Rossland Museum & Discovery Centre

Rossland Museum & Discovery Centre Metals | Mountains | Memories
Community museum & science centre for Rossland, BC. Sinixt tmxʷúlaʔxʷ

The Rossland Museum & Discovery Centre is a community history museum for Rossland, BC covering the mining, industrial, skiing, social, cultural, and natural history of Rossland and area. Also home to Rossland's Visitor Information Centre as a gateway to the Kootenays and the Columbia Basin. Public Washrooms, Free WiFi, Wheelchair Accessible, Family-friendly washroom, Kids discovery zone. The museu

m building houses thousands of artifacts in the storage rooms. The archives stores and preserves historic photos, documents, the Rossland Miner newspapers from 1896 to 1972, maps and the City's early assessment and tax rolls, as well as other important mining and community historical information. Established in 1955, the Rossland Historical Museum and Archives Association is a not-for-profit society whose mission is to preserve and dynamically present the history and culture of Rossland and area. The Rossland Historical Museum & Archives Association began in the basement of the Rossland Court House in 1954 and was incorporated under the BC Societies Act in March of 1955. The present museum was built on the site of the Black Bear mine in 1967 as a Canadian Centennial project. Although the mine (and underground tour) is permanently closed, the museum still speaks to this area of our history and a video of the underground tour is available during operating hours.

Support the Museum with a donation! More info < rosslandmuseum.ca/donate > The Rossland Museum & Discovery Centre is an ...
06/14/2026

Support the Museum with a donation! More info < rosslandmuseum.ca/donate > The Rossland Museum & Discovery Centre is an independent non-profit society and registered charity. Your support makes it possible for us to:

• develop new exhibits
• offer educational programming for all ages
• conduct historical research
• plan and coordinate community events
• provide long-term care of the object and archival collections
• and everything else we do!

You can donate on our website any time via Canada Helps – or donate directly with cash or a cheque!

06/14/2026

Keep up-to-date with the goings-on at the Rossland Museum & Discovery Centre with a subscription to our e-newsletter! Be the first to hear about new exhibits, resources, special events, and programming - delivered right to your inbox!

Sign up on our website: rosslandmuseum.ca/newsletter

Do you remember the Rossland City Band? While the Rossland City Band had its origins in the late 1890s, it wasn’t until ...
06/12/2026

Do you remember the Rossland City Band? While the Rossland City Band had its origins in the late 1890s, it wasn’t until the 1930s that it really took off, thanks to consistent practices, regular performances, and regular executive meetings.

The Rossland City Band gave regular performances throughout the year, even winning the Blaylock Cup at the Kootenay Music Festival in 1937 and 1938. Performances included parades, weekly concerts at the bandshell (Washington St. and Columbia Ave.) or the Father Pat Memorial (Queen St. and Columbia Ave.), as well as an annual concert. The Rossland City Band also notably travelled to Spokane, WA, in February 1958, to play at the Warriors-Flyers hockey game.

While we don’t have it on record when the band officially stopped filling the Rossland streets with music, they appeared to have stopped sometime in the 1960s.

Featured:
• 2285.0023 - Rossland City Band and public waiting to board the bus down to Spokane for the Warriors-Flyers hockey game, February 1958
• 1984.20.2 - Rossland City Band Bass Drum, circa mid-1920s; originally used by the British Empire Service League (predecessor to the Royal Canadian Legion)
•1990.13.2 - Rossland City Band Uniform, circa 1960s

In the 1890s, fire was one of the greatest threats to the fast‑growing mining camp of Rossland. So when the Rossland Wat...
06/12/2026

In the 1890s, fire was one of the greatest threats to the fast‑growing mining camp of Rossland. So when the Rossland Water & Light Company installed six fire hydrants in 1896, and local citizen Mr. Lalonde raised funds for 500 feet of hose and two nozzles, the town finally had the tools to fight back. That hose quickly became a symbol of pride for the volunteer fire brigade.

