Creston Museum, Creston BC

Columbia Basin Culture Tour
2025-08-09 10:00 - 2025-08-10 16:00 (America/Denver) | Creston Museum, 219 Devon Street, Creston, British Columbia, V0B 1G3, Canada
Explore artists’ studios, museums, art galleries and heritage sites through this free, self-guided tour! There are venues open all over the Columbia Basin – and the Creston Museum is one of them!
When you visit us, just tell our staff that you’re on the Culture Tour and we’ll make sure you get a special, behind-the-scenes tour. We’ll show you some of the museum’s hidden treasures, give you a sneak peek into the archives and storage areas, and share some insights into how we do what we do.
Check out the other venues here!

History About Town 2025
2025-07-15 10:00 - 2025-07-19 19:00 (America/Creston) | Creston Museum, 219 Devon Street, Creston, British Columbia, V0B 1G3, Canada
There’s a lot more to local heritage than just what’s on display at the Museum!
Join us for a jam-packed week of walking tours, cemetery tours, and more.
There’s “The Old Town” tour exploring the original part of Creston, the crowd-favourite Great Creston Bank Robbery tour, and the classics at Pioneer and Forest Lawn Cemeteries. Want to explore the story of the community – throughout the community? We’ve got it!
We’re offering up to three different tours each day of History About Town Week – July 14-19, departing at 10:00 AM and 7:00 PM. Pick the ones that best suit your schedule and sign up today!
Admission: $5 per person per tour

Members’ Special: Book two tours, join the third one free!

All tours are entirely outdoors and go rain or shine – please dress accordingly. We recommend hats, sunscreen, water, and good walking shoes.
Space is limited on all tours – advanced booking is recommended!
Click here to go to our sign-up form.

NEW! The Old Town: We’re in the process of developing a brand-new tour of the original section of Creston! Come explore how this place the Ktunaxa call Kxuna’manam became Creston. Start and end at the corner of Cook Street and 11th Avenue South below the grain elevator (Staking Park). 11 blocks, most with sidewalks; some steep hills. Approximately 60 minutes

Tuesday, 15 July, 10:00 AM
Wednesday, 16 July, 7:00 PM
Friday, 18 July, 10:00 AM
Saturday, 19 July, 7:00 PM, combined with the Great Creston Bank Robbery tour (approximately 90 minutes)

The Great Creston Bank Robbery: Join us for the weirdest and funniest episode in Creston’s downtown history! Start and end at Visitor Information Centre, 121 Northwest Boulevard. Six blocks, good sidewalks, optional stairs. Approximately 45 minutes.

Tuesday, 15 July, 10:00 AM
Thursday, 17 July, 10:00 AM
Friday, 18 July, 7:00 PM
Saturday, 19 July, 7:00 PM, combined with the Old Town tour (approximately 90 minutes)

Settlers and Pioneers – Pioneer Cemetery: Take a fascinating look at the people who built the community – and explore the strange history of Pioneer Cemetery itself. Meet at the main gate of Pioneer Cemetery, 315-11th Avenue South. Short distance; uneven terrain; some hills. Approximately 60 minutes.

Wednesday, 16 July, 10:00 AM
Thursday, 17 July, 7:00 PM
Saturday, 19 July, 10:00 AM

Coming to Canada – Forest Lawn Cemetery: People from all over the world have made an impact on the Creston Valley. Share the stories and experiences of a few of them. Meet at the top of the hill in Forest Lawn Cemetery, 602-36 Avenue North. Short distances, fairly level ground. Tour route may be restricted or adjusted to respect any funeral services. Approximately 45 minutes.

Tuesday, 15 July, 7:00 PM
Wednesday, 16 July, 10:00 AM
Friday, 18 July, 10:00 AM

Kids Day, 2025!
2025-06-21 10:00 - 16:00 (America/Creston) | Creston Museum, 219 Devon Street, Creston, British Columbia, V0B 1G3, Canada
Join us for a day full of fun at the Creston Museum! Kids day is open to children of all ages. You’ll get to play old-fashioned games, go gold panning, do some laundry (don’t worry, we make it fun!) and so much more! Oh, did we mention you get to make your own ice-cream?! Stop by anytime from 10am – 4pm on Saturday, June 21st! Admission is by donation! We can’t wait to see you.

