Fernie Museum

OVERVIEW The Fernie Museum is a vibrant, community-based cultural institution which integrates regional history, art and culture to understand, communicate and preserve what is unique about our community and region. Our work drives four strategic outcomes: Building Community Fostering a sense of community by engaging residents and visitors and creating meaningful cultural and social experiences. Building Place Fostering a positive sense of place and pride for residents and visitors alike. Building Memory Developing and providing access to the museum’s diverse collections and sharing community stories. Building Sustainability Adopting long-term financially, operationally and environmentally sustainable practices. HISTORY After years of collecting, the Society opened a museum on August 4, 1979 to coincide with Fernie’s Diamond Jubilee in the former Catholic Church rectory. The Society operated from this location until when the Church realized that it would soon need the property for its own purposes. The museum closed and the collections were put into storage. As part of the City of Fernie's centennial, the Society opened a pop-up museum; hgh attendance resulting from a visible, central location prompted the Society to continue operating a museum and visitor center from this location until 2010. In 2009, the City of Fernie, understanding the value a permanent home for the museum to the cultural life of the community, purchased the former BC Hydro building (the historic 1910 Home Bank building). The new Fernie Museum opened in September 2013 with a permanent exhibit highlighting the natural and cultural history of Fernie and the Elk Valley on the main floor and a temporary exhibit gallery on the second floor which features rotating art and history exhibits. The "Trites & Wood Mercantile" Museum Shop features a curated collection of jewelry, clothing and accessories, home décor, books, and stationary which represents Fernie’s geography, culture and heritage. The Museum offers a range of programs and events throughout the year.