Gabriola Historical and Museum Society

Gabriola Historical and Museum Society Telling Island stories (past, present, & future) through exhibits, displays, lectures, presentations & tours.

On the traditional unceeded territory of the Snuneymuxw First Nations.

⭐ Only 5 more days until our new Japanese Canadian Legacies Societies Exhibit opens on Saturday, May 23!👉 Everyone is in...
05/18/2026

⭐ Only 5 more days until our new Japanese Canadian Legacies Societies Exhibit opens on Saturday, May 23!

👉 Everyone is invited to join Gabriola Museum at Pages Inn on Silva Bay, in the grand unveiling of our newest 4 part exhibit, Omoide – Memories, Recollections and Reminiscences, honouring the history and legacy of Japanese Canadians on Gabriola Island, with a focus on the Koyama and Shinde families, and their contributions to Gabriola’s culture and economic history.

⛩️ The permanent exhibit at Gabriola Museum showcases two BC heritage sites on Silva Bay, the Koyama Fish Camp and the Shinde Sunrise Sawmill, and features miniature dioramas of these two sites. The story of Nikkei (anyone with one or more ancestors from Japan) on Gabriola continues on location at Silva Bay, shared through the project’s two monuments to the Koyama and Shinde families, inspired by Shinto torii gates and an interactive mobile exhibit, Gaman, meaning resilience and endurance, that showcases Gabriola artists influenced by Japanese culture. These exhibits are on display at Pages Inn on Silva Bay and Pages Resort & Marina, close to the original Koyama Fish Camp and Shinde Sawmill sites.

⭐ This event is also the formal opening of Gabriola Museum’s 2026 season!

⛩️ Come enjoy stories, Japanese Taiko drumming, and a reception with a sweet table, coffee/tea and Japanese snacks!

Museum permeant exhibit open Sat May 23, from noon to 4 pm

👉 Time: 2:30 pm, be seated at 2:15 please!

For more info contact [email protected] or go to https://gabriolamuseum.org/events/exhibit-grand-opening-omoide-memories-recollections-and-reminiscences/


🟥 Today, May 5th, is Red Dress Day, a National Day of remembrance and activism honouring the lives of Missing and Murder...
05/05/2026

🟥 Today, May 5th, is Red Dress Day, a National Day of remembrance and activism honouring the lives of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirited People.

🟥 On this day, red dresses are draped from trees, handing from windows, work as pins, earrings, and more, to honour their loved ones, harmed by violence.
It is a day and week for reflection and activism.

DID YOU KNOW?
‼️ Indigenous women are 4 times more likely to be the victims of violence.

‼️ Between 2001 and 2014, the average rate of homicide involving women, was 4 times higher for Indigenous women.

To learn more go to:

🔺 National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls

https://www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1448633299414/1534526479029

🔺 Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls

https://www.mmiwg-ffada.ca/final-report/

🔺 Canadian Museum for Human Rights

https://humanrights.ca/resource-guide/missing-and-murdered-indigenous-women-girls-and-2slgbtqi-people



🌟 Annual General Meeting - Gabriola Historical and Museum Society 👉 Gabriola Museum is holding their 2026 Annual General...
03/26/2026

🌟 Annual General Meeting - Gabriola Historical and Museum Society

👉 Gabriola Museum is holding their 2026 Annual General Meeting in SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 2026 at 2:15 pm at the Community Hall, lower level.

👉 The AGM is preceded by a screening for the community of Gabriola Museum’s documentary film, The Land Provides, at 1:30 pm

The Land Provides speaks to stories of Gabriola’s roots – Indigenous, settlers, farming & markets, families and innovators, and stories of harvesting food, building community, and connecting to the Land on Gabriola.

The film highlights the beauty and uniqueness of our community and how Gabriola has met the spiritual & physical needs of its inhabitants over the years. This documentary was produced by filmmaker Tobi Elliott, for the Gabriola Historical and Museum Society and features interviews with Elder Geraldine Manson and several well-known local islanders.

It captures the feeling of Gabriola at various points of time, and lends itself to reflecting on where we are today.

🌟 Everyone is welcome to attend the film and AGM, but only current museum members can vote at the 2:15 pm business meeting.

🕑 Doors will be open at 1:15 pm. Please use the side door of the Community Hall to enter the lower level.

