Mission Museum
33201 2nd Ave V2V1J9 Mission, BC, Canada

WHAT IS IT WEDNESDAY is a guessing game featuring curious artifacts from the Mission Museum’s collection. This series highlights once-commonly used items, or obscure gadgets used for a very specific purpose. Answer to last week's post: Button Stick 1973.014.02; S.A. Pechy... A button stick was included in the personal kit issued to soldiers in WWI and WWII. When soldiers polished the buttons on their uniform, the button stick was placed under the buttons to protect the fabric underneath. Can you identify this week's WHAT IS IT WEDNESDAY? Comment below with your best guess! The answer will be revealed in next week’s WHAT IS IT WEDNESDAY post.

WHAT IS IT WEDNESDAY Bringing back a social media series from our past, WHAT IS IT WEDNESDAY is a guessing game featuring curious artifacts from the Mission Museum’s collection. This series highlights once-commonly used items, or obscure gadgets used for a very specific purpose. Hint: this object was used in the maintenance of certain garments. Comment below with your best guess! The answer will be revealed in next week’s WHAT IS IT WEDNESDAY post.

We are excited to announce that the Mission Museum re-opens to the public today! Following physical distancing requirements, we will be operating with a reduced visitor capacity. Visiting is by appointment only book now at https://buff.ly/2R5C6YH or phone 604-826-1011. Our safety plan includes mandatory masks, visitor screening, one-way traffic flow, and regular cleaning of high-touch surfaces. Bookings are limited to groups of up to 6 people from the same household. Publi...c operating hours are Thursdays-Fridays 10am-4pm, and Saturdays 10am-1pm. The Museum’s current exhibit is Tuned In: Tools and Technology in Mission. Featuring artifacts representing many of Mission’s industries and communities, the exhibit explores the impact of changing technologies and relationships with the local environment. Tuned In is extended to February 2022, as the exhibit was launched shortly before our March 2020 closure.

We’re hiring! The Mission Museum is hiring a Curatorial Assistant and a Museum Education Officer for our summer staff. Supported by 2021 Canada Summer Jobs, these 10 week positions are a great way for youth (15-30 years of age) to build experience and develop skills in a museum setting. Applications are currently being accepted until Friday, May 21st. To find out more, visit our Employment Opportunities page on our website: https://buff.ly/3sj7pM2

HERITAGE WEEK: February 15th - 21st Let the Good Times Roll - Virtual Exhibit Launch Today! Mission City Soapbox Derby Souvenir Tie 2013.021.001; Donor Unknown... Did you know? Mission's iconic Soapbox Derby was originally created as an aside to the popular Strawberry Festival. The Festival originally took place on Main Street from Grand to Horne, but due to the increasing popularity of the Derby races, the City of Mission built a new racetrack at the Fairgrounds in 1953. A few years later, in 1956, the Festival was dropped to focus exclusively on the Soapbox Derby. To find out more about these memorable Mission events and more, please visit www.missionmuseum.com/heritage-week to interact with our FIRST EVER virtual exhibit! #BCHeritageWeek #MyBCis #MyCanadais

HERITAGE WEEK - February 15th - 21st, 2021 For the very first time, the Mission Museum and Mission Community Archives are producing virtual events during Heritage Week! Let the Good Times Roll will explore selected seasonal community events which have literally put Mission on the map through a virtual exhibition presented by the Mission Museum, and an online video presentation by the Mission Community Archives. ... The seasonal celebrations of Mission’s past serve as a reminder of our community resilience as we continue to navigate these unprecedented times. Each of the virtual events will include an exclusive look at one of Mission’s longest running annual events, the Agricultural Fair (Fall|Summer Fair), which ran from 1894-1999. To discover the storied past about this seasonal celebration and others please visit us online at www.missionmuseum.com/heritage-week Exhibit opening: February 16, 2021 --- If you have objects from the seasonal celebrations of Mission’s past, and would like to donate to the Museum collection, please contact us at missionmuseum.com/contact-us

I LOVE MISSION Buttons (1988-1992) 2016.004.002; Daphne Sleigh, 2012.041.012; Donor Unknown As this year comes to a close, we would like to say thank you to the community for its resounding support for the Museum, and for other small businesses and organizations in 2020! ... These I Love Mission buttons from the Museum collection serve as a reminder of past initiatives which reflect Mission’s strong community pride. The campaign was relaunched in 2020 by the District of Mission to help local businesses stay resilient through the coronavirus pandemic, while providing resources to business owners and encouraging the community to support those in need. Remote services at the Mission Museum will be temporarily unavailable starting on December 21, 2020, and will resume on January 7, 2021. We look forward to serving you in the New Year, as we continue to adapt to these new norms!

