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Monday 9am - 4pm Tuesday 9am - 4pm Wednesday 9am - 4pm Thursday 9am - 4pm Friday 9am - 4pm Saturday 9am - 4pm Sunday 9am - 4pm

Westbank Museum & Visitor Centre

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West Kelowna, BC
Westbank Museum & Visitor Centre

We are the Westbank Museum and West Kelowna Visitor Centre. Come learn about our community's history, or let us help you make your own! Admission is by donation.
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Guided tours are available upon request. Kids! Come for our beaver and bear scavenger hunt. The Westbank Museum was established in 1978 by Clare and Billie Small to provide a repository for artifacts and documents of the settlement of the area. With these items, we generate historic and cultural programs and preserve the local settler heritage. Since its founding, the collection has grown to over

6000 artifacts and is continually expanding through donations. Our primary interest is in artifacts that are directly from and related to Westbank's heritage and pioneering families. These items have been generously donated by members of our community, pioneering families, and collectors. We consider all donations with respect to the item, its heritage, and the donor. Admission is by donation: $5 per person is the recommendation.

10/02/2024

We are starting our annual membership drive! Now is as good of a time as any to become a member of the Westbank Museum. You get some sweet perks, like free entry to the Westbank Museum, priority notification of museum events, voting rights at our Annual General Meeting (which happens in the spring), and more. Become a member by December 7th and be entered into a prize draw! For more information and to get a membership application form please email us at [email protected]!

10/02/2024

What Is It Wednesday:
This week's featured artifact is a skate blade but what kind of skate was this one meant for?
The answer to the last is caulked boots for forestry work.

10/01/2024

Trivia Tuesday:
In the 1960s, what was the approximate price per acre for a new vineyard in Westbank?
The question for last week's was "True or False: In the first half of the 20th century, grapes grown in the Okanagan were sold as fresh fruit" and the answer is True.

09/30/2024

Sponsorship Monday:
This week's social media sponsor is Valhalla Helicopters Inc.

Valhalla Helicopters offers heli tours, charters, and commercial services, and is licensed for domestic and international travel.

Choose between sightseeing or opting for additional experiences like picnics or wine tastings. With options offering an alpine lake, panoramic mountains, and southern slope escapes, this is an adventure not to miss.

Operating year-round, Valhalla Helicopters is the go-to for helicopter services in the region.

09/30/2024

We are closed today for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. We will be open again tomorrow at 9:00 AM!

We invite everyone to take some time today to reflect on the day and we also invite you to pay our friends at the Sncəwips Heritage Museum & Gift Store a visit for their event they are holding at 11:00 AM! More info here https://www.facebook.com/events/538904595340373

09/27/2024

Formative Friday:

On this day in 1821, the Triganate Army which represented the bulk of the Mexican Independence movement, entered Mexico City, effectively ending the Mexican War of Independence, which had been fought for over 11 years and resulted in the death of approximately 500,000 people. Following this, New Spain was reorganized into the First Mexican Empire, which only lasted until 1823, when it became the First Mexican Republic and then the next year was redesignated the United Mexican States. All of the territory of the Viceroyalty of New Spain was turned over to the Mexicans in the outcome of the war, except for Veracruz and the surrounding forts which remained under Spanish control until 1825. Spain would attempt to re-invade Mexico in 1829, but failed to do so, and ultimately recognized Mexico as an independent state in 1836.

09/26/2024

Throwback Thursday:
This week we are going to this undated photograph featuring a few of the Paynter children enjoying some fruit.

09/25/2024

What Is It Wednesday:
For this week's featured artifact, what profession used these boots?
The answer to the last is aspirin.

09/24/2024

Come by the museum to check out our local artist of the season display for the Fall of 2024 Sarah Parsons!

09/24/2024

Trivia Tuesday:
True or False: In the first half of the 20th century, grapes grown in the Okanagan were sold as fresh fruit.
The question for last week's was "In which year was the fire at the Gorman Mill?" and the answer is 1969.

09/23/2024

Sponsorship Monday:

This week's social media sponsor is Beaumont Family Estate Winery!

