Events List Navigation
August 2018
Historic Walking Tour: Fernie At War
Fernie entered the First World War in 1914 with optimism and a sense of national pride. Five years later, it emerged having experienced staggering losses and multiple controversies that threatened to tear the community apart. Fernie was profoundly affected by conflicting impulses of labour, loyalty, and ethnicity. Demands for internment of enemy aliens, resistance to prohibition and moral reform, the consequences of natural and man-made disasters, the unprecedented banning of recruitment, and the western labour revolt were all issues that…
Historic Walking Tour: The 1908 Great Fire
On the surface, Fernie might seem like any mountain town: beautiful vistas, interesting shops, and over 90 accessible hiking and biking trails. But if you dig a little deeper, you will discover a rich and dramatic history. In 1908, the mines of the Elk Valley were booming. Fernie, as a thriving regional hub, had grown to a population of nearly 6,000 people from nearly every corner of the world. On August 1, 1908 tragedy again struck this mining community. In…
Historic Walking Tour: Fernie At War
Fernie entered the First World War in 1914 with optimism and a sense of national pride. Five years later, it emerged having experienced staggering losses and multiple controversies that threatened to tear the community apart. Fernie was profoundly affected by conflicting impulses of labour, loyalty, and ethnicity. Demands for internment of enemy aliens, resistance to prohibition and moral reform, the consequences of natural and man-made disasters, the unprecedented banning of recruitment, and the western labour revolt were all issues that…
Historic Walking Tour: Fernie At War
Fernie entered the First World War in 1914 with optimism and a sense of national pride. Five years later, it emerged having experienced staggering losses and multiple controversies that threatened to tear the community apart. Fernie was profoundly affected by conflicting impulses of labour, loyalty, and ethnicity. Demands for internment of enemy aliens, resistance to prohibition and moral reform, the consequences of natural and man-made disasters, the unprecedented banning of recruitment, and the western labour revolt were all issues that…
Historic Walking Tour: The 1908 Great Fire
On the surface, Fernie might seem like any mountain town: beautiful vistas, interesting shops, and over 90 accessible hiking and biking trails. But if you dig a little deeper, you will discover a rich and dramatic history. In 1908, the mines of the Elk Valley were booming. Fernie, as a thriving regional hub, had grown to a population of nearly 6,000 people from nearly every corner of the world. On August 1, 1908 tragedy again struck this mining community. In…
Historic Walking Tour: Rum Running and Whiskey Six
On the surface, Fernie might seem like any mountain town: beautiful vistas, interesting shops, and over 90 accessible hiking and biking trails. But if you dig a little deeper, you will discover a rich and dramatic history. Discover the story of the three larger-than-life king-pin Rum Runners – Emilio Picariello, Jack Wilson and Mark Rogers – who ruled the illicit liquor trade from Lethbridge to Fernie down as far as Spokane, Washington.
Historic Walking Tour: Rum Running and Whiskey Six
On the surface, Fernie might seem like any mountain town: beautiful vistas, interesting shops, and over 90 accessible hiking and biking trails. But if you dig a little deeper, you will discover a rich and dramatic history. Discover the story of the three larger-than-life king-pin Rum Runners – Emilio Picariello, Jack Wilson and Mark Rogers – who ruled the illicit liquor trade from Lethbridge to Fernie down as far as Spokane, Washington.
