Sheila Devost

Exciting News for the District of Sicamous Museum and Historical Society! In an effort for the Museum to continue to flourish and ensure it is sustainable the Museum board and the Chamber of Commerce have entered into a partnership.

The current board of directors, many who have been on the board for years are finding it difficult to attract new members and do the work necessary to ensure the museum exhibits are rotated and continue to tell the story of Sicamous.

The Museum and the Chamber entered into a partnership 4 year ago that made it possible for the Museum to be open year round instead of 64 days a year. The addition of staff member for the Visitors Centre who also happened to be a curator opened a whole new opportunity for the Museum to make some changes, share the rich history of Sicamous and attract visitors.

The partnership has been a work in progress with both parties making sure their collaboration was beneficial to all. The trust and respect shared by both organizations has resulted in one of the longest standing Museum members establishing a trust that will ensure the museum is protected and thriving for years to come.

The museum and heritage society will continue to exist, they will be responsible for the strategic direction of the museum including management of the collections, archives, and exhibits. The Chamber will oversee the day to day operation of the Museum and follow the direction of the Museum board regarding exhibits etc.

Currently the Museum is under construction, as is the Visitor Centre. The goal is to provide more of a footprint for the museum and ensure the exhibits are rotated and displayed effectively. The staff have heard first hand from local residents and visitors the need to have more relevant artifacts and information about Sicamous and its beginnings.

As is very common with Museums and boards in general in small communities it is difficult to attract new members, or people who will do the work. We are grateful to this board of dedicated community members for recognizing they needed to accept help and work together to ensure the museum is protected and continues to thrive.

The Chamber has the capacity to work through the Visitors Centre to ensure all the needs of the organization and the community are met. We appreciate being entrusted with this task and will do our best to work with the Museum board members to create a Museum everyone in Sicamous or who has history in Sicamous can be proud of.

We ask everyone be patient as we transition the space, sort through the artifacts and ready the Museum for a bright future…Grand re-opening will be the May long weekend…we hope to see you all there.

-30-