🕐 Come early to renew your membership or become a member and participate in the AGM.

https://gabriolamuseum.org/membership/

Coffee, tea, and water will be available.

🌟 Come out, learn more about Gabriola’s roots, and support your local Museum!

ℹ️ For more information about the AGM or to request the AGM documents, please contact [email protected]

https://gabriolamuseum.org/



⭐ Fundraiser for Gabriola Museum! 👉 Come out to the Gabriola Island Golf Club this Sunday, March 8th at 2 pm to enjoy ...
03/03/2026

⭐ Fundraiser for Gabriola Museum!

👉 Come out to the Gabriola Island Golf Club this Sunday, March 8th at 2 pm to enjoy another fabulous travel talk by adventurer, Steve Struthers!

❄️ This time Steve is taking us away to the Arctic, to
explore SVALBARD, the most northerly
permanently inhabited location in the world.

❄️ Belonging to Norway, it is a place of majestic,
remote tundra and home to polar bears and other
interesting wildlife.

👉 Come support your community museum and learn more!

Golf Club
Sunday March 8
2-3:30 pm
Doors open at 1:30 pm
Cash bar and food service available

🎟️ Admission by donation. Cash, card or debit available.





For more museum happenings and events check us out at
https://gabriolamuseum.org/events/

♥️ THANK YOU GABRIOLA! Dear Gabriola,⭐ Five years ago, the Gabriola Historical and Museum Society took a bold step by ...
02/25/2026

♥️ THANK YOU GABRIOLA!

Dear Gabriola,

⭐ Five years ago, the Gabriola Historical and Museum Society took a bold step by purchasing the 19-acre McRae Lands — protecting walking trails and a nature reserve in the heart of our village.

⭐ This was a leap of faith for a small community charity, but thanks to overwhelming community support and generosity, the land was secured for public benefit and long-term conservation.

Because of the community and other friends of the Museum:

🌲 The network of walking trails connecting South
Road and Fell Road remains open and well-loved
by the community.

🌲 Over 95% of the property continues to be
protected as a nature reserve through an Islands
Trust Conservancy Covenant, ensuring
conservation of wildlife habitat and fragile
ecosystems.

🌲 A Native Plant Trail, created in collaboration
with Snuneymuxw First Nation Elder Geraldine
Manson and other experts, offers opportunities
for education, reflection, and reconciliation
through connection to land and Indigenous
knowledge.

⭐ This year, on March 1st, 2026, the original 5-year mortgage is coming up for renewal, and the Museum’s small but mighty board of three (yes, only three!) have been working extremely hard to raise funds to make a significant payment on the principal. You may have seen our call-to-action in the Dec Sounder or our recent email asking for your help.

🌟 TODAY we are very excited to share with you the wonderful news that, thanks to the generosity of many community supporters, monthly donors, museum members, friends and THREE MAJOR ANONYMOUS donations, (thank you, thank you whomever you are!) we can put a whopping $72,000 on the principal this year!

🎊 Our remaining mortgage will drop from
$204,888 to $132,888!

🎊 FIFTY-SIX PERCENT of the original $300,00
mortgages will be paid off by March 1st !

⭐ This means with continued help, we can be in reach of completely paying off the mortgage and permanently securing this land for the future. Our determination to do just that is unwavering and steadfast – our fundraising efforts are continuing, and we call on other organizations and people in the community to join us in our campaign.

🙏 Your generosity has and continues to make a meaningful difference. We are deeply grateful for your commitment to protecting this extraordinary place and for helping ensure it remains accessible, protected, and cherished for generations to come.

🙏 With sincere thanks to all donors and supporters, and appreciation for the community in which we live, work and play,

♥️ From the Gabriola Historical and Museum Society Board of Directors:

Brenda Joy, President
[email protected]
Corinne Shortridge, Secretary
Chris Campbell, Treasurer




https://gabriolamuseum.org/

Gabriola Historical and Museum Society is now OPEN for FAMILY DAY! 👉 We are open today from noon to 4 pm with: ⭐ An indo...
02/16/2026

Gabriola Historical and Museum Society is now OPEN for FAMILY DAY!

👉 We are open today from noon to 4 pm with:

⭐ An indoor scavenger " the Museum Lost Friends" for younger children.

Some of the Museum's animal friends have wandered away from their cozy homes and are hiding in the Museum!