Museum Clean-Up Day
2025-05-03 13:00 - 16:30 (America/Creston) | Creston Museum, 219 Devon Street, Creston, British Columbia, V0B 1G3, Canada
We’re partnering with the Town of Creston, Creston Community Forest, and Ministry of Forests to host a Community Wildfire Preparedness day – and we’re combining it with our annual spring clean-up of the Creston Museum!
Join us for a community BBQ, learn about fire-smart activities for your own home, and volunteer for pruning trees, clearing vegetation, and removing fire hazards here at the Museum.
At the same time, we’ll do the dusting, cleaning, and freshening-up of exhibits inside the Museum, so everything is clean and sparkling for the busy summer season.
There’s a list of tasks below that we’ll be adding to – and yes, you can absolutely volunteer for something specific!
For the Wildfire Preparedness work: We’ll have some tools and ladders available, but if you have pruners, rakes, or even a favourite wheelbarrow feel free to bring them along. Definitely bring work gloves, and if you’re thinking of tackling a few of the gardening tasks, bring your gardening spades.
For Museum Clean-Up work: We have a couple of brooms and vacuums, two stepladders, a few buckets, and some dusters. We’ll provide the cleaning products and instructions of where to use them (definitely not on the artifacts!). Extra brooms would be great – we never have enough!
Tasks:
Wildfire Preparedness:

Remove plant growth and debris from in and around all sheds
Clean eavestroughs
Attack weeds throughout graveled areas
Remove dead growth and debris from flower beds
Prune junipers and shrubs
Clear out flower beds by schoolhouse steps and heirloom garden
Prepare flower pots and boxes for drought-tolerant annuals

Museum Clean-Up:

Dust and sweep historic buildings:
Cobweb clean-up – check all the corners and nooks and crannies
Dust exhibits, shelves, objects throughout buildings
Wipe down display cases and signage in Forestry display; wipe down logging arches (also need annual oil treatment)
Move random objects from archives entry an on/around combine
Wash objects in sheds, tidy up displays and e-set as necessary
Wash exterior windows and window sills
Check all exhibit signage and repair as necessary
Sort, tidy, remove unnecessary supplies under store display and gift shop counter
Wipe down picnic tables and benches
Clean washrooms
Clean out fridges, supply cupboards, etc and make a shopping list
Put up new flag

The Night the High School Burned
2025-04-29 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Creston) | Creston & District Community Complex, 312-19th Avenue North, Creston, BC, Canada
On a Wednesday morning in April 1980, Leanne, a Grade 11 student at Prince Charles Secondary School, called her friend. “Maureen,” she said, “there’s no school today.”
“Why not?” asked Maureen.
“Because there’s no school.”
At about 2:00 AM the night before, fire had broken out in the thirty-year-old building. Within an hour, the structure was fully engulfed and all firefighters could do was hose down nearby residences. By dawn, the school – one of the finest in the Kootenays; home to award-winning band, drama, and art programs; producer of provincial championship sports teams; provider of a vast array of academic and trades programs – was gone.
April 29, 2025 is the forty-fifth anniversary of that fire. Join us as we explore the history of high schools in the Creston Valley and unveil previously unseen film footage of the fire.

Tuesday, April 29
7:00 PM
Erickson Room, Creston & District Community Complex
This presentation is being given in conjunction with our Annual General Meeting. You must be a member of the Creston Museum to vote at the AGM – you can purchase your membership online here using PayPal, or by dropping in to the Museum.
Museum members have priority admission.
Admission is free for members; $5 for non-members.
There are limited seats available to non-members of the Museum – RSVP below to ensure you get one!
Members planning to attend are also encouraged to RSVP – thank you!

Annual General Meeting
2025-04-29 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Creston) | Creston & District Community Complex, 312-19th Avenue North, Creston, BC, Canada
Notice of Annual General Meeting
Tuesday, April 29
7:00 PM
Erickson Room, Creston & District Community Complex
Agenda:
1. Call to Order / Adoption of Agenda
2. Approval of Minutes of 2024 AGM
3. President’s Report
4. Financial Report

Appointment of External Accountant for 2025

5. Presentation of Strategic Plan
6. Staff Reports
7. Business Arising from the Reports
8. Special Resolution:
Whereas proposed amendments to the Bylaws of the Creston & District Historical & Museum Society have been circulated to all Members of the Society, and all Members have been given opportunities to review and discuss the proposed amendments, it is
Resolved that the Bylaws of the Creston & District Historical & Museum Society be replaced in their entirety to:
a) Amend Part 2 – Members of the Bylaws to clarify the definitions, roles, and responsibilities of Members;
b)Clarify the roles of Directors and conduct of Directors’ meetings;
c) Make sundry other amendments for clarity, consistency of language, and/or compliance with the Societies Act

Moved by: Seconded by:
Click here to download a copy of the proposed Bylaw amendments: Bylaw Revisions Final
9. Election of Board of Directors
10. New Business
11. Adjournment

Join us immediately after the AGM for a special presentation:
The Night the High School Burned
Click here for details and to reserve your seat!

