Summerland Museum

Our History

Summerland has been fortunate to have a Museum in its midst since the late 1960’s. An informal organization began regular meetings and the acquisition of artifacts with the hope that the town’s Canadian Centennial project might include a library and museum complex. The powers that be opted for the Giant’s Head Park project, but the Museum gang held on to their dream, incorporated as a society and waited for the announcement from the town’s BC Centennial Committee in 1971. This project called for additions to the existing arena, one being an ice viewing room and the second, a small cement block room on the corner of the building to be used as a museum. Unfortunately the arena was condemned a few years later, but the Museum portion was left standing.

This building soon proved totally inadequate so in 1976 the empty KVR Station on South Victoria was made available for use as a museum. After a few years the Society looked into the possibility of having it moved closer to town because its location proved very inconvenient for visitors. The planned move and subsequent restoration proved too expensive an option, so a decision was made to plan a new building. With a grant from the Federal Government and the site and general contractor duties provided by the Municipality, the present facility was officially opened in 1984.

Museum Mandate

The Museum’s mandate is to preserve and promote Summerland’s history through collections, displays, educational activities and outreach programs of various kinds.

Hours of Operation

The museum is located at 9521 Wharton St and is open from Tuesday to Saturday 10:00 am until 4:00 pm June through September. October through May the museum is open Wednesday to Saturday 1:00 pm until 4:00 pm.

For more information on the museum click here