Upcoming Events at the Museum
20th Annual Antiques & Collectibles Sale: October 14-15 at the Fort St. John Legion
Join antique dealers from British Columbia and Alberta at the 20th Annual Antique, Art and Collectibles Sale at the Fort St. John Legion (10103 – 105 Ave). Our Alaska Highway Calendars will be for sale there as well. Small admission charge goes toward the North Peace Historical Society and the operation of the Fort St. John North Peace Museum. Sale takes place Friday, October 14 from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday, October 15 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Documentary Night: The Best of Rudy Schubert: Friday, November 18 at 7 p.m. at the Fort St. John North Peace Museum
Remember how we hosted two nights showing Rudy Schubert’s film clips of Fort St. John in the 1950s and 1960s? Well this is a showing of the best parts of those films – the collapse of the Peace River Bridge, Princess Margaret’s visit, and the rodeos. Mark your calendars and stay tuned for more information next month.
Current Temporary Exhibits
Making a Splash: Swimming in the North Peace: Take a plunge and find out about swimming in the North Peace from local lakes and rivers to the first pools in Fort St. John. It was a rough road to get some of our pools up and operating smoothly. This exhibit is on display at the North Peace Airport and is free to the public.
“Damn Tough Going” Historic Trails of the North Peace Exhibit: Discover the historic trails of the North Peace from the Klondike Gold Rush to the Bedaux Expedition. Our newest permanent exhibit examines the 1898 Klondike Gold Rush trails, the 1898 RNWMP Trail, the 1905 NWMP Trail, the Fort St. John – Dunvegan Trail, the Fort Nelson Trail, and the Bedaux Expedition Trails. Experience life on these trails through photographs, artefacts, maps, and travellers’ recollections. Come see our ¾ size replica of a Fort Nelson Sleigh.
The Spread of Aviation to the North: History of the Fort St. John Airport and Its Community: Summer student Ezra Lainsbury has developed an exhibit on aviation in Fort St. John. Come learn about the humble beginnings of our current airport and what it was like to live in the airport community. This exhibit will be on display until next May.
What’s New in the Museum Gift Shop?
Looking for something to do as the weather gets colder? Slip your feet into your moose or bear slippers (also available in our gift shop) and take out your Fort St. Johnopoly (Monopoly featuring Fort St. John businesses) and have a rousing game. Get your copy today for only $19.95 plus tax.
As the year end gets closer, you’ll also need a new calendar. Check out our 2017 calendar entitled Miles and Miles of Miles and Miles: Celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the Building of the Alaska Highway. This calendar looks back at the construction of and early travel along the highway. Best of all it features historic photographs by Rudy Schubert, photographer for the 341st Engineers who later settled in Fort St. John. This calendar features loads of history, interesting facts about the highway, and amazing historical photos. It’s yours for only $15 including tax! It makes a fabulous gift as well.
Archives & Collections
We’ve been making some field trips out to see some large artifacts recently. We are shortly going to add a 1950 Chevy truck (sold from Bowes & Herron Garage); a root harrow, a root grader, some Pacific Petroleum well signs from the Hadland farm; and an pump organ (which still works) from the Montney Lutheran Church into our collection. We always take more time considering large artifacts as it can be trickier to store, exhibit, and care for them. They must have a really strong history of use in this area to meet our mandate.