Summerland Museum & Archives Society
9521 Wharton Street V0H 1Z0 Summerland, BC, Canada

It's Throwback Thursday, and today we are hopping in our photo time machine back to 1916! In this photo, we see Nell Lawler skating on frozen Okanagan Lake, in front of the Naramata tugboat. Do you remember Okanagan Lake freezing over? Comment below! ... #throwbackthursday #tbt #summerland #summerlandmuseum #skating #okanaganlake #frozenlake

It's Throwback Thursday and today we are hitting the slopes! Well, not us; but this (un-dated) photo shows Jean and Nancy Angus skiing, and they certainly look like they're enjoying their day as they pose for this photo. #throwbackthursday... #tbt #summerland #summerlandmuseum #winter #wintersports #skiing See more

It's Throwback Thursday, the first one of the new year! In this photo from 1915, we see the Coquihalla line under construction, and a snow slide at Shed #12. We're betting that was a long day at work! #tbt... #throwbackthursday #summerland #summerlandmuseum #coquihallaline #underconstruction #thatsalotofsnow See more

It's Throwback Thursday, and we are on the Eve of a New Year! In these photos, we take a look back to 1970, and the Jolly Boys Club New Years Eve Dinner and Dance. It sure looks like a lot of fun was had, and we can't help but be a little jealous! #throwbackthursday... #tbt #summerland #summerlandmuseum #newyearsevefun #happynewyear See more

It's a special Christmas Eve edition of Throwback Thursday! In this photo from 1903, we see the home of Joe Liddell in Garnett Valley in a winter scene (with lots of snow!) that somehow still seems to scream 'cozy'. Merry Christmas from the staff and board of directors of the Summmerland Museum and Archives Society. ... #throwbackthursday #tbt #summerland #summerlandmuseum #christmaseve #snow #peaceful

It's Throwback Thursday, and we are creeping closer to the official start of winter, and the holiday season! In this photo from the 1930's, we see two children posing at the wheel of an old grader. #throwbackthursday... #tbt #summerland #summerlandmuseum #learningearly #winterpreparations #grader See more

It's Throwback Thursday, and although we are feeling the chill of winter in the air in the mornings, we are enjoying the daily sunshine we're being treated to! In this photo from 1906, a group of curlers are seen on the Prairie Valley reservoir, including Frank Osler (center with black hat), and R.H. Agur and sons. #throwbackthursday... #tbt #summerland #summerlandmuseum #reservoir #curling #winteractivities See more

It's Throwback Thursday, and on a day where we would normally be busy preparing for many Festival of Lights visitors, today we are reminiscing! Historically, the Festival of Lights is held on the last Friday in November, and the Summerland Museum saw over 500 people come through the doors last year during the event. The Festival of Lights started in 1987, led by a group of four Summerland businessmen who were involved in the Downtown Business Improvement Area program. Jerry ...Hallquist, Bruce Hallquist, Art Sewell, and Allan Fabbi, along with the Festival of Lights committee, sold strings of Christmas lights to businesses in the downtown core to encourage participation in the event. Later, the District of Summerland joined in by decorating buildings and light posts throughout the downtown area, and businesses continued to support the event, and expand their involvement year after year. It is estimated that the first year of the Festival, or "Light Up", as it is more casually known, saw between 4,000 to 5,000 people join in on the fun. In more recent years, the festival expanded into a multi-day, multi event celebration, including Light up the Vines, Sip N' Shop, and Light Up The Arts, with attendance skyrocketing to almost 15,000 in some years. Do you have photos from Festival of Lights from years past? Share them in the comment section! #throwbackthursday #tbt #summerland #summerlandmuseum #festivaloflights #lightup

Did you know that Ogopogo's real name is Nxaxitk? Find out more interesting facts about our valleys most famous lake monster. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhEJGmTs7CU&feature=youtu.be

For your holiday shopping, check out our new online Gift Shop! All items are pickup only. Follow this link to see what is available: https://summerlandmuseumandarchives.square.site/s/shop

Out of an abundance of caution, the Summerland Museum and Archives is closed to the public, effective Tuesday November 24th, until further notice.

Lest We Forget. Seen in this photo are the Summerland men who enlisted in the first World War, with Vernon Camp tents in the background. Only a portion of those pictured have been identified in our records, and we would appreciate any help in naming the unknown men. Identified are: ... Back row (l-r): Frank Hayward, unknown, unknown, unknown, T. Marsden, Ralph Deans, unknown, George Harwood, Percy Holder, George Dale; Middle row (l-r): Charlie Davis, unknown, George MacLeod, Ned Bentley, Major Hutton, Colonel Robert Cartwright, Bob Atkinson, Keith Elliott, Joe Liddell, unknown; Front row (l-r): Percy Simpson, Harvey Phinney, unknown. #summerland #summerlandmuseum #remembranceday #lestweforget

It's Throwback Thursday, and we are officially two weeks away from Christmas Eve! Have you finished your holiday preparations, or are you in the midst of it all? Watch for the new Summerland Museum and Archives's new online store, debuting soon! In this photo from December of 1976, members of the Women's Institute are seen with 593 parcels packed for the 5th annual Operation Santa Claus. The gifts were to be shipped to northern communities. #throwbackthursday... #tbt #summerland #summerlandmuseum #christmaspreparations #giftsandgoodcheer See more

It's Throwback Thursday, and the sun is shining! In this photo from 1956, we see people standing inside the building at the summit of Brent Mountain (also known as Snow Mountain). The elevation at the summit is 2203 m, over four times taller than Giant's Head Mountain... a worthy spot to take a break from a hike, for sure! The building pictured is a former BC Forest Service fire lookout tower, which now serves as a sheltered area to take in the 360 degree views of the Okanag...an Valley, as well as the Coast and Monashee Mountains. #throwbackthursday #tbt #summerland #brentmountain #hiking #lookout #views

The Summerland Museum & Archives Society is open today, from 11:10-4:00.

Winner winner pizza dinner! Levi Mitchell visited us today to bring in his winning Faux Fire, "Sparky". Great job Levi, we hope you enjoy treating your family to a pizza dinner!

It's Throwback Thursday, and today we are looking back to June of 1961, when a plane crashed into Okanagan Lake near Trout Creek. In this photo, an RCMP officer is seen directing other men who are trying to pull the plane out of the lake. #summerland... #summerlandmuseum #tbt #throwbackthursday #planecrash #okanaganlake #teamwork See more

Happy Halloween!! We've put up some new seasonally themed art, including one done by our new student Malaina Come visit and grab a spooky treat while you're here!