Forgotten Creston Book Launch
2024-11-23 15:30 - 17:30 (America/Creston) | Creston Public Library, 531 - 16th Avenue S, Creston, BC, Canada
Join author and publisher Keith Powell for the launch of his new book, “Forgotten Creston: A Photo History of Early Creston & District.”
The collective memory of a town often lies in the photographs taken by its citizens. This book is full of some of the very best photos of Creston’s history, and every one of them has a story to tell.
Keith will present a slideshow of some of his favourite photos from the book and discuss his process for creating it. And, of course, he’ll be on hand to sign your copy!

History About Town 2024
2024-07-15 10:00 - 2024-07-20 19:00 (America/Denver) | Creston Museum, 219 Devon Street, Creston, British Columbia, V0B 1G3, Canada
There’s a lot more to local heritage than just what’s on display at the Museum!
Join us for a jam-packed week of walking tours, cemetery tours, and more.
We’re planning tours of the oldest residential neighbourhoods, a few of downtown Creston, an exploration of Forest Lawn Cemetery tour, a wander through Pioneer Cemetery, and even an investigation of the local grain industry! Want to explore the history throughout the community? We’ve got it!
We’re offering up to three different tours each day of History About Town Week – July 15-20, departing at 10:00 AM and 7:00 PM. Pick the ones that best suit your schedule and sign up today!
Admission:

$5 per person per tour
Book three different tours – $10 per person
Sign up for four or five different tours – $15 per person

All tours are entirely outdoors and go rain or shine – please dress accordingly. We recommend hats, sunscreen, water, and good walking shoes.

Space is limited on all tours – advanced booking is recommended!
Click here to go to our sign-up form.

Coming to Canada – Forest Lawn Cemetery: People from all over the world have made an impact on the Creston Valley. Share the stories and experiences of a few of them. Meet at the top of the hill in Forest Lawn Cemetery, 602-36 Avenue North. Short distances, fairly level ground. Tour route may be restricted or adjusted to respect any funeral services. Approximately 45 minutes.

Monday, 15 July, 10:00 AM
Wednesday, 17 July, 10:00 AM
Friday, 19 July, 7:00 PM

History Downtown/Great Creston Bank Robbery: Trace the evolution of Creston’s commercial district, the events that made it change, and the evidence it left behind. Plus – we’ll include everyone’s favourite story, The Great Creston Bank Robbery: the weirdest and funniest episode in Creston’s downtown history! Start and end at Visitor Information Centre, 121 Northwest Boulevard. Six blocks, good sidewalks, optional stairs. Approximately 60 minutes.

Tuesday, 16 July, 10:00 AM
Thursday, 18 July, 7:00 PM
Friday, 19 July, 10:00 AM
Saturday, 20 July, 10:00 AM

Settlers and Pioneers – Pioneer Cemetery: Take a fascinating look at the people who built the community – and explore the strange history of Pioneer Cemetery itself. Meet at the main gate of Pioneer Cemetery, 315-11th Avenue South. Short distance; uneven terrain; some hills. Approximately 60 minutes.

Tuesday, 16 July, 10:00 AM
Wednesday, 17 July, 7:00 PM
Thursday, 18 July, 10:00 AM
Saturday, 20 July, 10:00 AM

The Dow Addition – Residential Tour: Explore one of Creston’s oldest residential neighbourhoods and “meet” some of the notable people who lived there. Start and end at the main entrance of Adam Robertson School, 421-9th Avenue North. Nine blocks with possible extension to fifteen depending on the group. Narrow streets, few sidewalks, some short steep hills. Approximately 75 minutes.

Tuesday, 16 July, 7:00 PM
Wednesday, 17 July, 10:00 AM

Grain Industry and Elevators: Join us for an exploration of the local grain industry, from the dyking and reclamation of the flats, to the construction and operation of the grain elevators that played a central role in shipping and marketing the grain produced. Park at the Visitor Information Centre and meet us at the downtown grain elevators. Uneven terrain outdoors, uneven floors inside; possible rodent sightings. Approximately 60 minutes.

Saturday, 20 July, 7:00 PM

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This project is funded in part by:

Bird Wars of the Creston Valley
2024-07-06 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Denver) | Creston Public Library, 531 - 16th Avenue S, Creston, BC, Canada
This year, we were asked to create a presentation on the “Bird History” of the Creston Valley for the 2024 Creston Valley Bird Festival. So we’ve done a deep dive into local history, looking for all the many, many ways birds and people have intersected.
This has been an incredibly complex relationship, one that has constantly evolved and pitted people against birds of all kinds. And underlying the constant battles has been an ongoing effort to better understand the bird life of the Creston Valley.
Manager Tammy Bradford takes you on a journey through Creston’s history, illustrated with her own photos of local birds, with a special focus on our feathered friends…and enemies.
Saturday, July 6
1:00 – 2:00 PM
Creston Public Library
Admission is free!

