteers. If you wish to join them please let us know. They are always happy to find new people who wish to tend the garden.

Native Species

A native plant is one that occurs naturally in a region, ecosystem, or habitat. In Canada, this also means the plants occurred prior to European contact. These plants are the foundation of native ecosystems. They evolved over time to their environment, and formed symbiotic relationships with native wildlife. As a result, native plants offer the most sustainable habitats and are much more likely to thrive.

Many native plants were used traditionally for medicines and foods. Click the button below to learn more about native species in the Heritage Garden and in the nearby forests!

other Plant Varieties in the heritage garden

Astilbe
Azalea
​Beebalm (Bergamot) Bergenia
​Black-eyed Susan
Campanula
​Candytuft
​Chinese Lantern
​​​Chive
​Chrysanthemum
​Clematis
Columbine
Coral Bell
Coreopsis
Cranesbills
Currant Bush
Daisy

David Thompson Rose
​Daylily
​Delphinium
​Dianthus
​Echinacea
​Euphorbia
​​Fern
​Foamflower
​Foxglove
​Gaillardia
Goatbeard
Gooseberry
Gooseneck Loosestrife
Grape
Hollyhock

​

Hydrangea
​Iris
​Japanese Iris
​Lady’s Mantle
​Lavender
​Lily of the Valley
​Lovage
​Maltese Cross
​Marigold
​Oregano
​Oriental Poppy
​Peony
​Pepper
​Primrose
​Raspberry
​Revelstoke Daylily
​Rhododendrum
​Rhubarb

​

​Sage
Sedum
Spiderwort
Spirea
Strawberry
Tansy
Tomato
Trillium
Violet
Virginia Creeper
Wisteria
Wild Ginger
Yarrow

​