Historic Walking Tour: Fernie At War
Fernie entered the First World War in 1914 with optimism and a sense of national pride. Five years later, it emerged having experienced staggering losses and multiple controversies that threatened to tear the community apart. Fernie was profoundly affected by conflicting impulses of labour, loyalty, and ethnicity. Demands for internment of enemy aliens, resistance to prohibition and moral reform, the consequences of natural and man-made disasters, the unprecedented banning of recruitment, and the western labour revolt were all issues that…
Historic Walking Tour: The 1908 Great Fire
On the surface, Fernie might seem like any mountain town: beautiful vistas, interesting shops, and over 90 accessible hiking and biking trails. But if you dig a little deeper, you will discover a rich and dramatic history. In 1908, the mines of the Elk Valley were booming. Fernie, as a thriving regional hub, had grown to a population of nearly 6,000 people from nearly every corner of the world. On August 1, 1908 tragedy again struck this mining community. In…
Historic Walking Tour: Fernie At War
Fernie entered the First World War in 1914 with optimism and a sense of national pride. Five years later, it emerged having experienced staggering losses and multiple controversies that threatened to tear the community apart. Fernie was profoundly affected by conflicting impulses of labour, loyalty, and ethnicity. Demands for internment of enemy aliens, resistance to prohibition and moral reform, the consequences of natural and man-made disasters, the unprecedented banning of recruitment, and the western labour revolt were all issues that…
Historic Walking Tour: Fernie At War
Fernie entered the First World War in 1914 with optimism and a sense of national pride. Five years later, it emerged having experienced staggering losses and multiple controversies that threatened to tear the community apart. Fernie was profoundly affected by conflicting impulses of labour, loyalty, and ethnicity. Demands for internment of enemy aliens, resistance to prohibition and moral reform, the consequences of natural and man-made disasters, the unprecedented banning of recruitment, and the western labour revolt were all issues that…
Historic Walking Tour: The 1908 Great Fire
On the surface, Fernie might seem like any mountain town: beautiful vistas, interesting shops, and over 90 accessible hiking and biking trails. But if you dig a little deeper, you will discover a rich and dramatic history. In 1908, the mines of the Elk Valley were booming. Fernie, as a thriving regional hub, had grown to a population of nearly 6,000 people from nearly every corner of the world. On August 1, 1908 tragedy again struck this mining community. In…
Historic Walking Tour: Rum Running and Whiskey Six
On the surface, Fernie might seem like any mountain town: beautiful vistas, interesting shops, and over 90 accessible hiking and biking trails. But if you dig a little deeper, you will discover a rich and dramatic history. Discover the story of the three larger-than-life king-pin Rum Runners – Emilio Picariello, Jack Wilson and Mark Rogers – who ruled the illicit liquor trade from Lethbridge to Fernie down as far as Spokane, Washington.
Historic Walking Tour: Rum Running and Whiskey Six
On the surface, Fernie might seem like any mountain town: beautiful vistas, interesting shops, and over 90 accessible hiking and biking trails. But if you dig a little deeper, you will discover a rich and dramatic history. Discover the story of the three larger-than-life king-pin Rum Runners – Emilio Picariello, Jack Wilson and Mark Rogers – who ruled the illicit liquor trade from Lethbridge to Fernie down as far as Spokane, Washington.
Historic Walking Tour: Fernie At War
Fernie entered the First World War in 1914 with optimism and a sense of national pride. Five years later, it emerged having experienced staggering losses and multiple controversies that threatened to tear the community apart. Fernie was profoundly affected by conflicting impulses of labour, loyalty, and ethnicity. Demands for internment of enemy aliens, resistance to prohibition and moral reform, the consequences of natural and man-made disasters, the unprecedented banning of recruitment, and the western labour revolt were all issues that…
Historic Walking Tour: The 1908 Great Fire
On the surface, Fernie might seem like any mountain town: beautiful vistas, interesting shops, and over 90 accessible hiking and biking trails. But if you dig a little deeper, you will discover a rich and dramatic history. In 1908, the mines of the Elk Valley were booming. Fernie, as a thriving regional hub, had grown to a population of nearly 6,000 people from nearly every corner of the world. On August 1, 1908 tragedy again struck this mining community. In…
Historic Walking Tour: Fernie At War
Fernie entered the First World War in 1914 with optimism and a sense of national pride. Five years later, it emerged having experienced staggering losses and multiple controversies that threatened to tear the community apart. Fernie was profoundly affected by conflicting impulses of labour, loyalty, and ethnicity. Demands for internment of enemy aliens, resistance to prohibition and moral reform, the consequences of natural and man-made disasters, the unprecedented banning of recruitment, and the western labour revolt were all issues that…
Historic Walking Tour: Fernie At War
Fernie entered the First World War in 1914 with optimism and a sense of national pride. Five years later, it emerged having experienced staggering losses and multiple controversies that threatened to tear the community apart. Fernie was profoundly affected by conflicting impulses of labour, loyalty, and ethnicity. Demands for internment of enemy aliens, resistance to prohibition and moral reform, the consequences of natural and man-made disasters, the unprecedented banning of recruitment, and the western labour revolt were all issues that…
Historic Walking Tour: The 1908 Great Fire
On the surface, Fernie might seem like any mountain town: beautiful vistas, interesting shops, and over 90 accessible hiking and biking trails. But if you dig a little deeper, you will discover a rich and dramatic history. In 1908, the mines of the Elk Valley were booming. Fernie, as a thriving regional hub, had grown to a population of nearly 6,000 people from nearly every corner of the world. On August 1, 1908 tragedy again struck this mining community. In…
Historic Walking Tour: Rum Running and Whiskey Six
On the surface, Fernie might seem like any mountain town: beautiful vistas, interesting shops, and over 90 accessible hiking and biking trails. But if you dig a little deeper, you will discover a rich and dramatic history. Discover the story of the three larger-than-life king-pin Rum Runners – Emilio Picariello, Jack Wilson and Mark Rogers – who ruled the illicit liquor trade from Lethbridge to Fernie down as far as Spokane, Washington.