Things look a little different this year, but we would like to extend our sincerest gratitude to the Gorilla Gardeners for ensuring that the museum still looks festive and bright!

As COVID-19 cases continue to rise, we will remain closed for the time being. The pandemic has a far reaching impact on all of us, and so our efforts to document the community’s experiences continue. Help us to preserve your stories for future generations by donating objects related to the pandemic to the museum collection today. For more information on how you can contribute, please visit our website. www.missionmuseum.com/life-at-two-metres

HATS OFF TO YOU! Canadian Women’s Army Corps Cap 2013.013.017; Colleen Hickson In honour of Remembrance Day and the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, we recognize the unique effort of Canadian women who served in World War II. ... This Canadian Women’s Army Corps (CWAC) Cap belonged to veteran and Mission resident, Phyllis Hickson. The hat is a standard issue khaki cap with high crown, and a diamond-shaped badge featuring a design of three maple leaves on a stem. The CWAC was an army division created on 13 August 1941, out of necessity due to a workforce shortage of war services and production for WWII. The intention was for women to carry out support and clerical jobs, which would free up more male soldiers for combat. The concept of women in the Army was radical to mainstream Canadian society, as at the time, the traditional role of women was in the home. Early CWAC recruits reported not being taken seriously by male soldiers. In response, the Department of National Defense launched a media campaign to promote CWAC. While the division eventually gained more favour, CWAC officers continued to be subordinate to men of the same rank, and only male soldiers were permitted combat or carrying arms. For a CWAC member, an overseas posting was competitive, as this was only offered to highly skilled women. Phyllis Hickson was one of 3,000 CWACs who served overseas yet she narrowly achieved recruitment by a literal hair! Phyllis’s true height did not meet the minimum requirements for conscription, but she passed her physical by styling her hair extra high that day. Phyllis Hickson was an active volunteer in several Mission organizations for many years, and was member of Royal Canadian Legion and Women’s Auxiliary for 52 years. Her service to the community was officially recognized when she was awarded Mission Citizen of the year in 1977. Phyllis passed away in Mission on December 7, 2011.

We have endless gratitude for all the women and men who have served for our country and have sacrificed so much. Details of our Remembrance Day window collaboration with the Mission Museum. Photography by @j.r.exposures.

Be sure to stop by Pressland General on 1st Ave from now through Veterans' Week to see our latest pop up exhibit, honouring those from Mission who have served Canada in times of war. Thank you once again to our neighbours for the window feature!

HATS OFF TO YOU! Glengarry 1984.004.001; Earnest Jacobsen In advance of Veterans’ Week, this week’s featured hat belonged to veteran and Mission resident Ernest Jacobsen. A glengarry is a traditional Scots cap normally worn as part of Scottish military or civilian Highland dress. Ernest wore this glengarry on October 9, 1945 on his return from his service in Europe during World War II.... Ernest was part of the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada Regiment, a Primary Reserve infantry regiment of the Canadian Army based in Vancouver, BC. Upon the start of the Second World War, the regiment embarked for Britain on December 22, 1939 for coastal defense. Next, the Seaforths landed in Sicily on July 10, 1943, and then Ortona, Italy in December 1943, which resulted in an intense, week-long urban battle. In March 1945, the regiment was moved to North-West Europe, clearing German forces in Holland. By the end of WWII, the Seaforths had collected 25 battle honours. When the Seaforths returned to Vancouver, over 200,000 people turned out to welcome them home. Ernest Jacobsen and his wife Rhona moved to Mission in 1946. Later in life, Ernest cultivated a rose-growing hobby, became a member of numerous rose societies worldwide, and won many awards. Ernest’s rose garden attracted tourists from all over the world and he received frequent telephone calls from people asking for rose-growing advice. His favourite rose was the ‘Alpine Sunset’, a large apricot-coloured variety. After Ernest’s passing in 2001, his family donated 300 rose bushes to Fraser River Heritage Park and established the Ernest Jacobsen Rose Garden.

