50th Anniversary of the Nanaimo & District Museum

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Saturday, April 5th, 2014
1:00 PM to 5:00 PM

The Nanaimo & District Museum Society marks its 50th anniversary this year. The museum is hoping the community will join in the celebrations by visiting on Saturday, April 5 from 1:00-5:00. Visitors can check out the museum's new permanent exhibit featuring a broad collection of artifacts and stories.

Past and present community members who were involved with the society or museum in its early years are encouraged to contact the museum. "We would be happy to hear from people we've lost touch with over the years," says Trueman. "This is a community museum and we would love to see our early members and volunteers again." Anyone connected with the museum around the time it opened is encouraged to contact Debbie at 250 753-1821.

Even after 50 years, some charter members of the museum society remain involved. "Parker and Matilda Williams are charter members and Parker has been involved as a volunteer for the museum since the beginning," says Trueman. "They continue to be museum members and Parker volunteers at the locomotive in Piper Park teaching children about steam trains."

The new permanent exhibit covers more Nanaimo stories. Artifacts from the museum's rich Chinese collection feature prominently in the exhibit, due in part to in memoriam donations in memory of Edward Lee and his wife Marion. "The new addition to our gallery includes the exhibits that visitors really enjoyed in the past," says Debbie Trueman, General Manager of the Nanaimo Museum. "My personal favorite is the changing display of women's fashions." The new exhibit also includes a re-created general store, civic history and Old City heritage homes.

Members of the public are invited to see the new exhibit and have a piece of birthday cake on Saturday, April 5 from 1:00-5:00. Hours of operation are Monday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm. The Nanaimo Museum is located in the Vancouver Island Conference Centre, on Commercial Street next to Serious Coffee. For more information, please contact the museum at (250) 753-1821 or visit http://www.nanaimomuseum.ca/