The Okanagan area has over 35 different museums, reflecting its location in the West Coast, and the confluence of Indian heritage, European settlement and agriculture. These museums are listed in a rough north-to south order:
Kamloops Museum & Archives
207 Seymour St
Kamloops
250-828-3576
The museum portrays the area’s history, including Indian culture, a reconstructed Hudson’s Bay fur trading cabin, pioneer artifacts, transportation items, and natural history specimens.
Rocky Mountain Rangers Museum and Archives
1221 McGill Rd
(JR Vicars Armoury, Box 3250)
Kamloops
250-372-7424
Museum of this regiment is located inside the JR Vicars Armoury, a fully operational army reserve regiment.
Secwepemc Native Heritage Park
# 311-355 Yellowhead Highway
Kamloops, BC, V2H 1H1
250-828-9781
This museum (pronounced “she-kwe-pem”)interprets the history of the Secwepemc or Kamloops people and sits on their reserve on the banks of the South Thompson River. The Kamloops band is one of 17 that make up the Secwepemc Indians, which have occupied the territory between the Rockies and the Fraser for over 4,000 years. There is a museum, a full-scale reconstruction of a traditional Shuswap winter village in five different historical periods, and a 2,400 year old archaeological site. Native song, dance and theatre for part of the visitor experience.
Revelstoke Railway Museum
719 Track St W
Revelstoke
250-837-6060
This museum tells the story of those who maintain and worked the railroad between Field and Kamloops. With special emphasis on the steam era on the 1940s and 1950s. On display are the engine 5468, a Mikado P2, Business Car No 4 (once a Cape Humber solarium car).
RJ Haney Heritage House and Park
97B, 4 km east of Salmon Arm
Salmon Arm
250-832-5843
This heritage exhibit includes the 1918 North Broadview schoolhouse, Salmon Arms’ original fire hall, the 1911 Mt Ida church and several farm buildings, managed by the Salmon Arm Museum and Heritage Association. Marjorie’t Team Room is on a lower floor for refreshments and light lunches.
Haney House Salmon Arm Museum
751 Grindrod-Salmon Arm Hwy.
Salmon Arm
(250) 832-5243
Rocky Mountain Rangers Museum and Archives
1221 McGill Rd
Salmon Arm
250-372-7424
Museum of this regiment is located inside the JR Vicars Armoury, a fully operational army reserve regiment.
Eagle Valley Museum and Heritage Society
In Finlayson Park
Sicamous
250-836-4635
Exhibits of native, railway, and settlers history and artifacts. Open late June to late August.
Armstrong Spallumcheen Museum & Art Gallery
3415 Pleasant Valley Rd.
Armstrong
(250) 546-8318
Area history is featured in exhibits that highlight the railway, agriculture and turn-of-the-century settlers. Open Thursday to Monday from June through September, an weekends in winter.
Enderby & District Museum Society
619 Cliff Ave.
Enderby
(250) 838-7170
Open Monday to Saturday, featuring local history and community artists.
Falkland Heritage Park Museum & Archives
5657 Kamloops-Vernon Hwy.
Falkland
(250) 379-2535
O’Keefe Historical Ranch and Interior Heritage Society
about 13 kilometres north on highway 97, west of the 97A junction after Swan Lake
Vernon
250-542-7868
This ranch, on the northern tip of Okanagan Lake was one of the first ranches in the area, founded in 1867 by Cornelius O’Keefe. The 8,094 hectare ranch became a major cattle operation, and the historic ranch site includes a Roman Catholic church, a general store a post office, the O’Keefe Mansion, and the Cowboy Ranching Gallery, which is a museum with old cowboy gear including guns and saddles.
Greater Vernon Museum & Archives
Civic Centre Complex. 3009-32 Ave
Vernon
250-542-3142
Located in the Civic Centre, the Greater Vernon Museum and Archives presents the history of the North Okanagan through streetscapes, dioramas, and changing exhibits. Highlights include the Allan Brooks Gallery, military displays, natural history specimens, native artifacts, and an extensive archival collection. The gift shop specializes in books on antiques and local history plus unique jewellery. Wheelchair accessible.
