Summer Student Reflection 2014

           Having lived in Kimberley for twelve years I thought I had a thorough understanding of the small city. However, after working at the Kimberley Heritage Museum this summer I  can see just how wrong I was. On the contrary, I have only just begun to scratch the surface of the wealth of information available detailing Kimberley's rich history. Thankfully, I have been given the chance to use the many research tools available at the museum to expand my knowledge. I was able to thoroughly examine many photos and artifacts, and to read old newspapers, Cominco magazines and newsletters. However, the most insightful experiences were those I shared with museum visitors. Be it their mind-opening questions or their recollections of memories triggered by the museum exhibits. As the summer draws to a close, I am very grateful I have had this opportunity and encourage others to learn from the museum as well. 

      Although, perhaps the most important lesson I learned this summer was actually that no matter how many warning signs you put out people will still try and touch the exhibits when you aren't looking :)

Barbara, Summer Student 

More DVDs !

We will now be introducing three new DVDs to the museum gift shop! This includes:
Historical Trail (History of Trail, B.C Canada) circa 2000
Reclaiming The Land ( Documentary on the reclamation of the Sullivan Mine) circa 2000
Wintertime Fun (Winter fun and events in Kimberley, B.C Canada) circa 1950s
Each cost $10, and are approximately 15 minutes in length.

Travelling Pictoral Exhibit

Over the last couple days we've been working hard on a portable picture display, depicting various early photos of Kimberley's landmarks with accompanying descriptions. The Kimberley Museum is willing to loan the informational panels free of charge to any interested groups or individuals!

The display consists of two, three-paneled folding boards (four by three feet each). Anyone interested can contact the museum by email (kdhs@shawbiz.ca),phone ((250)-427-7510), or feel free to stop by!

Guided Walking Tours This Saturday!

This Saturday the Kimberley Heritage Museum will be offering a guided walking tour through the city center! This tour costs only six dollars and includes a copy of  the guidebook "Footsteps Through The Past". Your guided tour will begin at 1:30pm and lasts approximately one hour. Participants are asked to meet at the Kimberley Heritage Museum (located on the west end of the Platzl above the library) about 5-10 minutes before the tour begins. Come out and share our history by taking footsteps through the past!

New Arrivals For Sale At The Gift Counter!

We will now be offering two new DVD's at our gift counter for $10 each!

 "The Sullivan" (2000) is a narrated film, originally intended to be used as a brief historical record. The film follows miners underground and discusses the history of the mine."No Man Is An Island" (1949) Is an old Cominco promotional film made in the peak of the Sullivan mines operations.

New Additions To The Museums Gift Shop!

    Come check out some of the new additions we have made to the Kimberley Heritage Museum gift shop!

                              Greeting and Postcard Colouring Kit (As shown below) includes:

                                        ~ 1 pack of 24 crayons

                                        ~ 5 postcards, reverse side blank

       ~ Assortment of "Happy Birthday" and "Thank You" cards, blank inside, fill in your own greeting!

                                       ~ 10 envelopes

                                       ~ All enclosed in a lovely carrying case handmade in Kimberley, B.C

                                  Novelty Postcards of Canadian Wildlife (below) includes:

                                              ~ One cut-out, 3D postcard (Beaver, Moose, or Bear)
                                              ~ Assembly instructions 

Canadian Invention: The Electric Kettle

         No one knows who pioneered the first electric kettle, but we know for sure it is a Canadian original. Legend has it an unknown engineer in the steel stamping factory at Canadian Motor Lamp Company saw a headlight of a McLaughlin Buick and thought that, turned upside-down, would make a perfect receptacle for an electrical coil. From this concept, in 1940, the electric kettle was born. Fred Moffatt, an industrial designer at Canadian General Electric in Ontario, was given the task of improving the design and Moffatt's is the name we associate with the iconic "K42" kettle.

        One of Moffatt's improvements was to raise the handle away from the kettle's hot exterior, to avoid burned knuckles. Moffatt also improved the spout to prevent spillage.

        The kettle's dome was created by drawing a flat circular sheet of brass using a powerful hydraulic press. Over fourty separate parts were incorporated into the first model, including a steel base plate and Bakelite handle. The gleaming shine was achieved by a process using sixteen separate polishing steps.

   
     This amazing Canadian invention will be showcased at the Museum, so stop by and take a look!

      

Summer Students 2014

Summer is here once again and with it our two new summer students!

Our names are Barbara and Emma and we are very excited to learn and share more of Kimberley's history with museum visitors! 

I'm Barbara, a recent high school graduate who will be attending the University of Calgary for their Law and Society program this September. 

 Hi! I'm Emma, I attend Selkirk Secondary School, and will be returning in the fall for grade eleven. 

We are both very grateful for this opportunity to gain insight into Kimberley's heritage and share it with our community and visitors, so please stop by! Also, continue to check out the museum's blog and Facebook page, as we will be updating both with new information throughout the summer.

Thank-you, we look forward to your visit!

Summer Student Jobs

Once again the Museum is looking for 2 summer students, to start work on July 1st. Hourly wage is $10.25, Tuesday to Saturday from 9 am to 4:30 pm. Students must be returning to school in the fall and be between the ages of 16 and 30 years old. You can drop off a resume at the Museum or email for further deatls at kdhs@shawbiz.ca

Email Address

Kimberley Heritage Museum contact email kdhs@shawbiz.ca