Celebrating our History
Conveniently located in downtown Revelstoke in a beautiful heritage building, Revelstoke Museum and Archives is a place where all are welcome to explore the rich history of the town and its surrounding region. We have two floors of fascinating exhibits, each focusing on different aspects of the area’s history, with several fun interactive activities. We feature a variety of amenities available for our guests to use, including our beautiful Heritage Garden. With free admission for children under 12 and a designated kids’ play area, our museum is the perfect place to explore as a family. We also provide great resources for genealogists and other researchers with knowledgeable staff to help you find what you are looking for.
Visit us today and prepare to be surprised by all we have to offer.
See What's New:
Online Donations
We are now able to accept donations through canadahelps.org! We have an immense level of appreciation for the support we receive from the public as it allows to continue our operations. Visit our Support the Museum page to learn more about what our donations are used for.
COVID-19 Safety Plan
Revelstoke Museum & Archives is now open to the public. Current hours are 10 am to 4 pm Monday to Friday.
To our visitors at Revelstoke Museum & Archives:
We have created protocols to reduce risks of the spread of COVID-19, following the guidelines of Work Safe BC, BC Centre for Disease Control, and the BC Museums Association.
Please help us to ensure the health and safety of all staff and visitors by observing the following guidelines:
Occupancy limit in the gift shop: Up to three people in the gift shop and admission area, unless in family groups.
· Occupancy limit in exhibit areas: Maximum of four separate family groups of people with up to five people per group. Occupancy in smaller gallery areas will be restricted to one group at a time. Please observe social distancing in areas such as the corridors and stairwells.
· Occupancy limit for outdoor garden space: A maximum of six individuals or two related groups will be allowed in the garden at one time. Please observe social distancing in the garden.
· The use of the sandbox is allowed. Please ask at the front counter indoors for sand toys, and return them to the bin as indicated after use.
· Upstairs washrooms are available for visitor use only. Downstairs washroom may be accessed upon request if the stairs present a barrier.
· Please use hand sanitizer on entering the museum and before leaving. Wall-mounted stations are available near the front counter and at the foot of the stairs. Sanitizer bottles are placed in other locations on both floors for your convenience.
· Please do not enter the building if you have any symptoms of COVID-19 or other illnesses.
· Touch screens are disabled at this time. Access online content at www.revelstokemuseum.ca; www.landofthunderingsnow.ca and check out our YouTube channel and Facebook page.
· The children’s play area is not available at this time. Scavenger hunts and colouring sheets are available on request.
· We are doing enhanced cleaning of washrooms, door handles, and other touch points.
Gift Shop Policies:
· Card reader will be cleaned with a wipe or sanitizer after each use.
· Shoppers will be encouraged to use cards rather than cash.
· Purchases will be placed in museum bags. Visitor bags will be allowed if visitors bag their own purchases.
· Shoppers will be discouraged from handling items they do not intend to purchase. Signs will be placed asking shoppers to ask for assistance.
Our full COVID-19 Safety Plan is available at the link below.
Stories Beneath the Surface - new exhibition
Our newest exhibition looks at the communities south of Revelstoke that were displaced due to the reservoir of the Hugh Keenleyside dam that was built at Castlegar in the 1960s. Learn about the vibrant communities and the people who lived there, and hear their stories about displacement. Photo by Agathe Bernard
Revelstoke - Creating a Community
Our new book, Revelstoke - Creating a Community - Brown Bag History Volume II by curator Cathy English is now available in the gift shop. The new book continues where Brown Bag History - Revelstoke Origins left off, and tells the stories of how Revelstoke became the vibrant community that it is today. The 200-page softcover book features several photographs, as well as cartoons by Rob Buchanan. Come in and pick up your copy today, or call to order.
Snapshot of History
As the Canada 150 project of Revelstoke Museum & Archives, we shared 600 photos on Facebook and at the museum, and asked viewers to choose their top 150. The final gallery is now available on the museum's Facebook page.
Funded by the Government of Canada. Finance par le gouvernement du Canada.
Revelstoke Reach Map Project
We're excited to launch a new type of exhibit for the museum. We've developed a web map exploring the history of the Revelstoke reach, the land between Revelstoke and Shelter bay, in what is now the drawdown zone of the Upper Arrow Lakes reservoir. Follow the link to a story, and series of interactive maps where you'll be able to virtually explore the history of the area through maps, photographs and an interview. Please give us your feedback on the maps. Do you have additional information or photos that we could include? Do you find the maps easy to use? Are there any changes you would like to see? We acknowledge the generous funding from Columbia Basin Trust, through the Columbia Kootenay Cultural Alliance, which made this project possible.
Click here to access the maps:
Land of Thundering Snow
Visit our online Virtual Museum of Canada exhibit "Land of Thundering Snow - avalanche research and snow science in Canada," at www.landofthunderingsnow.ca
On April 13, 2016, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Revelstoke Museum & Archives curator Cathy English received the prestigious Canadian Museums Association award for Outstanding Achievement in a Science Exhibition on behalf of the Land of Thundering Snow project team.