HATS OFF TO YOU! Dorothy Crosby’s Hat 1977.107.057; Dorothy Crosby This midcentury-era cream-coloured mohair hat was donated by Dorothy Crosby, the very first curator of the Mission Museum. This hat serves as a reminder of Dorothy’s years of dedicated volunteer service, during which she helped to establish the Mission Museum as an institution dedicated to preserving Mission’s history, and making it accessible to the public.... Dorothy Crosby came to Mission in 1963, and later became an integral part of the Mission District Historical Society (MDHS) as one of the original board members. Dorothy was elected secretary in March 1972, and stepped into the role of Curator in June 1972, when the Mission Museum officially opened to the public. Being appointed Curator of a brand new museum was no easy task, as Dorothy had to establish the entire foundation collection, build interpretive displays, develop storage procedures and create cataloguing systems from the ground up. The initial Mission Museum collection was kick-started by an enormous donation of objects from Anthony Taulbut, who was a prominent Mission resident as well as avid collector and historian. Prior to this, Taulbut ran an unofficial museum out of his home on Stave Lake Street. By 1992, the MDHS had split into three separate branches: The Mission Museum, Mission Community Archives, and Heritage Places. Recognizing the necessity of the MDHS in Mission, the District funded the hiring of Curator and Archivist positions in 1994. At this time, Dorothy had volunteered 21 years of service to the Mission Museum. Dorothy continued her dedicated work as secretary-treasurer of the Mission Arts Council and Board of Directors of the MDHS in the following years. She was officially recognized for her service to the community when she was awarded Mission Citizen of the Year in 1988, and a Heritage Achievement Award in 2009. Dorothy donated many objects to the Museum collection over the years, as she recognized the important need for preserving recent history for future generations, as well as items from our past.

Presenting part two of our video series, Using and Preserving Our Keepsakes: CELEBRATORY SILVERWARE! -- Follow along weekly during Culture Days (September 25 - October 25, 2020) for practical tips and solutions to be adapted for home use, with advice from staff at the Mission Museum. ... -- Follow our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/missionmuseum Visit us at https://www.missionmuseum.com/culture-days-2020 for more information! #CultureDays #BCCultureDays #CultureDays2020 Culture Days | Fête de la culture

HATS OFF TO YOU! May Queen Tiara 2018.002.003; Judi Ronacher, Gaile Lacey (Boothby) This elegant tiara was the crowning glory of the 1931 May Day celebration in Mission, an event which signified the community’s collaborative spirit. ... The event was created in 1921 by the Mission Hospital Auxiliary in an effort to raise funds for a much-needed new hospital, which could also serve as a memorial for those who had fought in World War I. Knowing the steep costs, the Hospital Auxiliary engaged Mission’s residents with May Day festivities as a way to independently fundraise for the hospital construction. May Day was a joyous annual event featuring parades of decorated floats, maypole dancing, bands, sports, and a May Queen Pageant where a select young woman from Mission was crowned. In 1925, the Mission Memorial Hospital was finally opened on the corner of 5th Avenue and James St., with a stunning view of the Fraser Valley. Fundraising didn’t stop after the hospital was complete the building quickly required upgrades and expansions. Funds were also needed to purchase supplies and for supporting daily operations. May Day celebrations continued in tradition of raising money for the hospital. 15 year old Velma Boothby was crowned May Queen in 1931 and was adorned with this floral tiara. Born in Saskatchewan, Velma arrived with her family in Mission as a small child to be closer to family members in BC. The Boothby family moved to a house in Mission that once served as an early hospital. May Day celebrations ended in 1981, but the 60-year run serves as a reminder of the Mission community’s collective efforts and resilience. #HatsOffToYou

We are thrilled to announce that the Mission Museum is the recipient of a 2020 Celebration of the Arts Award! Thank you to the Mission Arts Council, Cultural Resources Commission and the Jury for selecting the Mission Museum in the category of Arts Advocacy at an Organization, and congratulations to all of our fellow nominees and recipients! We would like to extend a BIG thank you for all of the continued support from the Mission community!