Kids' Day 2024
2024-06-22 10:00 - 16:00 (America/Denver) | Creston Museum, 219 Devon Street, Creston, British Columbia, V0B 1G3, Canada
Kids’ Day is right around the corner!
A full day of fun and games, for the young and young-at-heart!
Join us for some returning “fan favorites”!
Like….

Ice cream making! (NEW AND IMPROVED)
Balloon shaving!
Lessons in the schoolhouse!

And our brand new game….

Mining for “silver”!

ADMISSION BY DONATION!
*All ages welcome!
*Saturday, June 22: 10am-4pm.

The Lure and the Lore of the Local
2024-05-04 13:00 - 2024-06-03 14:00 (America/Denver) | Creston & District Community Complex, 312-19th Avenue North, Creston, BC, Canada
Creston Museum, Creston Public Library, and Luanne Armstrong are teaming up to bring you a series of special presentations on local history! Creston is celebrating the hundredth anniversary of its incorporation this year, and that’s all the excuse we need!
The Creston Valley and Kootenay Lake are rich with stories: historical, prehistorical, and present day. Come and learn about where you live and how it became the place that it is. Geology, prehistory, the history of Kootenay Lake, stories of the Nasookin and other sternwheelers, the story of Creston becoming a town, are some of the topics that will be presented.
For the fourth instalment of this series, Michael Cone shares “The Canadian Pacific Railway’s Kootenay Landing Tug and Barge Service.” He will tell a story of hard-working tugs pushing railcar transfer barges between Kootenay Landing and Procter from 1898 until 1930. This daily service operated in all conditions despite the perils of ice, driftwood, low-water sandbars, blizzards and fog. In the wheelhouse, captains steered their course with little more than a compass, a clock, a few familiar landmarks, and most importantly their knowledge of the local terrains, winds, and currents.
Saturday, May 4, 1:00 PM in the Erickson Room at the Creston & District Community Complex

The line-up so far:
Saturday, February 3: Boom, Bust and Bar Rooms – the History of the Kokanee Inn with Tammy Bradford
Saturday, March 2: The History of Kootenay Lake with Luanne Armstrong
Saturday, April 6: The Bluebell Murder Trial with Louis Knafla.
Saturday, May 4: Kootenay Landing Tug and Barge Service with Michael Cone.
TBD: The Geology of the Valley with Wayne Choquette
TBD: The History, Culture and Stories of the Yaqan Nukiy with Chief Chris Luke Sr.
TBD: The Diking of the Creston Flats with Luanne Armstrong
TBD: Growing Up in Creston with a panel of long-time residents

Museum Clean-Up Day
2024-04-27 10:00 - 14:00 (America/Denver) | Creston Museum, 219 Devon Street, Creston, British Columbia, V0B 1G3, Canada
It’s that time of year again!
By which we mean, the end of April and the start of the Museum’s busy season…and we need to get the whole place clean and sparkling for our visitors!
Please join us for the Museum Clean-Up Day on Saturday, April 27, starting at 10:00 AM.
There’s lots to do, and something to suit everyone:

Dusting and sweeping floors, windowsills, shelves, and displays
Tidying up displays – straightening pictures, minor repairs, that sort of thing
Raking, weeding, and other yardwork
Power washing outdoor objects
Oiling the logging arch (that might take more than one day)
Et cetera, et cetera, et cetera (we’ll have a list!)

It’s a great way to go behind the scenes and get really hands-on with the Museum’s collections! Bring a friend, family, or the whole team…just please let us know in advance so we can make sure we have enough goodies. We provide coffee and goodies, of course!
We start at 10:00 AM, and go until we’re done. In past years, it’s taken two to three hours.
Please bring brooms, dustpans, buckets, soft rags, rakes, garden tools, or anything else you think you might need for whatever job you decide to do – we have a few to share, but more makes the work go faster!

Annual General Meeting
2024-04-13 14:00 - 15:00 (America/Denver) | Trinity United Church Hall, 128 - 10th Avenue North, Creston, BC, Canada
Join us on Saturday, April 13, for our Annual General Meeting!
In addition to a quick look at the past year, we’re working on a special announcement that you won’t want to miss!
Voting is open to all Historical Society members in good standing. If you have not yet renewed your membership for 2023, you can do that online here, by calling 250-428-9262, or by dropping into the Museum.

