Golden Museum and Archives

08/13/2026

This photograph shows the Golden Curling Rink doing double duty as a summer tennis court in the early 1900s. When the weather turned cold, the same space became an open‑air hockey rink — a testament to Golden’s long tradition of outdoor sports and community ingenuity.

The ladies’ long dresses and the mountain backdrop remind us how recreation and resilience have always gone hand in hand here. Whether curling, skating, or volleying under the sun, Golden has never been short on ways to enjoy the outdoors.

Photo credit Golden Museum and Archives P0124.
Contrast adjusted for clarity and the image was cropped from the original.

08/12/2026

Four boys, one hillside, and a winter’s worth of friendship.

This photograph—labelled McMurdo School children—captures a rare moment of play for four boys who didn’t live close to one another. In the Columbia Valley of the early 1930s, neighbours could be miles apart, and for many rural families the schoolyard was the only place children gathered.

Pictured here in the snow are: Doug Bingham, Earl Hynes, Walter Weston, and Ormand Braisher (far right).

The school year is listed as 1932–33, a time when McMurdo School served families scattered between Golden and Parson, though closest to Parson.

For these boys, school wasn’t just lessons—it was companionship. The walk to class might have been long, but once they arrived, they had each other. Laughter, snowbanks, shared lunches, and the kind of friendships that formed simply because there were no other children for miles.

Ormand Braisher, seated on the right, has many descendants living in the valley today, making this image not only a glimpse into the past but a thread that still ties our community together.

A small rural school, a winter hillside, and four boys whose stories continue in the families who call this valley home.

Photo credit Golden Museum and Archives P2172.
This photo has been sharpened, cleaned and trimmed for clarity.

08/11/2026

This black‑and‑white photograph captures the Golden Era Printing Office, which once stood across the street from the Columbia House hotel in downtown Golden. The image was likely taken not long after the Golden Era began printing in 1891, making it one of the earliest visual records of local journalism in our valley.

The Golden Era served the community until 1902, when the presses fell silent and Golden went without a newspaper for nearly a year and a half. When publication finally resumed, the paper returned with a new name — The Golden Star — chosen partly to avoid the teasing nickname locals had given its predecessor: the Golden Error.

From that moment on, The Golden Star has never stopped. Through different owners, different editors, and more than 120 years of change, it has remained the steady voice of the valley, recording the everyday life of the community. Births, deaths, marriages, washouts, fires, celebrations, accidents, triumphs — all of it found its way into the pages of the Star.

This little building, humble as it looks, was the starting point of a tradition of storytelling that still connects Golden today.

Photo credit the Golden Museum and Archive P2204.

08/07/2026

Protecting Golden’s History in the Digital Age

We live in a time when technology can bring history to life in incredible ways — sharpening old photos, adding color, and helping us see the past more clearly. But it can also change history if we’re not careful.

We’ve noticed that some of our historical photos are being downloaded and edited using AI tools. While we’re happy people are enjoying and sharing our posts, we ask that anyone who edits or enhances these images please make a note that the picture has been modified.

This helps protect the authenticity of our archives and ensures future generations know what the original looked like. Sometimes AI gets details wrong — faces, textures, or even landscapes can shift — and those small changes can rewrite a piece of our visual history.

By simply adding a note like “edited for clarity” or “colorized using AI”, you help us preserve the integrity of Golden’s story while still celebrating its beauty.

Together, we can keep history accurate, respectful, and alive for everyone to enjoy. Pictured here is a photo from the museum collection that is clearly in poor condition and below in the comments you can see how much it is changed by editing.

08/06/2026

Jack McKenzie on the Columbia River

This photograph shows Jack McKenzie floating peacefully down the Columbia River in his canoe — a timeless image of life along the water.
We don’t know much about Jack, but we’d love to learn more.

If you remember him, have stories to share, or know anything about his time in Golden, please tell us in the comments or send a message. Every memory helps us piece together the people and moments that shaped our valley’s history.