September 2018
Historic Walking Tour: Rum Running and Whiskey Six
On the surface, Fernie might seem like any mountain town: beautiful vistas, interesting shops, and over 90 accessible hiking and biking trails. But if you dig a little deeper, you will discover a rich and dramatic history. Discover the story of the three larger-than-life king-pin Rum Runners – Emilio Picariello, Jack Wilson and Mark Rogers – who ruled the illicit liquor trade from Lethbridge to Fernie down as far as Spokane, Washington.
Historic Walking Tour: Fernie At War
Fernie entered the First World War in 1914 with optimism and a sense of national pride. Five years later, it emerged having experienced staggering losses and multiple controversies that threatened to tear the community apart. Fernie was profoundly affected by conflicting impulses of labour, loyalty, and ethnicity. Demands for internment of enemy aliens, resistance to prohibition and moral reform, the consequences of natural and man-made disasters, the unprecedented banning of recruitment, and the western labour revolt were all issues that…
Historic Walking Tour: The 1908 Great Fire
On the surface, Fernie might seem like any mountain town: beautiful vistas, interesting shops, and over 90 accessible hiking and biking trails. But if you dig a little deeper, you will discover a rich and dramatic history. In 1908, the mines of the Elk Valley were booming. Fernie, as a thriving regional hub, had grown to a population of nearly 6,000 people from nearly every corner of the world. On August 1, 1908 tragedy again struck this mining community. In…
Historic Walking Tour: Fernie At War
Fernie entered the First World War in 1914 with optimism and a sense of national pride. Five years later, it emerged having experienced staggering losses and multiple controversies that threatened to tear the community apart. Fernie was profoundly affected by conflicting impulses of labour, loyalty, and ethnicity. Demands for internment of enemy aliens, resistance to prohibition and moral reform, the consequences of natural and man-made disasters, the unprecedented banning of recruitment, and the western labour revolt were all issues that…
Historic Walking Tour: Fernie At War
Fernie entered the First World War in 1914 with optimism and a sense of national pride. Five years later, it emerged having experienced staggering losses and multiple controversies that threatened to tear the community apart. Fernie was profoundly affected by conflicting impulses of labour, loyalty, and ethnicity. Demands for internment of enemy aliens, resistance to prohibition and moral reform, the consequences of natural and man-made disasters, the unprecedented banning of recruitment, and the western labour revolt were all issues that…
Historic Walking Tour: The 1908 Great Fire
On the surface, Fernie might seem like any mountain town: beautiful vistas, interesting shops, and over 90 accessible hiking and biking trails. But if you dig a little deeper, you will discover a rich and dramatic history. In 1908, the mines of the Elk Valley were booming. Fernie, as a thriving regional hub, had grown to a population of nearly 6,000 people from nearly every corner of the world. On August 1, 1908 tragedy again struck this mining community. In…
Historic Walking Tour: Rum Running and Whiskey Six
On the surface, Fernie might seem like any mountain town: beautiful vistas, interesting shops, and over 90 accessible hiking and biking trails. But if you dig a little deeper, you will discover a rich and dramatic history. Discover the story of the three larger-than-life king-pin Rum Runners – Emilio Picariello, Jack Wilson and Mark Rogers – who ruled the illicit liquor trade from Lethbridge to Fernie down as far as Spokane, Washington.
That Never Happpened | Director’s Dinner
On October 21, 1918, the Morrissey Internment Camp closed, bringing an end to one of the Elk Valley’s darkest chapters. On October 21, 2018 – 100 years ago to the day – a series of events will be held to commemorate the closing of the camp. DINNER | Following the film, join us for a Ukrainian dinner at the Fernie Legion followed by talk and discussion with the film’s director and a panel of experts to discuss how as a…
Pride and Paint
In preparation for the exhibit Bent on Art, the Fernie Museum will host a night of creativity and carousing as members of Fernie’s LGBTQ community gather to express their queer identity through art. The works created will be shown as part of the Above Ground pop-up exhibit hosted by the Fernie Museum from September 27 to October 14 and later be available to take home. No previous artistic experience is required! Our artist-in-residence for the night will be Dan Whillans,…
Bent On Art | Exhibit Opening
Join the Fernie Museum for a wine and cheese reception to preview Bent on Art, a pop-up exhibit featuring the work of queer artists from the East and West Kootenays. The exhibit is hosted in collaboration with Fernie Pride for the Elk Valley Pride Festival. Admission is free. Mature themes.