Annual General Meeting
Saturday, April 13
2:00 PM
Trinity United Church Hall

Agenda:
Call to Order / Adoption of Agenda
Approval of Minutes of 2023 AGM
President’s Report
Financial Report

Appointment of Auditors for 2024

Staff Reports
Business Arising from the Reports
Election of Board of Directors

Election of Officers

New Business
Adjournment

Annual Report Documents:
Minutes – AGM 2023
Annual Financial Statements 2023
President’s Report – AGM 2024
Manager’s Report – AGM 2024

100 Years of Ice Sports in the Creston Valley
2024-02-28 18:30 - 20:30 (America/Denver) | Creston & District Community Complex, 312-19th Avenue North, Creston, BC, Canada
Creston Museum, Creston Valley Minor Hockey Association, and several other partners are working on a potential new exhibit for at the Community Complex:
100 Years of Ice Sports in the Creston Valley
Hockey. Curling. Figure skating and fun skating. Broomball…and anything else that involves ice. We’d like to hear your stories and memories of the teams, the games, the coaches, the players, the rinks and arenas and frozen lakes and ponds – whatever you would like to share with us.
Join in the conversation! Our second community engagement session is at the Kootenay Room of the Creston & District Community Complex on Wednesday, February 28, from 6:30 to 8:30 PM. We’ll have a bunch of posters on all these topics to get your memories flowing…and pens and paper everywhere to write them down!
The goal is to create a permanent, physical exhibit at the Community Complex, so if you have local sports memorabilia and photographs you’d like to contribute, we’d love to know about that, too!
No RSVP necessary – just drop in!
(If you prefer a smaller or quieter or less crowded setting, just drop us a line or give us a call at the Museum – 250-428-9262 – and we’ll make the arrangements).

Exhibit Opening: 40 Years, 40 Voices
2023-05-20 12:30 - 17:00 (America/Denver) | Creston Museum, 219 Devon Street, Creston, British Columbia, V0B 1G3, Canada
The Creston Museum has been sharing the stories of the Creston Valley for forty years.
To celebrate, we’re opening a brand new, community-curated exhibit over Blossom Festival weekend!
Kader tells us about his first driving experience.
Aaron is sharing some of his unique artwork.
Anne describes her journey to Canada.
These are just a few examples of the many presentations people are creating for this community-curated exhibit. It also includes micro-exhibits about historic cultural communities in the Creston Valley: Sikh, Black, and Chinese communities, and a Japanese family forcibly relocated during World War II.
Opening to the public approximately 12:30 PM (following the Blossom Festival parade) on Saturday, May 20. It’s a feature throughout the Blossom Festival weekend, so come on down any time and check it out!

Blossom Fest
2023-05-19 10:00 - 2023-05-22 17:00 (America/Denver) | British Columbia
Of course we’re open for Blossom Fest!
Friday, May 19: 10:00 – 3:30
Saturday, May 20: After the parade (approximately 12:30) until 5:00. Watch for us in the parade…we’re planning something special again! Join us at approximately 12:30 for the public opening of our new exhibit, 40 Years, 40 Voices
Sunday, May 21: 10:00 – 5:00.
Monday, May 22: 10:00 – 5:00
Come check out our brand-new feature exhibit, “40 Years, 40 Voices”. It opens this weekend!

Creston's Great Duck Debate
2022-07-13 09:00 - 10:30 (America/Denver) | Creston Museum, 219 Devon Street, Creston, British Columbia, V0B 1G3, Canada
Imagine you are living in the Creston Valley in 1942 – and getting caught up in the hottest debate of the time: Should the flats west of Creston be reclaimed for farmland? Or should the natural marshes and lakes out there be left for the ducks?
In the Valley’s early settler history, the answer to that question was pretty much unanimous. But starting in 1942, the question of whether to continue reclamation centred on Duck Lake, the Valley’s last remaining area of natural wetlands – and suddenly things weren’t quite so unanimous anymore.
We created this special presentation for the 2022 Creston Valley Bird Festival. Everyone liked it so much we’ve been asked to give it again for members of the Festival committee who couldn’t attend the original – and we’re opening it up to everyone else! Join us on Wednesday, July 13 at 9:00 AM for an in-depth look at the history of reclamation, the preservation of wetlands for wildlife, and the fight over Duck Lake that marked the transition.
Admission by donation.

It's About Time
2022-06-09 18:00 - 19:00 (America/Denver) | Creston Museum, 219 Devon Street, Creston, British Columbia, V0B 1G3, Canada
Have you ever wished you could go back in time and meet some of the people who made important things happen? Well, now you can!

We are excited to announce that LiveHistory, a history-theatre production company, is visiting Creston on Thursday, June 9!