Like many fire departments of the era, Rossland’s volunteer firefighters and mine rescue personnel trained and competed through hose reel racing. Teams sprinted down Columbia Avenue hauling heavy reels, coupling hose lengths at top speed, and wrestling with the powerful new hydrants. For the volunteers, the races built teamwork and skills. For everyone else, they were a lively spectacle in a town that loved a good show.

Interested in learning more about Rossland’s firefighting history? Visit our indoor exhibit or explore our outdoor display – you can even climb into our real historic fire trucks! Learn more on our website: www.rosslandmuseum.ca/fire

2286.0036 - Hose Reel race on Columbia Ave, circa 1913
2286.0037 - Hose Reel race on Columbia Ave, circa 1914
2286.0035 - Le Roi Hose team, 1912
2355.0105 - Le Roi Hose team, circa 1915

Photos preserved by the Rossland Museum and digitized courtesy of Columbia Basin Institute of Regional History. Do you have original photos capturing Rossland’s storied history? Consider donating them to the Rossland Archives - we can also scan them and you retain the original.

June is packed with events, activities, and ideas to celebrate in the lead-up to July 1st! The Rossland Museum will be o...
06/11/2026

June is packed with events, activities, and ideas to celebrate in the lead-up to July 1st! The Rossland Museum will be open with free entry (donations welcome) on each of the Celebrate Canada Days: National Indigenous Peoples' Day, St. Jean Baptiste Day, National Multiculturalism Day, and Canada Day! More info: www.rosslandmuseum.ca/news/2026/celebrate-canada

National Indigenous Peoples Day: June 21
We'll be showing the short films Take it to the Water and Learning mxiɬp all day, so stop by for a viewing, check out our temporary display on Sinixt & Colonial Contact, and pause to reflect with our permanent exhibits Sinixt Homeland and Gifts of the Ancestors.

Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day: June 24
Celebrate Francophone language and traditions with themed crafts and activities, and explore Québecois identity with showings of the 2002 National Film Board documentary A License to Remember: Je me souviens, at 12:30 pm, 2 pm, 3:30 pm, and 4:30 pm.
L’occasion de la Saint-Jean-Baptiste: le 24 juin
Célébrez la langue et les traditions francophones avec des ateliers et des activités thématiques, et découvrez l’identité québécoise grâce à la projection du documentaire de 2002 de l’Office national du film du Canada: « Un certain souvenir », à 12 h 30, 14 h, 15 h 30 et 16 h 30.

Canadian Multiculturalism Day: June 27
Celebrate Canadian Multiculturalism Day with a free film festival! Settle down to watch a family-friendly film from 10 am to 12:30 pm, or stick around to explore Canadian experiences through a series of National Film Board and local films playing all afternoon. Guided tours of the outdoor exhibits are offered at 11 am, 1 pm, and 3 pm daily, so come along to learn about Rossland's colourful history!

Canada Day: July 1
Come out to the Rossland Museum for July 1st - we have an amazing line-up of activities, ceremony, community groups, cake, and live music from 11 am to 4 pm. Check out our games, crafts, and bouncy house fun, grab some food, and settle down to enjoy the show. The ceremony starts at noon, with an address by the Mayor, singing of O Canada, and - of course - cake! Check out the full schedule on our website. This event is supported in part by Tourism Rossland, Nelson & District Credit Union, Teck Trail Operations, and the Government of Canada.

If you enjoy visiting the Museum, consider becoming a member! Learn more: rosslandmuseum.ca/membershipWith a membership,...
06/10/2026

If you enjoy visiting the Museum, consider becoming a member! Learn more: rosslandmuseum.ca/membership

With a membership, you get:
➡ unlimited access to galleries and exhibitions for 12 months
➡ 2 family/friend passes
➡10% off all items in the Museum Shop
➡ 10% off program fees
➡ 10% off facility rentals and birthdays
➡ e-newsletter subscription and special event invites
➡ an AGM vote.

