KelownaMuseums

KelownaMuseums Since 1936 as a community interest & since 1951 as a registered society, the Kelowna Museums Society.

The past fifteen years have seen many changes at the Kelowna Museums, including name changes, new logos and the amalgamation of the Okanagan Military Museum (OMM). The Okanagan Military Museum Society’s board is still active and works with the Kelowna Museums Society in many aspects of the operation of the museum, which is in the lobby of the Memorial Arena, at the corner of Doyle Avenue and Ellis

Street. In 2011, the OMM archives were named the Vince Bezeau Military Library and Archives in memoriam for a dedicated board member. In the spring of 2019, the Kelowna Museums Society finalized a multi-year renovation of the gallery and exhibitions at the Okanagan Heritage Museum. This exciting and carefully conducted process means that the OHM is almost an entirely ‘new’ museum. We look forward to welcoming you and sharing new stories about our rich and fascinating local history!

Celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day this weekend with two incredible community events! Our friends at Sncəwips Her...
06/19/2026

Celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day this weekend with two incredible community events!

Our friends at Sncəwips Heritage Museum & Gift Store are hosting the Siyaten Festival this Saturday, June 20th! Head over to the Westbank First Nations Pavilion (1900 Quail Lane) from 11 AM to 7 PM for amazing cultural performances, live music, traditional dancing, drumming, and a special puppet show by DerRic Starlight.

The celebrations continue on Sunday, June 21st! Join the Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society and Métis Community Services Society of BC for the Turtle Island 2026 Festival and Métis Rendezvous at Waterfront Park (1200 Water Street). This family-friendly event features fiddling, jigging, delicious food, a mini powwow, arts & crafts, beach games, and an art walk!

Let’s come together to honor, learn, and celebrate 🧡

06/18/2026

Okanagan Lake is more than just a scenic backdrop – it’s steeped in history, mystery, and local lore. From its role in early settlement and irrigation to legends and lakeside leisure, this 1.5 km walking tour dives into the fascinating stories that make the lake central to life in Kelowna.

Come explore the rich history hidden in the waves!

Tour leaves from the Okanagan Heritage Museum. Private bookings can be made upon request. Contact [email protected]

06/18/2026

We are buzzing with excitement to welcome honey bees back to the Okanagan Wine and Orchard Museum! Next time you visit the Laurel Packinghouse, make sure to check out our brand-new observation hive. It offers a fascinating, up-close look at these incredible pollinators hard at work building combs, storing honey, and keeping the colony thriving.

A big thank you to the North Okanagan Beekeepers for building, installing, and maintaining this new hive for our visitors to enjoy.

Dick Parkinson, nicknamed Mr. Regatta, transformed the Kelowna Regatta into an international water show and was a living...
06/16/2026

Dick Parkinson, nicknamed Mr. Regatta, transformed the Kelowna Regatta into an international water show and was a living symbol of the event. Though reluctant at first, he helped organize the festivities for over 35 years. He is pictured here receiving his Regatta Honorary Life Membership in 1970.

Dick also served as an alderman (councillor) for thirteen years, and Mayor of Kelowna for nine, from 1958 to 1967. Today, he is commemorated by his namesake, the Parkinson Recreation Centre.

06/14/2026

Join us for a hands-on Tombstone Cleaning Workshop that cares for local history in a respectful, practical way. Learn safe techniques to gently clean historic headstones under the guidance of KMS’s conservator.

This workshop supports Kelowna Museums Society’s mission to preserve and share our region’s heritage. No experience is needed—just a willingness to roll up your sleeves, work carefully, and help protect this outdoor archive for future visitors.

Register here: https://www.kelownamuseums.ca/event/tombstone-cleaning-workshop-4/

This is "Betty the Beautiful Bride," made sometime between 1957 and the mid-1960s. Sold primarily in grocery stores, Bet...
06/12/2026

This is "Betty the Beautiful Bride," made sometime between 1957 and the mid-1960s. Sold primarily in grocery stores, Betty was an affordable alternative to pricey department store toys. You can't tell from these photos, but she is 30 inches tall!

Just because these dolls were budget-friendly didn't mean they weren't precious. This particular Betty was strictly a "nice doll," meaning she was meant to be admired from a distance, and playing with her was off-limits.

Did you have a "look, but don't touch" toy growing up?

The Okanagan landscape is a mosaic of biodiversity. For generations, the syilx people have lived in reciprocal relations...
06/11/2026

The Okanagan landscape is a mosaic of biodiversity. For generations, the syilx people have lived in reciprocal relationship with this land, stewarding an intricate knowledge of native flora. From sustenance and traditional medicine to structural materials and even natural aromatics, the utility of these plants is as vast as the terrain itself.

We invite you to lace up your walking shoes and join us for this perennially popular excursion. It is a unique opportunity to see the valley from a syilx perspective and lens of botanical wonder, just steps from Downtown Kelowna.

Register here: https://shorturl.at/4P3FO

Our Registrar, Elizabeth, picked up an exciting new donation last week: Tastee Freez memorabilia from a former franchise...
06/09/2026

Our Registrar, Elizabeth, picked up an exciting new donation last week: Tastee Freez memorabilia from a former franchise owner! Marilyn and her husband, Ray, took over the Rutland Tastee Freez in the 1970s, operating the restaurant for 5 1/2 years before leasing it. Our favourite objects are the "Tee" and "Eff" wall decorations!

Did you frequent the Tastee Freez? What was your order?

06/06/2026

Major General Keller - a Kelowna connection to D-Day.

Sources:
photos: Group LAC PA115544; Portrait BCD-P-1123; Medals BCD-M-500; Headstone KB photo.
map: German Normandy defenses OMM teaching collection.
Clippings: BCRDH Kel Cou July 6 1944 pg 1; BCRDH Ver New Aug 17 1944 pg 5; BCRDH Kel Cou Oct 7 1944 pg 1; BCRDH Kel Cou June 28 1954 pg 1; BCRDH Kel Cou June 24 1954 p1

Address

470 Queensway Avenue
Kelowna, BC
V1Y6S7

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 5pm
Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 11am - 4pm

Telephone

250-763-2417

Website

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