Interior Space & Science Centre
2704 Highway 6.
Vernon
(250) 545-3644
This museum not only includes a mini planetarium, but also optical illusions, and explains the science and technology behind the energy and forestry industries. Open 10 am to 5 pm, Tuesday through Sundays.
Lumby Museum
1785 Glencaird.
Lumby
(250) 547-9539
This museum, east of Vernon, showcases the area’s history
Lake Country Heritage & Cultural Society
11255 W Okanagan Centre Rd.
Winfield
(250) 766-0111
Wine Museum The
1304 Ellis.
Kelowna
(250) 868-0441
Kelowna Centennial Museum
470 Queensway Ave
Kelowna
250-763-2417
This museum displays items explaining the area’s natural history and human inhabitation, including fossils, Indian arts and crafts, a Chinese store, an 1861 trading post, Kelowna’s first radio station, and a subterranean home.
BC Orchard Industry Museum
1304 Ellis St
Kelowna
250-763-0433
This museum traces the development of the orchard industry in BC, with displays that explain the process from planting to processing and preparing. Open Monday – Saturday in July & August. Also the site of the Apple Fair in September.
Okanagan Military Museum Society
4 1304 Ellis St.
Kelowna
(250) 763-9292
Oliver Heritage Society Museum
9728 356 Ave
250-498-4027
Exhibits cover the range of the areas flora and fauna as well as the mining history reflected in the nearby
Westbank Museum
past Brown St, on southbound highway 97
Westbank
250-768-0110
This museum is also the town’s information centre.
Peachland Museum
5890 Beach.
Peachland
(250) 767-3441
Silver Lake Forestry Centre
16 km west on Brenda Mine Rd (right fork), off Princeton Ave
Peachland
250-717-0033
This centre, managed by the The Silver Lake Forest Education Society, houses forestry artifacts, including construction, harvesting, logging, and firefighting.
Summerland Museum
9521 Wharton St
Summerland
250-494-9395
This local museum is open afternoons year-round with extended tours in July and August. There is an art gallery above the museum selling works by local artists.
Art Gallery Of The South Okanagan
199 Front.
Penticton
(250) 493-2928
Bill Barlee’s Museum of the Old West
954 Eckhardt Ave
Penticton
250-492-5116
This museum contains artifacts focusing on BC’s mining, ghost town, and old west heritage
R.N. Atkinson Penticton Museum
785 Main Street
Penticton
250-492-6025
This museum showcase the natural and social history of the southern Okanagan.
Okanagan Falls Heritage Museum & Bassett House
1145 Main St., Okanagan Falls, V0H 1R0
(South end of Okanagan Falls on Highway 87)
(778) 931-0839
This house was ordered from the 1909 Eaton catalogue and features the restored residence of the pioneer Bassett family.
Oliver Heritage Society Museum
9728 356 Ave
Oliver
250-498-4027
Exhibits cover the range of the areas flora and fauna as well as the mining history reflected in the nearby Fairview gold mining settlement
Similkameen Valley Museum
Main Street, 2nd floor of Lower Similkameen Band Office
Keremeos
250-499-5528
This museum highlights the history and traditions of the local indigenous peoples and includes tools, dance costumes and photos.
South Similkameen Museum
6th Ave & 6th St
Keremeos
This museum is located in the former Provincial Police office and jail ad includes various police uniforms and pioneer artifacts. Open 9 am to 5 pm may through October.
Princeton and District Pioneer Museum
167 Vermillion Ave
Princeton
250-295-7588
Artifacts on display include a Welby Stage Coach, farm equipment, and furnishings and clothing from pioneers, Interior Salish natives and Chinese immigrants. There are also fossil and mineral exhibits connecting with the area’s mining history.
Nicola Valley Museum and Archives
Nicola Valley Museum & Archives PO Box 1262, 2201 Coldwater Ave
Merritt, BC, V1K 1B8
(250) 378-4145
History of the Nicola Valley and Craigmont Mine, as well as information about area coal mining, ranching and the area natives.