Today is #OrangeShirtDay Show your support by wearing an orange shirt today (September 30) to honour Indigenous resilience and in recognition of the legacies of the residential school system. To learn more about the movement, or to find out how you can contribute, visit https://buff.ly/2MuYUbN For information about the residential school system in Mission, visit https://buff.ly/2HK8U4m ... #everychildmatters #missionbc #downtownmissionbc #truthandreconciliation #missionmuseum #themissionmuseum See more

CULTURE DAYS It's finally here! Check out our first installment of Using and Preserving Your Keepsakes: BELOVED BOOKS (Part 1 of 5) -- Why do we collect and preserve objects? In a museum we collect for the same reasons that you might collect heirlooms or other sentimental items in the home. Keepsakes trigger memories, stories, or remind us of a specific place or time.... This video series examines how you can utilize your treasured items while taking steps to prevent deterioration and prolong their lifespan. Follow along weekly during Culture Days (September 25 - October 25, 2020) for practical tips and solutions to be adapted for home use, with advice from staff at the Mission Museum. -- Follow our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/missionmuseum Visit us at https://www.missionmuseum.com/culture-days-2020 for more information! #CultureDays #BCCultureDays #CultureDays2020 Culture Days | Fête de la culture

HATS OFF TO YOU! 1947 Mission Soapbox Derby Helmet 1986.004.001; Lorne Nicholson Ready, set, GO! Right from the start, the exhilarating Mission Soap Box Derby put the small town of Mission on the map. The first ever race in 1946, was the highlight of the inaugural Strawberry Festival, a community event which was launched to boost spirits and revitalize the berry industry post WWII. ... To comply with a copyright issue with the All-American Soap Box Derby, the Mission District signed onto the American franchise in 1947, with the agreement that the Mission winner would compete in the Championship Finals in Akron, Ohio. Mission’s Soap Box Derby became so successful that it expanded into a province-wide event in 1950. The Mission’s Soap Box Derby connected our city with many communities and attracted thousands of spectators. The 11-16 year old contestants learned many skills, as they were required to comply with strict specifications, including solo construction of racers. This 1947 helmet belonged to Lorne Nicholson, who won First Place in both the 1946 and 1947 Mission Soap Box Derby, and then travelled to the 1947 Championship Finals in Akron. Lorne’s determination for victory was clear, as he scratched Akron or bust into the side of this helmet. Lorne was born in Kenaston, SK, but moved to the Fraser Valley as a small child. He was also an avid flyer and longtime member of local flight clubs, and was a Master Mechanic until the 1970s. Lorne Nicholson passed away in Kelowna on April 10, 2020 at 86 years of age. #hatsofftoyou

How has COVID-19 impacted your life? The Mission Museum wishes to preserve your first-hand experiences during these unprecedented times. In an effort to document the far-reaching impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and to save memories for future generations, we are seeking relevant objects which tell the stories of the Mission community during this time of crisis.... Please visit https://www.missionmuseum.com/life-at-two-metres for more information.

CULTURE DAYS - Our brand new video series - Using and Preserving Your Keepsakes - launches this Friday in celebration of Mission Culture Days! The first installment -- Beloved Books - features tips and advice from staff at the Mission Museum so you can adapt museum preservation principles into the home while extending the life of your prized collection of books! Each installment will be posted to our website, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube Channel every Friday durin...g Culture Days! (September 25 - October 25, 2020) #culturedays #BCCultureDays #missionculturedays #culturedays2020 Culture Days | Fête de la culture

HATS OFF TO YOU! Hats, helmets, bonnets, bowlers and beyond! Did you know that there are hundreds of hats in the Mission Museum collection? Our latest social media series explores the lasting impact of individual and collective efforts in the Mission community, as told by the many ‘hats’ that people wear. With each hat and story shared, we take a moment to say ‘hats off to you.’ We recognize that while many of Mission’s residents have made significant contributions to the co...mmunity, the items featured in this series are limited to the scope of our collection. We would like to take a moment to thank all of those who dedicate their time to Mission’s many businesses and organizations! ------------------- Cloche-Style Hat 1987.041.008; Tomi Imakire Tomiko (Tomi) Lillian Imakire was a dynamic Mission resident, and dedicated her time to many local organizations. Tomi was born in Burnaby, BC, and moved with her family to Mission in 1920, who established a grocery store. Like many Japanese-Canadians in B.C. during WWII, Tomi and her family were forced by the Canadian Government to leave their home after Canada and the US declared war on Japan in 1941. The Imakire family were first sent to work farming in Alberta, and then to internment camps at Tashme and Coalmont, BC. After the war, many Japanese-Canadians did not return to Mission, as all of their previously confiscated possessions had been auctioned off by the Custodian for Enemy Alien Property. Tomi returned to Mission with her husband and their children in 1949, and channeled her generous spirit into volunteering with the Canadian Red Cross, Mission Hospice Society, Mission Hospital Auxiliary, the United Church and Mission Community Archives. Tomi was known for her impeccable sense of style, and was a talented seamstress with a home dressmaking business. This wool cloche-style hat belonged to Tomi, whose outfits were always elegant and immaculate. Tomi continued to lead an active life in Mission up until her passing in 2004 at Mission Memorial Hospital, after which she was greatly missed by the community. #Hatsofftoyou