October 2018
FUZE: Pride Party
An after-dark evening of art, music, self-expression and fun. Live performance art, Bent on Art exhibit, appetizers, cash bar and 2 floors of music with guest DJs Goffles Waffles and Marty Funkhauser for dancing until 1am. Join the Kootenay GSD community for an interactive evening of queer culture, low lights, and dance music late into the night. Guest DJs: Goffles Waffles and Must be 19+ to participate.
Historic Walking Tour: Fernie At War
Fernie entered the First World War in 1914 with optimism and a sense of national pride. Five years later, it emerged having experienced staggering losses and multiple controversies that threatened to tear the community apart. Fernie was profoundly affected by conflicting impulses of labour, loyalty, and ethnicity. Demands for internment of enemy aliens, resistance to prohibition and moral reform, the consequences of natural and man-made disasters, the unprecedented banning of recruitment, and the western labour revolt were all issues that…
Archaeology of Internment: The Morrissey WWI Camp
The Morrissey WWI Internment Camp is located in southeastern British Columbia, Canada. The internment camp was in operation from September 28, 1915 to October 21, 1918 and is one of 24 internment camps that housed 8,579 German and Austro-Hungarian prisoners of war (PoW) on Canadian soil during WWI. Of the 8,579 prisoners, only 3000 could be loosely regarded as true military PoWs – the remaining were civilian but classified in the same manner in order to legitimize forced labour. Division…
That Never Happened | Movie
On October 21, 1918, the Morrissey Internment Camp closed, bringing an end to one of the Elk Valley’s darkest chapters. On October 21, 2018 – 100 years ago to the day – a series of events will be held to commemorate the closing of the camp. MOVIE | Armistice Films and the Fernie Museum, in partnership with the Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund, will show the documentary That Never Happened at the Vogue Theatre from 5:00 to 6:15…
That Never Happened | Director’s Dinner
On October 21, 1918, the Morrissey Internment Camp closed, bringing an end to one of the Elk Valley’s darkest chapters. On October 21, 2018 – 100 years ago to the day – a series of events will be held to commemorate the closing of the camp. DINNER | Following the film, join us for a Ukrainian dinner at the Fernie Legion followed by talk and discussion with the film’s director and a panel of experts to discuss how as a…
November 2018
Perfect Line | Exhibit Opening
Join artist Gordon Milne for the opening of the Fernie Museum’s winter exhibit, Perfect Line. Over a period of 18 years, Gordon Milne has attended company class each week to draw the dancers of Alberta Ballet. This ongoing relationship has inspired a very distinctive feel to his drawings and paintings celebrating movement in dance. The exhibit features numerous studies and drawings completed in the ballet studio along with 16 large scale works which demonstrate the quest for the perfect line…
En Pointe! An Evening At The Ballet
For over 100 years, Fernie has enjoyed live music, dance and theatre performed by local or travelling troupes. For one night, the Fernie Museum is excited to bridge past and present through live art, dance and music in conjunction with its winter exhibit, Perfect Line, by artist Gordon Milne. GALA DINNER | 5:30 – 8:00 PM Begin your evening with an exclusive, intimate dinner hosted by Gordon Sombrowski, Chair of the Fernie Museum Patrons’ Council and past Chair of the…
Holiday Shopping Event
For the holiday season, the Trites and Wood Museum Shop will be resplendent with a wonderful array of new merchandise including jewellery, textiles, and Fernie heritage building themed artwork, ornaments and giftware. Join Museum staff November 30 as we join the Fernie Chamber of Commerce and downtown merchants in kicking off the holiday shopping season. Holiday refreshments will be served. Members of the Fernie & District Historical Society and the Ambassador Program will receive a special 25% discount on all…
January 2019
Lunch and Learn
Fernie Museum Collections Management Project A progress update on the collections management; what is happening, where the collection is going, latest discoveries. Ski Heritage Project Announcing the new ski heritage history wall – a new exhibit for the Fernie Museum. A brief look at some of our collection and a call to the community for stories, artifacts and images. With Lindsay Vallance, Collections Management Coordinator Lunch included. Discounts for Museum and Senior’s Centre members.
