Museum exhibit offers a nostalgic look at camping

NANAIMO - Museum exhibit, In Tents: How We Camped, opens Thursday (Jan. 17).

Camping out in the wilderness is as much part of Canadian culture as hockey or curling.

To honour this pastime the Nanaimo Museum is opening In Tents: How We Camped.

The exhibit was created by museum staff with the help of collectors. It’s meant to offer a nostalgic look at camping before the widespread use of trailers and RVs.

“People are drawn to camping for many reasons,” said David Hill-Turner, museum curator. “For many it is the opportunity to escape from the hustle and distractions of urban life. It’s a popular inexpensive vacation that creates memorable experiences with family and friends.”

The exhibit features a series of recreated campsites visitors can explore and examines the world of camping over the past 100 years.

The museum is asking people in the community to help build a collection of camping images for the project.

People are asked to share their camping memories and photos by e-mailing admin@nanaimomuseum.ca with camping in the subject line or drop them off at the museum, which is located at 100 Museum Way in the Vancouver Island Conference Centre.

In Tents: How We Camped opens Thursday (Jan. 17) and runs until April 27.

For more information please go to www.nanaimomuseum.ca.

Nanaimo News Bulletin