“It’s About Time” is an immersive theatrical virtual experience, taking audience members on a journey back to World War II. Once you step back in time, you will meet a mysterious character from the past, who welcomes you into her adventure. Through her questions, missions, and experiences, you will feel as if you have journeyed to the past, and find your place in history’s tale.

Join us on your own or with the whole family. Suitable for ages 8 and up. Bring a take-out dinner to enjoy beforehand – our patio, lawn and gazebo are open starting at 5:00! $5 per person; tickets available below or register by emailing tammy@crestonmuseum.ca or calling 250-428-9262.

Annual General Meeting
2022-04-22 16:00 - 17:00 (America/Denver) | Creston Museum, 219 Devon Street, Creston, British Columbia, V0B 1G3, Canada
Join us for our 2022 Annual General Meeting!
Friday, 22 April, 4:00 PM
Carr Building – Creston Museum
219 Devon Street, Creston BC

Agenda:
1 Call to Order / Adoption of Agenda
2. Approval of Minutes of 2021 AGM
3. President’s Report
4. Financial Report

Appointment of Auditors for 2021

5. Staff Reports
6. Business Arising from the Reports
7. Election of Board of Directors

Slate of Directors

8. New Business
9. Adjournment

It's About Time
2022-02-10 19:00 - 20:00 (America/Denver) | British Columbia
Have you ever wished you could go back in time and meet some of the people who made important things happen? Well, now you can!
The Creston Museum is partnering with LiveHistory to bring you: It’s About Time!
You’ll travel with Zoom back in time to meet an historic woman and experience for yourself the role she played in shaping history. Interact with her at a pivotal moment of her career, help her make the decisions that could change her life, then talk with her and other guests about the impacts of those choices.
Join us on your own or with the whole family. Suitable for ages 8 and up.
Buy your tickets below, and we’ll send you the Zoom link a few days before the show!
$5 per person; free for members and their guests! (Purchase your membership here, if you’re not one already)
Two shows:

Monday, February 7, 7:00 – 8:00 PM
Thursday, February 10, 7:00 – 8:00 PM

Spring Break at the Museum
2021-03-17 10:00 - 2021-03-27 15:00 (America/Denver) | Creston Museum, 219 Devon Street, Creston, British Columbia, V0B 1G3, Canada
Looking for something to do over Spring Break? We can help!
We’ll help you investigate the local story through guided explorations of the Museum’s exhibits, hands-on activities, and more!
We have several programs available, all adapted to COVID-safe protocols. Choose the one that strikes your fancy, then book a time slot that works for you – it’s exclusively for you and the people in your personal social bubble: Wednesday through Saturday, beginning anytime between 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM. Children must be accompanied by a parent or caregiver. Maximum six people per group, please; $20 per group.
To book: Contact us at 250-428-9262 or programs@crestonmuseum.ca. Advance booking required.

Scavenger Hunt: Everything’s connected, sometimes in surprising ways. Look for everything that’s on your list and explore the connections between them!
Playdough Cabin: Explore the challenges of building a home for yourself in the new communities of the Creston Valley – then try it yourself!
Butter-Making: Resourcefulness was the order of the day for the Valley’s first settlers – how are you at making the things you need?
Apple Packing: There’s a lot of work involved in raising fruit, especially in a new community! Can you handle it all?
A Lesson in the Schoolhouse: School today is very different from the way it was a century ago. Check it out for yourself!

Virtual Visits with Santa
2020-12-12 14:00 - 16:00 (America/Denver) | British Columbia
As it happens, Santa loves museums. It’s a little known fact, but they’re his favourite places to visit when he takes one of his rare vacations from the North Pole. So when Santa realised he couldn’t come to Creston in person this year to visit with all the good little girls and boys, he called us to ask if we could help him out. Of course we were happy to!
Virtual Visits with Santa
Saturday, December 12, 2020
2:00 – 4:00 PM
Call the Creston Museum at 250-428-9262 to sign up for a special personal visit with Santa on Saturday, December 12. Then, watch for an email from the Creston Museum (crestonmuseum@telus.net) that tells you how to join him on Zoom (Santa has recently discovered Zoom and he thinks it’s the greatest thing since sliced bread).
Donations are very much appreciated! All donations will be shared between the Creston Museum and PAWS (Santa loves animals, too, you know. How would he do his job without the reindeer to pull his sleigh?). You can make a donation with a credit card or etransfer when you call to sign up, or click here to go to our secure donations page at CanadaHelps.org. If you do that, though, please include a note that it’s for a visit with Santa, so we’ll know to share it with PAWS.
Don’t worry – COVID won’t keep Santa from making his rounds on Christmas Eve! He’s an essential service! He, Mrs. Claus, the elves, and the reindeer have been isolating themselves up there at the North Pole, making sure they all stay healthy and well so they can travel around the world delivering presents. You can follow him – and find lots of information and games – on NORAD’s Santa tracker website.