February 2019
Book Signing | The Stories Were Not Told
Celebrate the publication of The Stories Were Not Told: Canada’s First World War Internment Camps with author Sandra Semchu and host Angie Abdou. From 1914 to 1920, thousands of men who had immigrated to Canada from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Germany, and the Ottoman Empire were unjustly imprisoned as “enemy aliens,” some with their families. Many communities in Canada where internees originated do not know these stories of Ukrainians, Germans, Bulgarians, Croatians, Czechs, Hungarians, Italians, Jews, Alevi Kurds, Armenians, Ottoman Turks,…
Family Day Weekend
The Fernie Museum is please to welcome families from across BC and Canada to Fernie throughout the Family Day weekend. Our Family Day celebrations include: Free admission Scavenger Hunt Interactive exhibits Hot chocolate The Museum is open daily from 10:00 am to 5:30 pm daily during Family Day weekend. This event hosted with support by the Province of BC and the BC Museums Association.
March 2019
Adult Figurative Drawing Class
Instructor: Gordon Milne, exhibiting artist This class will focus on creating gesture drawings that are based on dance and dancers. We will be working with the assistance of live ballet dancers from the Motion Dance Academy and will concentrate on producing quick, loose, informational sketches intended to capture the beauty and freedom of movement. This will be a very hands-on class that encourages intense observation and a brave approach to drawing. It’s going to be challenging…but fun! Hosted in conjunction…
Lunch and Learn | Perfect Line Artist Talk
This presentation highlights the artistic career of Turner Valley Gordon Milne, the Fernie Museum’s current exhibit artist. Gordon will highlight the two series of works he has created – Canadian Sports Heroes, featuring summer and winter Canadian Olympians, and Perfect Line, featuring Canadian ballet dancers. Following his presentation, Gordon will provide a tour of the exhibit at the Fernie Museum. Admission to the Fernie Museum is included with the presentation.
April 2019
Introduction to Ballet for Adults
The Fernie Museum is excited to partner with Motion Dance Academy to offer classes a beginner’s introduction to ballet for adults in conjunction with its current ballet-themed exhibit, Perfect Line. This classes will be an introduction to the art form of ballet, link art and ballet together, and provide a glimpse into a dancer’s life. Dance is artistic and allows you to express yourself and it is a sport which provides good physical fitness. Join us for a tour of…
Introduction to Ballet for Children
Children ages 5 to 10 are invited to join us for a two-day Introduction to Ballet For Children on Saturday and Sunday, April 13 and 14 from 1:30 to 3:00 pm. Classes will begin each day upstairs at the Fernie Museum for an artistic activity in conjunction with the Museum’s current ballet- themed exhibit, Perfect Line, and then move next door to Motion Dance Academy studio for a dance lesson. No prior dance experience required! Parents are invited to watch…
May 2019
Fernie & District Historical Society AGM
Members and the public are invited to attend the Annual General Meeting of the Fernie & District Historical Society. Presentations will include a summary of 2018 accomplishments and plans for 2019, an update on the Fernie Heritage Strategy, and a tour of the Museum’s new collections storage facility. Light refreshments will be served.
June 2019
Kimono and Sake | An Evening of Japanese Culture
Join us for a wonderful evening of Japanese culture with guest curator Barry Till in attendance, along with sake tasting and authentic Japanese cuisine by Yamagoya. This event launches the Fernie Museum’s must-see summer exhibit, From Geisha To Diva: The Kimono of Ichimaru. Purchasing advance tickets is encouraged; only a limited number of tickets will be available that evening at the door. Tickets are $20 per person and can be purchased online or at the Fernie Museum. Famed for their…
Historic Summer Walking Tours
On the surface, Fernie might seem like any mountain town: beautiful vistas, interesting shops, and abundant outdoor activities. Dig a little deeper and you’ll find that there’s more to Fernie than meets the eye. Join one of our historian-guides for a fascinating glimpse into the triumphs and tragedies that have formed the community of Fernie over the last 140 years. Tours depart daily from the Fernie Museum: Every Saturday & Sunday June 8 – September 1 Plus first Monday in…
Art of the Geisha: The Kimono of Ichimaru – Curator’s Talk with Barry Till
Join Barry Till, exhibit curator and Curator-Emeritus of Asian art with the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, for a tour of this rare exhibit. The kimono of Ichimaru and her personal belongings form part of the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria’s Asian arts collection, recognized as one of the top Asian arts collections in North America. For the past 36 years, Till has published and lectured extensively on this subject, organized over 150 Asian art exhibitions and travelled throughout Asia…
Art Of The Geisha | Shodo
A geisha is a woman highly trained in the arts of music, dance and entertaining, spending years to perfect the various art forms she is required to master. One of those art forms she was required to master was shodo. Shodo is a form of calligraphy using a brush dipped in ink. It’s a beautiful art form as well as a means of communication. The ability to do shodo is a skill which requires a tremendous amount of training to…