The following contains a list of the research binders that are available at the Summerland Museum. These binders were created by various individuals and organizations throughout the years and may contain errors and omissions. They are not up to date. Some include links so you can view the files online by clicking the blue text, while others can only be accessed at the Summerland Museum. Please make an appointment to view any binders in person and credit the Summerland Museum and Archives if using any of these materials. Thank you to volunteer Dorothy Inglis for scanning these materials.
A History of Summerland by the Summerland Women’s Institute (1956) Vol. 1. A wide sweeping record of Summerland’s history compiled by the Summerland Women’s Institute that is divided into 3 volumes. This volume discusses the history of the Summerland Women’s Institute and a visit to Summerland.
A History of Summerland by the Summerland Women’s Institute (1956) Vol. 2. This volume discusses Indigenous people of the Okanagan, transportation, pioneers, churches, schools, libraries, the hospital, and parks.
A History of Summerland by the Summerland Women’s Institute (1956) Vol. 3. This volume discusses industries, publications, service groups and lodges, and the war records of 1914-1918 and 1939-1945.
The Okanagans: First inhabitants of Summerland. This binder details the lives of the Indigenous peoples of the Okanagan. This binder includes information about the Pierre family, Indigenous traditions, and Indigenous history prior to the arrival of settlers.
Land Owners: Pre-1914 Listing by District Lot. This binder contains a list of landowners in Summerland before 1914.
Okanagan Lake Transportation. This binder contains a summary of the history of transportation on Okanagan Lake.
Summerland’s Fruit Industry. This research binder focuses on the history of Summerland’s fruit industry, with a specific focus on the Summerland Co-operative Growers.
Summerland Lower Town Development. This binder was compiled by Trudy Taylor with a grant in 1986. It focuses primarily on how Summerland’s Lower Town came to be.
West Summerland Development. This binder details the development of West Summerland from 1890 to 1920.
The History of Summerland’s Water System. This binder was created by Sarah Riordan for the Summerland Heritage Advisory Committee with the purpose of recording the history of Summerland’s water systems. It contains details on Summerland’s early water systems and the many changes it underwent.
History of the Dominion Experimental Farm (PARC). This binder walks through the history of the Summerland experimental farm from its conception to the many changes it has undergone.
The Kettle Valley Railway. This binder contains a record of the extensive history of the Kettle Valley Railway. This binder includes information about the construction of the KVR, the use of the KVR, and the eventual shutdown of the KVR.
The War Years. This binder was compiled by Suzanne Haverkamp and details the effects of the Boer War, WWI, and WWII on Summerland.
Summerland’s Schools and Churches. This binder provides information on the schools, both past and present, of Summerland as well as the churches that can be found in Summerland.
Medical Services: Doctors and Hospitals. This binder has information on Summerland’s medical services, including its hospitals and past doctors.
West Summerland Businesses: Main Street. This binder contains a list of the properties and businesses on Main Street (it is not up to date).
West Summerland Businesses: Other than Main Street. This binder contains a list of the businesses and businesses owners in Summerland that existed on streets other than Main Street (it is not up to date).
The Entertainers: Singers & Players and Summerland’s Bands. This binder looks at all of Summerland’s past entertainment including bands, orchestras, choirs, and the Singers & Players club of Summerland.
Clubs, Organization, and Societies. This binder provides information on Summerland’s Home Comfort Club, Rifle Club, Teen Town Club, and Tennis Club.
Okanagan Baptist College (1907). This binder was put together by Shawn Hutchings and contains information on the Okanagan College in its early years.
Celebrations in Summerland: George V Silver Jubilee, King George VI Coronation, Canada’s Centennial, BC Centennial. This binder has information and photos from the George V Silver Jubilee, King George VI Coronation, Canada’s Centennial, and the BC Centennial.
Celebrations in Summerland: 50th & 75th Jubilees, Centennial. This binder has information, photos, and news clippings related to Summerland’s 50th and 75th Jubilee and its Centennial.
Wedding Album 1. This binder contains wedding photos from some of Summerland’s early residents.
Wedding Album 2. This binder contains wedding photos from some of Summerland’s early residents.
The Blossom Pageant: Queens and Princesses 1946-1988. This binder contains newspaper clippings, articles, and photos pertaining to the Summerland Blossom Pageant from 1946-1988.
The Blossom Pageant: Queens and Princesses 1989-2005. This binder contains newspaper clippings, articles, and photos pertaining to the Summerland Blossom Pageant from 1989-2005.
The Blossom Pageant: Queens and Princesses 2006-. This binder contains newspaper clippings, articles, and photos pertaining to the Summerland Blossom Pageant from 2006 onward.