RMDC members also receive benefits through our Reciprocal Admission programs!
➡ Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC) Passport Program
➡ Canadian Association of Science Centres (CASC) Reciprocal Admission Program
➡ Gallery 2 - Grand Forks Art Gallery Reciprocal Membership Program

This crew of miners at the Virginia Mine stars in this week’s post!It is rare that we have identified photos of mines ...
06/09/2026

This crew of miners at the Virginia Mine stars in this week’s post!

It is rare that we have identified photos of mines outside of what are called the “Big Five” (Le Roi, War Eagle, Josie, Centre Star, and Black Bear), so photos like these are precious to us!

The Virginia Mine was located on Acme Creek, on the southwest slope of Monte Cristo Mountain. It was one of the five claims staked by Joe Moris and Joe Bourgeois in 1890 that sparked gold fever in the area that would become Rossland. The Mine was only produced in 1899, recovering 2395 grams of gold, 1866 grams of silver, and 943 kilograms of copper.

Photograph 2291.0051 - Preserved by the RMDC and digitized in partnership with the Columbia Basin Institute of Regional History

Check out the latest update to our Rossland Memories project! RMDC Volunteer Maureen Brown interviews the Golden City Pi...
06/07/2026

Check out the latest update to our Rossland Memories project! RMDC Volunteer Maureen Brown interviews the Golden City Pipe Band — represented by Jim Albo, Peter Laycock, Shannon Lloyd, and Shawn Gresley-Jones — about their formation and history in Rossland. This interview was conducted on November 22, 2021, as part of the Rossland Memories Oral History Project. Hear the whole interview on our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/6TBzg7c9NgY?si=KcAKogMGOwW6SOmy

If you have a story to share with the Museum, please get in touch. Learn more about our Rossland Memories project - including ways you can help! - on our website.

Just a little over a month remains to check out our current travelling exhibit - BC's Marvellous Mushrooms, on loan from...
06/06/2026

Just a little over a month remains to check out our current travelling exhibit - BC's Marvellous Mushrooms, on loan from the Royal BC Museum until July 14! Entrance is included in regular admission and, of course, free for members!

The exhibit explores the science and practical uses of mushrooms today, highlighting some of the most fascinating of the 3,400 known species in the province. Featuring interpretive graphic panels, 3D-printed mushroom models and foraging equipment, the exhibition facilitates visitors’ understanding of BC mushrooms and their many uses.

This travelling exhibit is supported by the Government of Canada’s Exhibit Circulation Fund (Museum Assistance Program)

Learn more: rosslandmuseum.ca/news/2026/mushrooms

Let's take a look at the Blaylock Ore Collection this ! This collection consists of the collection of rocks and mineral...
06/05/2026

Let's take a look at the Blaylock Ore Collection this !
This collection consists of the collection of rocks and minerals that Selwyn G. Blaylock collected and displayed in his office at the Consolidated Mining & Smelting Company (CM&S, Cominco, now Teck). The collection represents the breadth of CM&S interests and contains rare and valuable minerals from the company’s holdings across the country (primarily BC) and the U.S.A., as well as production samples from the CM&S Smelter.

Blaylock (1879-1945) joined CM&S in 1906, eventually serving as President and Managing Director of CM&S from 1939 to 1945. Throughout his career, Blaylock was appreciated for his leadership abilities and his contributions to the mining and metallurgy industry as a whole. In 1990, he was inducted into the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame.

Some of the minerals/materials include: cinnabar, native silver, sulfur, medicinal bismuth, fluorite, antimony, copper, galena, bornite, lead-silver ore, molybdenum, lead-zinc ore, chalcopyrite, and synthetic magnesium.

Collection Number: 2010.22

Address

1100 Highway 3B
Rossland, BC
V0G1Y0

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 6pm
Tuesday 10am - 6pm
Wednesday 10am - 6pm
Thursday 10am - 6pm
Friday 10am - 6pm
Saturday 10am - 6pm
Sunday 10am - 6pm

Telephone

+18884487444

Website

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