Journey back in time...

Come along on a journey through time at the Summerland Museum. Our displays depict the early growth of our town, from the pre-settlement era and the time of the fur brigade trail, through to the days of pioneer life and beyond.

A beautiful fifty-foot mural by local artist Bruce Crawford enhances a diorama where you will discover what it was like to live in a tent house. Visit a fruit-packing house—there’s been one in Summerland since the turn of the last century! Stop in at the Kettle Valley Railway ticket booth from the West Summerland station— the original! Peek inside an old-fashioned kitchen, bedroom and a cozy parlour and imagine what life was like without the amenities we have today!

The original Summerland on the lake, 1906

The Museum’s Tait Room is constantly changing with new exhibits; photographs, artifacts and chronicles that have been so graciously donated by the community. (See What’s New). As part of our Centennial Exhibit a stunning mural depicting a scene of Summerland on the lake, circa 1906, was created by artist Larry Hunter.

 Residents or visitors researching family histories or other projects are invited to make use of the Museum's reference materials; archival records, books, maps, microfilm, and photographs. Copies of the Summerland Review dating back to 1908 are easily researched on our microfilm machine and other records are found in a Microsoft Access computer program set up for public use. Researchers are requested to call the Museum before they visit.

On the Museum's second floor you will find an HO Scale model railway featuring the section of the Kettle Valley Railway that passed through Summerland. This project by the Giant's Head Model Railway Club depicts the town as it was circa 1950. Many of our landmarks are represented; Giant’s Head Mountain, Trout Creek Bridge and many historical buildings, such as the beautiful stone structures, and some like the House on the Hill, which no longer grace our community.
 

A cozy tent house!

Kettle Valley Railway model railway

Our fifty-foot mural
Artist ~ Bruce Crawford, A.F.C.A.
Born in Vancouver, BC and raised in Summerland, Bruce studied in Nova Scotia and has traveled and sketched Eastern Canada and New England extensively. Bruce works in a variety of media but prefers acrylics for the finished work. His work at the Museum beautifully depicts the growth of Summerland, from its natural semi-arid state to a land of lush orchards. Bruce’s home and studio are in Summerland and from here he pursues his main interest, the scenic country of the interior of British Columbia.

The Museum welcomes guests Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a. m. to 4 p.m. from mid-June to mid-September. Hours from mid-September to mid-June are Wednesday to Friday 1-4 p.m. and Saturday 10a.m. to 4 p.m. Appointments and school tours may be booked on Tuesdays. Admission is by donation. The Museum is wheelchair accessible

Learn more about our volunteer opportunities and become involved in your Museum.

The Museum and Heritage Society gratefully acknowledges the Municipality of Summerland, the Government of British Columbia and Canadian Heritage, Government of Canada for their generous financial support.

This project has been made possible in part through a grant from the Museums Assistance Program, Department of Canadian Heritage