Annual General Meeting
2020-06-27 16:00 - 17:00 (America/Denver) | Creston Museum, 219 Devon Street, Creston, British Columbia, V0B 1G3, Canada
Now that social-distancing guidelines are starting to relax a bit, we’re able to turn our attention to some of the behind-the-scenes stuff that’s required for a non-profit organisation – including our Annual General Meeting.
It’s your chance to review the Board’s activities; we’ve got some exciting announcements to make; and you’re very welcome to explore the Museum and see some of the strategies we’re implementing to ensure all our visitors have an exciting and worthwhile experience, even in this new hands-off world. we hope you’ll join us!
Weather permitting, the AGM will be held outdoors, in the Museum’s courtyard, with plenty of space and fresh air for everyone. We hope you’ll join us and enjoy the Museum’s lovely gardens and patio while you’re at it! (rainy-day alternate is the Carr Building, on the Museum’s grounds, but we’re optimistic that June 27th will be a lovely sunny day!).
Annual General Meeting
Saturday, June 27
4:00 PM
Creston Museum
Agenda:
1. Call to Order / Adoption of Agenda
2. Approval of Minutes of 2019 AGM
3. President’s Report
4. Financial Report
a. Appointment of Auditors for 2020
5. Staff Reports
a. Manager
b. Program Co-ordinator
6. Business Arising from the Reports
7. Election of Board of Directors
a. Slate of Directors
8. New Business
a.
b.
9. Adjournment

Kids Day (Month)
2020-06-01 - 2020-06-30 | Creston Museum, 219 Devon Street, Creston, British Columbia, V0B 1G3, Canada
Welcome to Kids Day! (Month)
This is the first in a month long series of twice weekly activities/challenges hosted by the Creston Museum in lieu of our traditional Kids Day! To participate: Complete the challenge and share it with us!
All the challenges will be listed here on Mondays and Thursdays each week – scroll down to see them all!
To share your challenge with us: post it on our Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram using the hashtag #KidsDay; send us a photo via email; or bring your project to the Creston Museum (we’re open 10:00 – 4:00, Tuesday to Saturday).
CHALLENGE #4: INVENT A FOUR-INGREDIENT RECIPE
All throughout history, there have been times when money is tight, and food is short. So people had to get creative with what they had to eat!
Here is your challenge:

–> Invent a 4 ingredient recipe using ONLY things you have in your house. Don’t go to the store and buy anything! Any Spices other than salt and pepper count as an ingredient!

CHALLENGE #3: CROCHET THREE GRANNY SQUARES
Crocheting is the art of making a fabric through loops of yarn using a hook. It has many handy-dandy uses! You can make everything from clothes and slippers, to cloths, to blankets with it, much like knitting! Instead of using two needles, you use one hook.
A granny square is an easy way to piece together a larger blanket, one square at a time. Once you have enough squares for the size of blanket you want, you sew or crochet them all together. You can do the same colours of granny squares, or different colours; the same pattern, or different patterns!

(if you don’t know how to crochet, you can check out our how-to lesson on the Creston Museum Online Learning Center!)

CHALLENGE #2: MAKE AN OLD PIECE OF CLOTHING INTO SOMETHING NEW
Hand-me-downs and re-purposing have been essentials for as long as people have worn clothes! During the depression, when flour companies found out that people were making clothing for themselves and their children out of the 100-lb flour sacks, they started making them with prints on them!
Your challenge today:
–> Take clothing that you don’t wear anymore, or some clothes that are too big/too small, and turn them into something wearable!

CHALLENGE #1: BUILD A BIRDHOUSE WITHOUT USING WOOD!

Who doesn’t love to watch birds flying back and forth to their nests in the spring! But sometimes getting a wooden house kit isn’t the easiest, and not everybody can just make one. So here is your first challenge!
–> Build a birdhouse out of recycled material you can find around your house!
(Keep in mind, it has to be safe for the birdies so don’t use or decorate it with anything they can get caught or tangled in!)
(Photo courtesy Google Images)