TUNED IN TUESDAYS! Hem Marker 2008.004.001; Pleasant View Daycare For the home sewer, a lending hand may not always be available! At one time, it was more common for tailors to adjust hemlines on skirts while the garments were being worn. Gadgets like this mid-century era Hem Marker help to quickly and efficiently mark a hemline without assistance for those wanting to skip a trip to the tailor. ... The user, wearing their skirt, stands next to the device, and sets the marker at the desired height. The marker is the glass bottle with a red top, containing powdered chalk. When the red pump at the top is squeezed, a line of chalk is puffed out of the bottle, and onto the skirt fabric. The user then rotates in place to mark intervals all the way around the skirt. #TunedInTuesday

NEW EXHIBIT! Guiding the Way -- Stop by the Mission Library from now until the end of September to see our latest mini exhibit featuring items which show the history of Girl Guides and Boy Scouts in Mission! The Girl Scouts’ Vacation Adventures by Edith Lavell, 1928 1980.069.035; Nancy Jackson.

Thank you to Brad Vis, MP for joining us yesterday for a socially distanced tour of the Museum!

TUNED IN TUESDAYS! Root Cutter/Pulper 1972.042.003; John Donatelli Keeping up with the demands of feeding livestock is no easy feat for farmers, but a root cutter makes quick work of preparing a high volume of feed. This root cutter chops up scrap root vegetables for easier consumption. Vegetable matter is placed into the hopper at the top, and the hand crank turns the knives inside to slice up food into bite-size pieces. Reversing the knives turns the function into a slicer.... This root cutter was crafted by Massey-Harris (now Massey-Ferguson), an agriculture company based in Toronto, founded in 1847. This No. 1 model from 1895 was listed at a cost of $24.00 and weighs 218 pounds. #TunedInTuesday

CULTURE DAYS - Using and Preserving Your Keepsakes: A Video Series This year’s Culture Days events are going virtual and will consist of a month-long celebration! Discover arts and culture in the Mission community during this four week event. In keeping with this year's theme, Unexpected Intersections, the Mission Museum is producing an instructional video series which shows how you can apply museum preservation principles to your treasured keepsakes at home!... Video Series Schedule: September 25 - Beloved Books October 2 - Celebratory Silverware October 9 - Dearest Dolls October 16 - Tiny Treasures October 23 - Best Dressed This is a FREE event! For more information, please visit https://buff.ly/3gYLEw3 Follow along every Friday during Culture Days on the Mission Museum website, Youtube channel (https://buff.ly/3kHEY7U) or on our Facebook and Instagram accounts!

TUNED IN TUESDAYS Electric Straightening Comb 2006.020.008; Marilyn Hiles Kelly Those who desire silky, straight hair may reach for their flat iron, but why not a hot comb? Hot combs were the precursor to flat irons, patented in 1872 by Parisian hairdresser Francois Marcel Grateau. Flat irons were later introduced into the market in 1909 by Isaac K. Shero. ... The hot comb and the flat iron are two overlapping hair styling tools as both have been used simultaneously after their inventions, and both are still used today. The benefit of the hot comb is its ability to catch hair close to the scalp, while the flat iron provides heat from above and below. This hot comb was donated by Marilyn Hiles Kelly, who started working as a hairdresser in 1968.

TUNED IN TUESDAYS Egg Grading Scale 1972.083.002; Helen Porter What makes a ‘good egg’? Around 1900, egg grading determined ideal egg sizes by weight before eggs were sent from farm to market. Most egg grading scales were invented and manufactured between 1920 and 1940, as a response to the demand for mass-market consumption of eggs. In wartime, Canadian eggs were sent in large quantities to Britain to help ease food shortages. ... Produced by Specialty Mfg Co. in St. Paul, Minnesota, this aluminum egg scale was made after 1924. The scale has nine ‘fins’ to measure an egg’s weight. When the egg is placed on the oval rest, the fins lift according to the weight. The weight shown on the scale is the weight per dozen rather than the weight of a single egg.