The Gabriola Historical & Museum Society

The Museum is a unique place to provide valuable insight into our ancestors and resources in a fascinating range of subjects. It tells the stories of the people who built and are building this Island and its First Nations legacy. We also celebrate and preserve our diverse cultural heritage, and help foster mutual understanding, cooperation and peace amongst the peoples of this Island.

The Gabriola Historical Museum Society mission;

Is to foster and develop the interests of Gabriola residents, visitors and other institutions in the Island's cultural and natural history. To tell the story of Gabriola island's geology, geography, flora, fauna and marine environment and life through exhibits, lectures or other means with emphasis on the way which the Coast Salish people, Euraopean explorers, post contact pioneers and recent inhabitants have related to its natural setting and earlier history.

This is a non-profit volunteer-run community museum.

President address

Dear Members of the Gabriola Historical and Museum Society,

The year 2009 was a remarkable year of growth for the Museum and Society. Increased hours of operation, Farmer’s Market and event presence combined with entertaining and informative presentations have played a major role in bring the museum to the people and visitors of Gabriola Island.
These are the events we see. It is the growth within the Museum I would like to share, in particular, our acquisition and installation of a new, state of the art, museum specific computer program. We received a Student Grant for a Research Assistant to collate and catalogue all acquisitions and accessions contained within the museum, thereby providing quick and accurate retrieval of information and artifacts.,br> Over the past year the numbers of hits on our ever-growing website has jumped dramatically, with information and inquires coming from all corners of the globe. From connecting descendents of the early settlers to acquiring new information/stories of the 20s,30s ,40s, etc., we find ourselves more busy than ever. We continue to enhance our current displays while developing concepts for new and innovative forms of presentation.
Fundraising in 2009 was well supported due to your contributions to our Easter Basket draw, meat draws, presentations, as well as your membership, museum visits and donations.
This year the museum celebrates its 15th Anniversary. With all the renewed interest and projects being discussed for 2010, we encourage you to attend your Annual General Meeting to be held at the Women’s Institute on Tuesday, Feb. 16 at 7:00pm. This is also the time of year we ask members to renew their membership by completing the attached form and mailing it back to the museum. We start off the New Year with a special SHALE EVENT, to be held at the Roxy on Tuesday, January 26, 7-9pm.

It has been a wonderful year and we look forward to seeing you at the AGM, visiting the museum and island events.

Mary Wohlleben

President

Gabriola Museum and Historical Society