Do you have a favourite spot in BC we should know about?
Contact getawaybc.com
Editor, Cheryl MacKinnon Or click here to submit a calendar event
Museums
Friday, April 24th, 2009 by GetawayBC.com
Across the North Island, communities celebrate their past with museums. Each is as unique as the community that nurtures it. From logging to Finnish Utopia to native culture and marine ecology, there’s a museum for every taste.
Port McNeill’s museum contains a fine collection of old logging equipment, with archived photos and documents that trace the history of the industry and the community.
Port Hardy’s museum includes artifacts that follow the history of First Nations peoples, the Hudson’s Bay Company, and the town. Exhibits change regularly, with each theme tracing a different thread of history.
In Port Alice, the Heritage Centre is located above the fire hall. It continues to grow as artifacts are discovered. It’s a great place to learn about Port Alice’s history, and locally made arts and crafts are available for sale through the gift shop.
A short ferry ride from Port McNeill, Sointula has a long and colorful history. The museum is within walking distance of the ferry, and includes artifacts from the Finnish commune which settled the area a century ago. Three rooms of photos and documents, including a translation of the original Finnish newspaper, Aika, are available for all to see.
Looking for some culture? Try the U’mista Cultural Centre in Alert Bay. The centre has a fine collection of carved masks used in potlatch celebrations, while exhibits trace the culture and history of first nations peoples. A well-stocked gift shop includes locally made jewelry, carvings, and textiles, beautiful mementos of an amazing experience.
For boaters exploring the Broughton Archipelago, Billy’s Museum at Echo Bay is a nautical treat.
Those who want to learn about the ecology of the ocean must visit the Whale Interpretive Centre in Telegraph Cove. The museum aims to teach the public about marine mammals and the threats which they face. A kid’s corner includes activities aimed at the younger set, while educational presentations and videos are perfect for all ages. Several articulated skeletons let you see what’s below the surface, and visitors occasionally help to put skeletons back together again. A great experience for the whole family!;