The Night the High School Burned
2020-04-27 19:00 - 22:00 (America/Denver) | Tivoli Theatre, 1411 Canyon Street, Creston, British Columbia, V0B 1G0, Canada
On a Wednesday morning in April 1980, Leanne, a Grade 11 student at Prince Charles Secondary School, in Creston BC, called her friend. “Maureen,” she said, “there’s no school today.”
“Why not?” asked Maureen.
“Because there’s no school.”
At about 2:00 AM the night before, fire had broken out in the thirty-year-old building. Within an hour, the structure was fully engulfed and all firefighters could do was hose down nearby residences to keep them from catching fire. By dawn, the school – one of the finest in the Kootenays; home to award-winning band, drama, and art programs; producer of provincial championship sports teams; provider of a vast array of academic and trades programs – was gone.
The Creston Museum has film footage.
We’re marking the fortieth anniversary of the PCSS fire with a special presentation at the Tivoli Theatre.
It’s a double feature!
First on the bill: Hockey! Third period of a nail-biter Game 6 playoff matchup between the Creston Clippers and the Kimberley Knights!
Followed by The Night the High School Burned: historic photos of the school from its construction to the day it burned; highlights from its history; memories of students and teachers – and approximately twenty-five minutes of film footage of the fire that destroyed it all.
Doors open 6:30; show starts at 7:00. There will be a very brief AGM of the Creston & District Historical & Museum Society in between the two features.
Admission: Members of the Historical Society – by donation; Non-members $10. Admission includes pop or popcorn. Not a member? Sign up here!

Cultural Collaborators Meeting
2020-03-07 14:00 - 16:00 (America/Denver) | Creston Museum, 219 Devon Street, Creston, British Columbia, V0B 1G3, Canada
“Creating unity while embracing diversity and exercising patience with cultural adjustment.”
Do these words resonate with you? Then please join us for our second Creston Cultural Collaborators meeting on Saturday March 7.
This event will consist of a few exercises on collaboration, followed by a tour of the Creston Museum. We will also begin planning the new multicultural exhibit that will debut late summer!
As always, this event is free and open to the public. Dress warmly as the Museum can be a bit chilly this time of year.

Little Railroad Open House
2019-12-08 10:00 - 15:00 (America/Denver) | Creston Museum, 219 Devon Street, Creston, British Columbia, V0B 1G3, Canada
The Model Railway at the Creston Museum is always a hit with the youngsters.
The trains are running! The model railway’s trains at the Creston Museum, that is!
The Seventh Siding Trackers Model Railway Club at the Creston Museum has been busily upgrading tracks and adding details – and now they’re hosting a special pre-Christmas Open House so you can check it out!
Sunday, December 8
10:00 – 3:00 PM
Admission free – but donations are very much appreciated!
Interested in joining the club and trying your hand/getting back into/doing more model railroading? The members of the Club will be glad to fill you in!

History Mystery Play-Time
2019-12-07 14:00 - 16:00 (America/Denver) | Creston Museum, 219 Devon Street, Creston, British Columbia, V0B 1G3, Canada
Here at the Creston Museum, we’re always receiving new donations of stuff connected to local history.
One of our most recent donations is a collections of several dozen photographs, all from the 1940s to 1960s, and most of them we haven’t been able to identify.
Like this one:

I have to admit, this one’s intriguing! Look at the size of that parade – on an evidently cold winter’s day! And all the signs encouraging people to come out and cheer while Creston thoroughly trounced Kimberley at…something. But what? What was the event? And what on earth was going on between Creston and Kimberley to inspire the kind of rivalry that this photo suggests?
We’d like to invite you to check out these photos – and if you can tell us something about what’s happening in them, we’d sure love to hear it!
History Mystery Play-Time
Saturday, December 7
2:00 – 4:00 PM
In the Archives building at the Creston Museum
219 Devon Street, Creston BC
Admission by donation

Sneak preview and free admission (with coffee and cookies!) exclusively for members of the Creston Museum: 12:00 – 2:00 PM

A Harvest of History
2019-09-24 17:30 - 20:00 (America/Denver) | Wynndel Community Centre Basement
Something for all ages – a chance to meet neighbours, and have fun learning about life through the years in Wynndel. Please bring along any items or photos relating to harvests through the years, up to today!

ArtiFACT or ArtiFICTION? - CANCELLED
2019-08-31 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Denver) | Creston Museum, 219 Devon Street, Creston, British Columbia, V0B 1G3, Canada
We’re sorry – due to unforeseen circumstances, this event has been cancelled. watch for it next summer, though!
Come test your intuition at our summer close out evening event! Several special artifacts will be pulled from storage, and their stories posted along with them. The catch? Figure out it the story is an ArtiFACT, or ArtiFICTION. Guess correctly, and you could walk away with a prize!
Tickets are $15 for Members, and $20 for Non-Members. This includes event admission, refreshments, and appetizers.
Don’t miss out on our Event Ticket GIVEAWAY for a chance to win 2 free tickets to ArtiFACT or ArtiFICTION! Details posted on our Facebook Page . Contest ends Saturday August 24th.
