A Chronology of our Museum
Pre-Museum
1897: First History of Nelson, BC, written by Charles St. Barbe, followed by a critical commentary by Tom Collins and, later, Dr. Edward Arthur.
1931: Charles W. Busk writes to the Nelson Daily News suggesting the formation of a historical society.
1931- 50: Nelson and District Oldtimers Association formed. Original members included J. Fred Hume, first President; R.G. Joy, historian with regular newspaper column, “From an Oldtimers Notebook”; Ross Fleming continues collecting pioneers’ history. Artifacts collected.
1932 – 50: Oldtimers display historical exhibitions in store windows at Nelson’s 1947 Jubilee and at Fall Fairs.
1940- 50: Nelson Art Club sponsors traveling and local art exhibits, while looking for permanent display space.
Beginnings
1955: Kootenay Museum Association formed by Nelson Art Club and citizens interested to establish a facility for fine art and history. First Board of Directors’ President, Mrs. Mildred Erb.
1955-59: Temporary museum space provided in the Post Office at 502 Vernon Street. Mrs. Erb is succeeded by Mr. Burnie Fetterley, President of the Board of Directors and Curator with Alan Ramsden, Secretary and Doreen Irving, Treasurer.
1960 – 1971: City Hall occupies 502 Vernon Street, Nelson Museum relocates to the former Kansas City House Brothel, 618 Lake Street, where art and artifacts are exhibited.
1960s: Ladybird Speedboat purchased by the Society for $1.00.
1961: Society hosts B.C. Museums Association Conference. Mr. Fetterley serves as President of B.C.M.A.
1972: David Scott and Edna Hanic write Nelson: Queen City of the Kootenays.
1974: Kootenay Museum Association moves to new fire-proof building constructed as Nelson’s “B.C. Centennial of Confederation with Canada Project.” Major support is provided by Mayor Louis Maglio and Alderman Henry Coleman. Open regularly in summer, with occasional programs during the winter.
1980-84: Society’s name changed to Kootenay Museum Association and Historical Society. Alan Ramsden becomes President of the Board of Directors. Mr. Fetterley retires.
1984: Year round operation begins after closure of David Thompson University Centre and Kootenay School of the Art Gallery. Shawn Lamb hired as Project Director.
1985: Burnie Fetterley granted Freedom of the City,
1987:
• Kootenaiana Archival Fonds from David Thompson University Centre Library
transferred to Nelson Museum by Ron Welwood, former DTUC Librarian, and Greg
Welwood.
• Regular column in Nelson Daily News on historical subjects begins and
runs for ten years.
• Mural of Nelson First Events researched and painted on exterior of the
building by L.X. Forde to honour Nelson’s 90th birthday.
• Museum display room named to honour W.A. Fetterley and the exhibition
room named Mildred Erb Gallery.
• Ladybird Room opens in the Museum showcasing the restored speed boat
1992-7: Turning back the Clock monthly TV series begins.
1994: West Kootenay Forest History Project adopted resulting in three publications from oral history transcripts: A Life in the Woods edited by Peter Chapman (Vol. 1) and Joel Russ (Vol. 2 & 3).
1990-95: M.V. Amabilis II forest service launch acquired.
1994: Nelson: A History in Pictures, edited by Shawn Lamb and published by Nelson Daily News.
1994:
• Boatshed constructed for M.V. Amabilis II by Dick Pollard and Brent Littlejohn.
• Partial operating funding secured from British Columbia Arts Council
1995:
• Historic Nelson: the Early Years Vol. 1 by John Norris launched and sponsored
by both the City of Nelson and Nelson Museum.
• Community Archives Task Force reports on the conservation and condition
of local archival heritage held by public institutions and the Nelson Museum.
Coordinator/Archivist: Annie Lowrey.
1996: Restoration of the hull of the M.V. Amabilis II Project manager Dick Pollard with Bruce Bate, Micah Dance and Patrick Hermary.
1997:
• Nelson Centennial Publications: A Perfect Childhood: 100 Years of Heritage
Homes in Nelson, B.C. by Arthur Joyce; and 100 Days, 100 Years, by Shawn Lamb,
published with the Nelson Daily News.
• Society hosts B.C. Historical Federation Annual Conference in Nelson.
• Partial operating funding from the City of Nelson enables the Kootenay
Museum Association and Historical Society to hire Shawn Lamb as its first full-time
Director.
• Participation in the planning process for the Nelson and District Parks,
Recreation and Cultural Master Plan by PERC (Professional Environmental Recreation
Consultants Ltd.)
1998-9: Restoration of the cabin and deck of the M.V. Amabilis II: Dick
Pollard, shipwright, Annie Lowrey, researcher.
1998 – 2004: Nelson Public Art Gallery Committee begins to organize a public art gallery exhibition in the Mildred Erb Gallery The organizing committee (Pauline Dupas, Byron Johnstad, Carol Reynolds, Stephanie Fischer, Deanne Monroe, Gene Leavitt, Brenda Hornby) exhibits ajudicated artwork of ten artists per year. Staff: Gail Green, Nicole Tremblay and Amber Bear-Robe.