Young museum explorers are invited to help find them, safely and respectfully.

⭐ An outdoor, rain or shine, Gabriola Adventure Quest through the village, using clues and answering questions along the way, for families with older children. Start and finish at the Museum. About 35 min walk. Includes a walk through the McRae meadow.

⭐ Prizes for young museum explorers!

⭐ Crafts, colouring

⭐ Story telling by Susan Yates at 2 pm - stories of family, food and culture

⭐ Refreshments for adults and kids

Hope to see you there!



For more info email [email protected] or call 250-247-9987

https://gabriolamuseum.org/

⭐ Family Day @ Gabriola Museum! Come out to the Museum on Monday, Feb 16 for some family fun! February 16 to 22 is also...
02/10/2026

⭐ Family Day @ Gabriola Museum!

Come out to the Museum on Monday, Feb 16 for some family fun!

February 16 to 22 is also BC Heritage Week. This year's theme is "Stir the Pot" - inviting everyone to explore food as a form of heritage but also as a vessel of memory, identity and meaning.

Activities:

👉 Do a scavenger hunt around the museum grounds (suitable for younger children) or
👉 Challenge your family with a longer scavenger hunt around the village core
👉 Enjoy story time with Susan Yates with tales of family, food and cultural traditions
👉 Colouring and craft table

🏆 Scavenger hunts start and finish at the Museum, are self paced, start at any time, and there is a small prize for those who finish!

♥️ 12 pm to 3 pm: Scavenger hunts
♥️ 2 pm: Story time
♥️ Refreshments

Museum exhibits and Gift Shop are open from 12 to 4 pm

Hope to see you there!

For more information and for more events happening at the Museum go to
https://gabriolamuseum.org/

Find out more about BC Heritage Week at

https://heritagebc.ca/events-activities/heritage-week/


🌲The Gabriola Museum Gift Shop is open today until 4 pm for holiday shopping! Come by and enjoy some spiced apple cider ...
12/20/2025

🌲The Gabriola Museum Gift Shop is open today until 4 pm for holiday shopping!

Come by and enjoy some spiced apple cider and holiday cookies while browsing for that perfect gift.

👉15% discount on select product

👉 Museum members enjoy a 10% discount in the gift shop (some items excepted) all year round. Why not drop by and use your discount today? Or join the Gabriola Historical and Museum Society today and do the same?

https://gabriolamuseum.org/membership/

Happy Holidays everyone!



🌲The holiday season is in full swing on Gabriola, with tomorrow, Saturday, December 13, packed with festive activities a...
12/12/2025

🌲The holiday season is in full swing on Gabriola, with tomorrow, Saturday, December 13, packed with festive activities and shopping!

🌟If you and your little ones are in need of some quiet time or a break, drop by the Gabriola Museum to enjoy stories of Sharing and Giving read by the incomparable Susan Yates.

Dec 13th from 1-2:30 pm
Suitable for all ages
Enjoy warm apple cider, hot chocolate & holiday treats!
Free event, no registration required

The Musuem gift shop is also open for holiday shopping!

👉 Don't forget to pick up one of the Museum's new 2026 calendar - Images From the Archives. They make a great gift and are only $20! All proceeds from the calendar sales support the McRae Property Mortgage Fund. Also available for sale at Nature Spirits. Limited numbers left.

Happy Holiday everyone!



🌟 Join Gabriola Historical and Museum Society for a quiet afternoon with Susan Yates, reading holiday stories of Sharing...
12/01/2025

🌟 Join Gabriola Historical and Museum Society for a quiet afternoon with Susan Yates, reading holiday stories of Sharing & Giving. Suitable for all ages, including adults.

👉 Saturday, December 13 at 1 pm

🌟 Enjoy some hot chocolate, warm apple cider and holiday treats while unwinding from the hustle and bustle of the season!

Hope to see you there!

👉 Museum exhibits & gift shop open:
Saturdays from 11 am to 4 pm.
Fridays open 11 am to 4 pm based on volunteer availability. Please call in advance 250-247-9987

https://gabriolamuseum.org/



Address

505 South Road
Gabriola, BC
V0R1X0

Opening Hours

Wednesday 11am - 4pm
Thursday 11am - 4pm
Friday 11am - 4pm
Saturday 11am - 4pm

Telephone

+12502479987

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Gabriola Historical and Museum Society posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category