Photo credit the Golden Museum and Archives P0636

08/05/2026

The Bank of Montreal (BMO) operated a branch in Golden for many decades, serving the community’s banking needs through the mid‑20th century. The building itself reflected the modernist architectural style common to BMO’s rural branches of the 1950s and 1960s — simple lines, large glass panels, and a clock façade that made it a recognizable landmark downtown. "I will meet you by the clock," became a common phrase around town. Anybody remember who owned the station wagon?

Photo credit the Golden Museum and Archives P0645

08/03/2026

07/31/2026

A Little History Behind the August Long Weekend — and Why It Matters in Golden

In British Columbia, the first Monday in August is known as B.C. Day, a holiday officially established in 1974 to celebrate the province’s heritage, communities, and the people who helped shape it. The date echoes an important moment in our history: on August 2, 1858, the Colony of British Columbia was formally proclaimed in London. More than a century later, that anniversary helped inspire the midsummer holiday we enjoy today.

But here in Golden, the August long weekend has taken on a life of its own.

It’s one of the busiest weekends of the year — a time when the valley fills with people heading out to fish the rivers, float the Columbia River, bike the trails, hike the alpine, or simply pass through on their way across the province. The town hums with travellers, locals, and families all making the most of the height of summer.

Golden also has a camping culture that’s uniquely ours. Many of us pack up our campers and drive as little as twenty minutes to spend the weekend at a nearby lake, a gravel pit, or a quiet spot in the forest. It’s a tradition rooted in simplicity: you don’t have to go far from home to feel like you’ve escaped into nature. A short drive, a familiar backroad, and suddenly you’re in your own little slice of wilderness.

August long is also prime time for huckleberry picking and mushroom hunting — a seasonal ritual that has been part of life in this valley for generations. Families head into the hills with buckets and baskets, hoping to find their favourite patches before the bears do. It’s one of those traditions that ties us to the land in a very real way, marking the turning point between high summer and the first hints of fall.

So while B.C. Day may have been created to honour the province’s history, in Golden it has become something more personal: a celebration of community, landscape, and the way we live in this valley. Whether you’re camping close to home, floating the river, picking berries, or simply enjoying a quiet weekend with family and friends, the August long weekend is a reminder of how lucky we are to call this place home. Enjoy your weekend folks and be safe out there!

07/30/2026

A Step Back in Time — Wenman Shoe Repair Shop

Many in Golden will remember Bill Wenman, the skilled cobbler whose shop kept our town walking tall for decades. His dedication to craftsmanship and community made Wenman Shoe Repair more than just a business — it was a gathering place where stories were shared and soles were saved.

Bill’s legacy lives on in the memories of those who stopped by for a quick fix or a friendly chat. His work reminds us of a time when quality and care went hand in hand.

If you’ve read any of the stories about Bill Wenman on the Golden Museum blog or in local papers, you’ll know how deeply he shaped our town’s history. Share your memories below — did you ever visit his shop or know Bill personally?

Photo credit the Golden Museum and Archives P0624

07/29/2026

Remembering Lou’s Café and Frank’s Garage — A Golden Landmark

If you’ve lived in Golden long enough, you might recognize this building — once home to Lou’s Café on the left and Frank’s Garage beside it. Louise and Frank Falbo ran these beloved local spots, and you can still see where the old sign for Frank’s Garage hung proudly above the double doors.

On the right in this photo stood Merc Building Supplies, started by the Keenleyside family. Though Merc hasn’t been located there for many years, the Keenleyside family’s dedication to their craft continues today — now spanning three generations of family business in Golden.

It’s amazing how places like these hold memories that connect us across time. Do you remember stopping by Lou’s Café for a piece of her delicious pie or getting your car fixed at Frank’s Garage? Share your stories below — we’d love to hear them.

Photo credit the Golden Museum and Archives P0631_b.