1998-2001: Arrangements and description of the Stanley G. Triggs, Kootenay School of the Arts (to 1984) and the Notre Dame University fonds by archivist Anne Lowrey, assistant Lisa Tremblay.
2000 – 2003: Stewart Enderton, Board of Directors President.
2000: Name changed to the Nelson and District Museum, Archives, Art Gallery and Historical Society.
2000 – 2001: Research assistance for the Nelson Millennium Mural by Brian McLachlan.
2001: Restoration of the M. V. Amabilis II pilothouse, Dick Pollard, Shipwright.
1998- 2001: Needs analysis for a new museum, archives and art gallery and functional suitability study completed; participation in the planning process for new cultural and recreational facilities. Referendum for Community Complex including new museum, archives and art gallery defeated.
2002:
• Society develops options for suitable sites for new museum, art gallery
and archives, and purchases a small portable for additional workspace.
• Map, glass plate negatives and fine art collection restoration, documentation
and storage upgrade project.
2002-2003: Society contributes to the Economic Impact Study of Arts, Culture and Heritage in Nelson and defined Regional Area E and F carried out by Commonwealth Historic Resource Management Limited and conducted by Nelson and Area Economic Development Corporation.
2003:
• May 4th, 2003 fire destroys M.V. Amabilis II, boat shed, and other boats
including damage to the museum building. Artifacts removed, cleaned and building
repaired.
• Successful R.D.C.K. (spell it out) referendum for new leisure facilities.
The Society will move to 502 Vernon Street when City Hall moves to an alternate
site. City Council provides $1 million toward the renovation of the former Post
Office building into a new Nelson Museum, Archives and Art Gallery facility.
Society commits to leverage the City’s seed money by applying for provincial
and federal government infrastructure and capacity building grants.
2004:
• City of Nelson and Society establish Society/City joint building committee.
• City representatives: Councillors Ian Mason, Michelle Mungall; Society
Reps: Board Director, Tim Pearkes; Project Manager, Stephanie Fischer; Staff:
Peter Hartridge and Kevin Cormack (City), Shawn Lamb (Museum).
• Don Lyon, Board of Directors President.
• 1st Annual Nelson & District Heritage Fair held at Chahko Mika Mall
for Nelson and Area students’ grades 4-7. Judy MacPherson, Coordinator
with jurors Eileen D. Pearkes, Linda Hoffmann, Al Lynas, Cathy Speirs, guest
artist Ron Mulvey and volunteers.
2004 -2006: Museum Artifact Documentation and Storage Upgrade Projects undertaken by Jim Yule, Maureen McEwen with Shirley Reimer, Janet Mulloy, Heidi De Guglielmo, Daniel Trobak, Caitlin O’Connell and Nicole Tremblay.
2004:
• Stephanie Fischer hired as Project Manager for transition process.
• Board Committees established: Permanent Museum Exhibition and Collections
Committee; Temporary Exhibition , Programming and Events Committee; Building
Committee; Logo Committee; Fundraising Committee; Finance Committee; Strategic
Development Planning Committee; Website Committee; Marketing and Communications
Planning Committee; Gift Shop Committee.
• Over $1 million dollars additional building funding raised by the Society.
Corporate and Private Fundraising Campaign launched, the Society currently
continues the Capital Building Fund campaign.
2004:
• Visual Mark/Logo Competition held, Peter Bartl, chair.
• Public ‘Open Houses’ held on Baker Street and at the Chahko
Mika Mall showcasing the new cultural facility.
2004 –5:
• Planning process for move to 502 Vernon Street includes the Strategic
Development Plan, Business Plan, Governance Manual, Marketing Analysis and Marketing
and Communications Plan. Planning is funded and completed. Consultants are: Visionlink
Consulting – Fiona Glass, Business Consultant-Fiona Matthews and Marketing
Development – Barry Auliffe.
• Architectural planning completed and approved by the Society. Project
Architects: Thomas Loh, MAIBC and Fairbank Architects in a joint venture.
2005:
• Building and construction project started; Unitech Construction Management
Ltd. hired to oversee construction.
• Permanent museum exhibition project started. Peter Galonski and Rick Budd
hired to oversee design and fabrication of this project.
• Change of Constitution purposes and bylaws approved.
• City of Nelson increases annual operating fund contribution to the Society.
• Society holds very successful ‘Empty house/Open House’ event
at 502 Vernon before interior demolition begins.
• Executive Director, Leah Best, hired July 18, 2005. Shawn Lamb becomes
Collections Manager and Archivist.
• 50th Anniversary of the Society celebrated on November 5th at the Hume
Hotel.
2005 – ongoing:
Over $200,000 of private funds raised towards exhibition galleries, furnishings
and the permanent exhibition.
2006:
• New Logo and Name launched at Society’s Annual General Meeting.
• Heritage Fair Schools Programme held at Chako Mika Mall, May 6
• Facilities moved from 402 Anderson to 502 Vernon; 402 Anderson retained for interim storage
• Grand Opening of Touchstones Nelson: Museum of Art and History, October 14th