Beaumont Winery is an established certified organic winery known for its innovation and ingenuity within its wine-making craft. Choose from organic premium whites, reds, roses, and ice wines. At Beaumont Winery, you are more than a customer, and be sure that you will be experiencing stellar service while being a guest here. Take in the landscape with views of majestic mountain tops and rolling vineyards to be seen on their patio deck while sipping on top-quality organic wine. Be sure to check out Beaumont Winery this fall! https://beaumontwinery.com/.

09/21/2024

We are open today for our culture days events! Bruce the Blacksmith is here until 1:00 PM and then we have our Spanish tour of the museum at 2:00 PM!

09/20/2024

Formative Friday:

On this day in 1917, the Wartime Elections Act was passed by the Canadian parliament which would result in the enfranchisement of women at the federal level for the first time in Canada for the 1917 federal election, albeit only for women who were the wives, widows, mothers, and sisters of soldiers serving overseas. However, this was not done out of good will, but because these women were some of the most in favour of military conscription, which was the primary issue of the 1917 election, and they initially only retained their enfranchisement so long as the husband, son or brother was in service (unless killed). On the same day, the Military Voters Act was passed which allowed women who were serving in the Canadian military to vote so long as they were in service. The Wartime Elections Act also created significant disenfranchisement, as it disenfranchised German, Ukrainian, and Polish Canadians, among others, who were naturalized after March 31, 1902 (the exception being if they had relatives serving in the Canadian military), as they were seen as "enemy-alien citizens".

The Wartime Elections Act would remain in effect until 1920, when it was repealed by the passing of the Dominion Elections Act, though Canadian women became fully enfranchised in 1919. However, Indigenous and Asian women remained disenfranchised. It wasn't until amendments were made to the Dominion Elections Act in 1948 that Asian women were allowed to vote in federal elections, and it would take until 1960 for Indigenous women to be able to vote freely in federal elections (between 1948 and 1960 they could vote but at the cost of their status).

09/19/2024

Throwback Thursday:

This week we are going back to August of 1947 with this photo of a couple men spraying an orchard in Westbank. Anyone know these two?

09/18/2024

Come down to the Westbank Museum for this unique art workshop led by Linda Lovisa!

Create a unique sleeping t-shirt using a reverse tie-die process. After masking out areas on a black t-shirt with leaves, grasses or stencils, a solution of bleach and water is gently sprayed to begin the process. A solution of hydrogen peroxide and water halts the process. Variations of reddish colour, and creation of depth can be achieved by layering techniques that remove and mask items during the spray process.

With a fall harvest theme, Linda has added Halloween inspired items for you to add to your designs if you wish. She can’t wait to see the Sleep Tees you create!

This event is best suited for ages 7-18, but adults are welcome to sign up as well.

The cost is $25/person.

To sign up please email [email protected] or call 2507680110!

Space is limited so act fast!

09/18/2024

What Is It Wednesday:
This week's featured artifact is this bottle, but what did it contain?
The answer to the last is the projector for a Magic Lantern projector.

09/17/2024

Remember that this Saturday is the day that we are hosting our free, family-friendly culture days events for 2024!

From 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM come by the museum and check out a blacksmithing demonstration with local blacksmith, Bruce Armon!
https://www.facebook.com/events/370611776136862

Then from 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM come join us for a Spanish language tour of the Westbank Museum! We would appreciate it if you would reach out to RSVP if you are planning to come so that we have an idea of numbers. You can call the museum at 2507680110, email us at [email protected], or send us a message on here!
https://www.facebook.com/events/490995286648891

09/17/2024

Trivia Tuesday:
In which year was the fire at the Gorman Mill? A) 1956 B) 1969 C) 1972 D) 1984
The question for last week's was "What did Gorman Bros. give Art Johnson as his 25-year service award in 1981?" and the answer is the "Bullmooser" forklift that he used at work.

09/16/2024

Sponsorship Monday:
This week's social media sponsor is Two Brothers Mexican Restaurant!
Looking for an authentic Mexican dining experience on the Westside just in time for Mexican Independence Day today? Look no further than The Two Brothers Mexican Restaurant! From nachos and tacos to chimichangas and burritos, they offer a fantastic selection of delicious Mexican dishes. Stop in at 2470 Main St, and check out their full menu of what they have to offer at https://twobrothersmexicanrestaurant.dispatchninja.com/

09/13/2024

Formative Friday:

Today is Positive Thinking Day! This day has been celebrated since 2003 and the only goal of this day is to have a positive attitude at all times. Remember, the positives don’t have to be huge, monumental wins- just simple, small wins that uplift and encourage you!