Family Histories Vol. 1: Atkinson, Bennett, Bernard, Blacklock, Bryant, Cartwright, Clark, Clouston, Daniels, Derosier, Drewitt, Dunn, Fyffe, Hilborn, Imayoshi, Johanson, Johnstone, Lewis, MacKay, McGowan, Mitchell, Mountford, Moyes, Nicholson, Read, Ritchie, Robinson, Rose, Smith, Steuart, Steven, L. Strachan, Uzawa. This binder contains information on the early families of Summerland compiled by relatives of the families.
Family Histories Vol. 2: Adams, Beer, Bristow, Gartrell, Hardin, Harvey, Inglis, Lister, Longmore, Mayne, McKenzie, McLachlan, Mitchell, Munro, Nelson, Ramsay, Simpson, Stinson, Tullet, Walter, Wilson. This binder contains information on the early families of Summerland compiled by relatives of the families.
Family Histories Vol. 3: Blewett, Britten/Traylor, Campbell, Dunsdon, Garnett, Munn/Charles, Williams. This binder contains information on the early families of Summerland compiled by relatives of the families.
Family Histories: Borton, Bernard, and Lawrence. This binder contains information on the early families of Summerland compiled by relatives of the families.
Family Histories: Harris, Sinclair. This binder contains information on the early families of Summerland compiled by relatives of the families.
Family Histories: Landry. This binder contains information on the early families of Summerland compiled by relatives of the families.
Family Histories: P.E. Knowles and Long families. This binder contains information on the early families of Summerland compiled by relatives of the families.
Family Histories: Miller, Joy, and Embree. This binder contains information on the early families of Summerland compiled by relatives of the families.
Family Histories: Monro. This binder contains information on one of the early families of Summerland compiled by relatives of the families.
Family Histories: Van Hise and Dunsdon. This binder contains information on early families of Summerland compiled by relatives of the families.
Family Histories: “I think I have the Dunham Pedigree.” This binder contains information on one of the early families of Summerland compiled by relatives of the families.
Family Histories: “The Life and Times of Rees K. Powell.” This binder contains information on one of the early families of Summerland compiled by relatives of the families.
Heritage Homes: Historically Significant Buildings (1982)- Vol.1 West Summerland, Jones Flat. This binder contains a registry of historically significant buildings in West Summerland and Jones Flat that was funded by the British Columbia Heritage Trust.
Heritage Homes: Historically Significant Buildings (1982)- Vol. 2 Giant’s Head, Peach Orchard, Prairie Valley. This binder contains a registry of the historically significant buildings located on Giant’s Head, Peach Orchard, and Prairie Valley that was funded by the British Columbia Heritage Trust.
Heritage Homes: Historically Significant Buildings (1982)- Vol. 3 Hospital Hill, Lower Town. This binder contains a registry of the historically significant buildings located on Hospital Hill and Lower Town that was funded by the British Columbia Heritage Trust.
Heritage Homes: Historically Significant Buildings (1982)- Vol. 4 Trout Creek, Garnett Valley, Faulder & Meadow Valley. This binder contains a registry of the historically significant buildings located in Trout Creek, Garnett Valley, Faulder, and Meadow valley that was funded by the British Columbia Heritage Trust.
Heritage Tree List. This binder contains a list of heritage trees in Summerland that was collected by Enid Maynard.
Heritage Sites. This binder is a compilation of heritage sites in Summerland.
The Japanese Community of Summerland. This binder was compiled by the Summerland History Committee, including Art and Mary Matsu, Frank and Marge Kuroda, Mits Hikichi, Masao Aoki, and Linda Hoshizaki. This binder contains information about the Japanese Community of Summerland and the history of Japanese families in Summerland.
Cemetery Records: Peach Orchard, Anglican, and Canyon View. This binder contains records of headstones in the cemeteries in Summerland, courtesy of the South Okanagan Genealogical Society of Penticton.
Summerland Schools: Class Photos Vol. 1. This binder has photos of Summerland’s elementary school classes from 1907 to 1935.
Summerland Schools: Class Photos Vol. 2. This binder has photos of Summerland’s elementary school classes from 1936 to 1956. There are also first grade photos from 1972 to 1980.
Summerland High School Classes (1927-1958). This binder contains photos from Summerland high school classes from 1927 to 1958.
Newspaper Columns: “Pioneer Days” & “Glimpse from the Past.” This binder has newspaper columns with the titles “Pioneer Days” and “Glimpse from the Past.”
Doreen Adams Poetry. This binder is a compilation of Doreen Adam’s poetry.
Grapevines: By South Okanagan Genealogical Society. This binder contains a record of the South Okanagan Genealogical Society newsletter.