Discover the community’s roots and it’s place in Canadian history next week.
R.J. Haney Heritage Village & Museum and the Mall at Piccadilly have partnered to celebrate Heritage Week, from Feb. 13 to 18.
“You are invited to come and celebrate our community and its place in the great mosaic that is Canada,” says village manager Susan Mackie, noting 2017 marks Canada’s 150th anniversary of Confederation and this year’s Heritage Week theme. “My Canada! My BC!,” is meant to inspire Canadians to embrace, explore and enjoy their own heritage places and spaces across the country and throughout our beautiful province.”
The 21st Annual Heritage Week keepsake poster features an image from the museum’s collection. Taken somewhere between 1909 and 1914, pioneer photographer Rex Lingford’s “Three Patriots” poses a mystery.
Museum’s curator Deborah Chapman says the glass plate negative was part of a lost collection so the three gentlemen on the poster are nameless and the story that the image captures is unknown.
Heritage Week Celebrations begin on Feb. 16 when bids open on items at the silent auction tables in the mall. The silent auction is a major fundraiser for the village and museum and items have been generously donated by local businesses and individuals.
“With the help of the Salmon Arm community, the silent auction has become one of the village’s most successful fundraising event of the season,” says Mackie, pointing out there are more than 100 items being auctioned until bidding closes at 3 p.m. Feb. 18.
On that day, families are invited to go to the mall for the many activities that begin with a $5 Pioneer Breakfast for the Village at Jane’s Place, starting at 8:30 a.m.
The lip-smacking-good 18th Annual Best of the Shuswap Pie Baking Contest also takes place on the 18th.
As always, old-fashioned, made-from-scratch, fruit pies are judged by appearance, authenticity, texture and taste.
Everyone is welcome to bid on pies specially baked and donated by winning pie contestants from past years and celebrity baked pies in the Best of the Shuswap Pie Auction, which begins at noon. After the judging and awards, slices of the pies may be purchased for $2.50 each.
For official pie contest rules, call the village at 250-832-5243, or email info@salmonarmmuseum.org. Then drop your delicious entries off on Saturday, Jan. 18 from 10 to 11 a.m. at centre court at the Mall at Piccadilly.
This Family Fun Day includes a craft table, panning for Haney gold, Chapman’s Heritage Week exhibit, pioneer displays, demonstrations and more.
Proceeds from Heritage Week support the extraordinary projects and educational programs at R.J. Haney Heritage Village & Museum.
For more information on this and other village events, contact R.J. Haney Heritage Village & Museum by phone at 250-832-5243, or check out the website at www.salmonarmmuseum.org.
R.J. Haney Heritage Village is a very beautiful place and, with the museum and archives, offers a unique and authentic experience for visitors to explore Salmon Arm’s rich history.
The 40-acre site is comprised of 14 buildings that are either replicas or original buildings, including the original 1910 Haney House, that tell the stories of Salmon Arm’s history.
This year, the community has even more to celebrate at the village with the grand opening of the Montebello Museum on July 9.
The Montebello Museum is more than 12,000 square feet in size. There are nine store fronts that complete the stories told at the village such as Miss Puff’s Millinery and the McGuire General Store. It will be the new home for the Ernie Doe Archives Room and the museum’s collection.
On your next visit, explore the museum and discover the five exhibits: Mah Yick Laundry, The Train Stopped Here, The Secwepemc – First Nations, The Peterson Brothers Ltd. – Salmon Arm Orcharding Family and No Irrigation Required – Salmon Arm’s Apple Industry.
In July and August reserve your seat for the very popular Villains and Vittles Dinner Theatre production, enjoy a home cooked meal and live theatre every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday evening.
Throughout the season, visitors can also experience the many special events hosted by the village with their community partners, including high tea, Father’s Day, Pioneer Day, the Classic Antique Car Show, Harvest Celebration and more.
For more information, call 250-832-5243.