09/12/2024

Throwback Thursday:

This week we are going ahead to September of 1967 with this photo of Nellie, Kelvin and Claude Drought on Westside Rd on the way out to Bear Creek.

09/11/2024

What Is It Wednesday:
What is this week's featured artifact?
The answer to the last is a bobbin for drying fishing line.

09/10/2024

Trivia Tuesday:
What did Gorman Bros. give Art Johnson as his 25-year service award in 1981?
The question for last week's was "What did John and Ross Gorman originally call their company when they began making fruit boxes in the 1950s?" and the answer is Gorman Bros. Box Company.

09/09/2024

Sponsorship Monday:

This week's social media sponsor is Luxury Lake Tours.com!

Are you searching for something to cap off your perfect adventure on Okanagan Lake? Luxury Lake Tours has you covered! Meet them at downtown Kelowna, or get picked up free of charge anywhere from Kelowna to Peachland! Are you looking for a fishing charter? Cal and his team will take you to the best fishing spots on the lake! How about some family fun tubing on the lake? They can do that too! They even do dinner cruises for the foodies that want a unique Okanagan experience. Check out their website https://luxurylaketours.com/ to see all that Luxury Lake Tours has to offer.

Address

2376 Dobbin Road
West Kelowna, BC
V4T2H9

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 4pm
Tuesday	9am - 4pm
Wednesday	9am - 4pm
Thursday	9am - 4pm
Friday	9am - 4pm
Saturday	9am - 4pm
Sunday	9am - 4pm

Telephone

250-768-0110

Website

http://www.westbankmuseum.com/

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Videos

We are excited to announce our workshop schedule for this year's Westside Multiculturalism Day! 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Tai Chi Workshop with Wine Country Tai Chi https://www.facebook.com/events/299392366524331 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Highland Dance Workshop with Emily McDonald's School of Highland Dance https://www.facebook.com/events/939470781109323 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Wei Qi Board Game & Chinese Calligraphy Workshop with the Team from Mandarin Mondays https://www.facebook.com/events/293782593758686 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Country Line Dance Workshop with Okanagan Line Dance Instructor Maddie Berard-Belzile https://www.facebook.com/events/443021541724540 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Slovenian Folkloric Dance Workshop with Leona Finlayson https://facebook.com/events/7497796943636783 If you would like to sign up for any of these workshops, please email [email protected] or call 2507680110!

Formative Friday: Today is International Women's Day! While March 8th has disputedly been celebrated as an international day for women since 1857, or 1914, or 1917 (it really is hard to pin down), International Women's Day has been recognized and officially celebrated since 1975. It is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women, and Westbank is a community with a rich history of influential women like Susan Allison, Dorothy Gellatly, Helen Gorman, Sheila Paynter, Margaret Derrickson, and Merle Griffin just to name a few. The women of Westbank were and are, among so many things, the homemakers, the event organizers, the fundraisers, the teachers, the farmers, the fruit packers, the business owners, and the history keepers of this community. Seriously, between the scrapbook collections of Levina Kneller and Merle Griffin, Dorothy Gellatly's "A Bit of Okanagan History", Sheila Paynter's books and newspaper columns, and Kathleen Reece's genealogy work on many of our community's families, and the work of the whole staff at the Sncəwips Heritage Museum & Gift Store, there is an awful lot of Westbank history that would be lost had they not put in the time and effort they did and do! Happy International Women's Day! #westbankmuseum #FormativeFriday #IWD2024 #InspireInclusion

The Haunted House at the Westbank Museum is now open! Come by today! We are here until 4:00 PM!

One week to go until we open the Haunted House at the Museum. Come drop by any day from October 24th to October 31st and enjoy Halloweek with us. #westbankmuseum #halloween2022

⁯video of books.mp4

It’s #naitonalbookloversday We have a wide variety of books available for sale in our store. There are children’s books, cookbooks, maps, and history books! We also have BeadTrail accessories and souvenirs for sale. We are open today 9am-4pm today come and say Hi!

8 more days! We hope the smoke clears by then 😬 Handcrafted guitar made by Kel Drought and played by his brother Brenton. Accepting bids until August 14, at $500 now!