The Golden Museum opened its doors to the public on June 1st, 1974. The Golden and District Historical Society, founded in March 1969, held various fundraisers, including a walk-a-thon from Parson to Golden to gather the money needed to house Golden’s history.
It only took a year to raise enough funds to build two end-to-end Quonset huts, and in 1970, they began building the structure that would eventually house the museum. However, money was still tight, so the Society decided to rent the structure for several years to ensure enough funds to operate the museum properly.
The original opening drew a crowd of almost 200 people. It included speeches from the Mayor, the Provincial Museums Advisor, the MLA, and several prominent members of the Historical Society, including Cecil Parson, Bill Wenman, and Ethel King. The first visitors examined a collection of almost 500 items donated by Mr. Bill Wenman that were collected from around the Globe. That first year, the museum remained open from Monday to Friday throughout the summer. This would be how the museum operated for decades after its establishment.
Over the years, the Golden Museum has grown, and operations have changed a little. Recognizing the value of paper records, former Curator and Executive Director Colleen Palumbo spearheaded the development of the archival collection. In 2011, a fireproof vault was installed to house the Archival Collection, a project supported by community members and the Columbia Basin Trust. Colleen also worked with the board to extend the operating hours. The museum is now open year-round during weekdays, with extended summer hours. This year, summer hours begin on May 21st, and the museum is open 7 days a week from 10 to 5 pm.
Our programming has also expanded with community-focused programs and events, including travelling exhibits, Canada Day celebrations, the Fall Faire, and our summer camp program, Takin’ It Back to the Future. Museum staff feared for the camp program due to dwindling government funding. After announcing the camp’s plight on social media, the community rallied together, voicing support for the program and disappointment at its cancellation. The Golden and District Community Foundation recognized the need for the Museum’s camp program.
It came forward to provide a grant allowing the Museum to offer the program with minimal fee increases and no cuts to the activities and services provided. The museum staff and the Golden and District Historical Society are grateful for this funding. Summer Camp registration opens on May 21st. For inquiries, please get in touch with the Golden Museum.
Other projects on the go right now include a grounds revitalization and the Old CPR Station project. Proposals for a Condition Report and Feasibility Study on the Station are currently being reviewed, which is the next step. To help fund this project, the Museum is hosting an online Auction leading up to our 50th anniversary. The Auction starts on May 20th and ends on May 31st.
So far, the museum has received some amazing donations from our community, including cash donations from CVCU and Dogtooth Construction and items like a helicopter site sightseeing tour, gift baskets, and gift certificates to local businesses. Check out the approximately $6000 worth of items donated when the Auction goes live!
This year, on Saturday, June 1st, the Golden Museum and Archives is hosting a 50th Anniversary Barbecue, with support from the Rotary Club. Please join us from 4:00 – 7:00 PM, grab a burger from the famous Rotary Barbecue, and enjoy some live music by Slade Lake, Katie Martha and the Other Guys, and the Jumping Rodents.
