Kitimat Museum & Archives

Kitimat Museum & Archives Kitimat’s community museum for heritage, natural history, and visual arts & culture since 1968.

Offering multiple services to the community of Kitimat: audio-visual copying, research, still image use and photo reproduction, as well as offering local artists the opportunity to exhibit in the temporary gallery or sell their artwork on consignment.

This photo by Max Patzelt shows members of the Junior Chamber of Commerce - also known as the "Jaycees" - at the Haisla ...
08/21/2026

This photo by Max Patzelt shows members of the Junior Chamber of Commerce - also known as the "Jaycees" - at the Haisla Look-Out sign during one of their annual town clean-ups. The sign was created by Bill Diesing and presented to the town by the Chamber of Commerce. May 13th 1964.

Kitimat Museum & Archives: 1998.1.7897

Publicity photo taken by Max Patzelt for the Red Cross Blood Donor Clinic, showing five women and a man standing in fron...
08/20/2026

Publicity photo taken by Max Patzelt for the Red Cross Blood Donor Clinic, showing five women and a man standing in front of an Alcan helicopter, circa 1963. Hundreds of Kitimat residents generously donated blood, which was sent to Vancouver and issued to hospitals free of charge.

Kitimat Museum & Archives: 1998.1.920

In 1987, Max Patzelt donated his photograph and negative collection (over 10,000 images) to the Kitimat Museum. This tal...
08/20/2026

In 1987, Max Patzelt donated his photograph and negative collection (over 10,000 images) to the Kitimat Museum. This talented and prolific photographer operated Kitimat Photo Supply and Max's Photo Studio for over 25 years.

Originally from Germany, Max became a resident of Kitimat in 1956 when he was hired on at Alcan as a stud puller. He joined Kitimat Photo, the town's only industrial photography studio, and was soon "up to his ears in negatives" (Ingot, May 22, 1987). Max and his business partner Hazel Hatton opened Kitimat Photo Supply Ltd. in City Centre in 1960; he later moved the portrait studio to Service Centre, where it operated until 1987.

Bring a little colour home this summer. ☀️🌈Handcrafted by local artist Elaine Farina, these beautiful fused glass pieces...
08/06/2026

Bring a little colour home this summer. ☀️🌈

Handcrafted by local artist Elaine Farina, these beautiful fused glass pieces come to life when sunlight streams through your windows, filling your space with vibrant colours and warmth.

Whether you’re looking for a unique gift or a special piece to brighten your own home, these one-of-a-kind creations are a beautiful way to celebrate the season.

Visit the Kitimat Museum Gift Shop to discover Elaine’s collection and support local artistry. 💛

08/05/2026

Meet the face of our newest arrival at the Museum. 🦉
This striking Pygmy Owl was captured by acclaimed local photographer Kelly Marsh, one of Kitimat’s most celebrated artists — and an artist we’re proud to showcase at the Museum.

In this reel, Kelly takes us behind the photograph, sharing the story of how he captured this remarkable moment and what makes this little owl so special.

For generations of Kitimat residents, the Chop Suey Kitchen has been more than a restaurant—it’s been a community tradit...
07/30/2026

For generations of Kitimat residents, the Chop Suey Kitchen has been more than a restaurant—it’s been a community tradition.

Founded by Bill and Judy Mah, the business began in 1967 as a meal delivery service serving both Chinese and Western dishes. It later grew into the Dragon Room restaurant and became one of Kitimat’s longest-serving restaurants, a legacy that continues today.

Beyond great food, the Mah family built lasting connections in the community, supporting local charities, mentoring young staff, and creating a place that generations of Kitimat residents remember fondly.

Kitimat’s Chinese community in the 1950s and ‘60s may have been small, but it was vibrant, close-knit, and deeply woven ...
07/28/2026

Kitimat’s Chinese community in the 1950s and ‘60s may have been small, but it was vibrant, close-knit, and deeply woven into the life of the growing town. Among its milestones were Kitimat’s first Chinese wedding in 1958, and the participation of community members in events like the United Church’s “Tea of All Nations”.

Discover more of these remarkable stories in Passageways, now on display at the Kitimat Museum & Archives.

What a wonderful evening! ❤️A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us for the special reception of Passageways las...
07/25/2026

What a wonderful evening! ❤️

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us for the special reception of Passageways last night. It was incredibly heartwarming to see such a fantastic turnout, with members of Kitimat’s Chinese community coming together, and even families travelling all the way from Terrace to celebrate, reconnect, and enjoy the exhibition together.

Passageways, a travelling exhibition from the Chinese Canadian Museum, explores the stories, journeys, and lasting contributions of Chinese Canadians across generations. Alongside it, we’ve also curated a special display highlighting Kitimat’s own Chinese history.

If you couldn’t make the reception, the exhibition is now open to the public—we’d love to welcome you to the Kitimat Museum & Archives to experience these inspiring stories for yourself.

✨ Our Passageways Exhibition Reception is Tonight! Join us from 6–8 PM to explore the exhibition, connect with members o...
07/24/2026

✨ Our Passageways Exhibition Reception is Tonight! Join us from 6–8 PM to explore the exhibition, connect with members of the community, and enjoy complimentary Chinese snacks and refreshments. We’d love to see you there!

As part of our Passageways exhibition, we’re sharing the stories of the Chinese-Canadian families who helped shape Kitimat’s history. Today’s story features Frank Lee.

When Frank Lee arrived in Kitimat in 1956, he became part of the team at Nechako Lodge, Alcan’s guesthouse, where his warm hospitality helped welcome visitors from around the world.In 1958, Frank married Lee Ching Wong in one of the first Chinese weddings held in Kitimat.

When David Chow opened Helen’s Cafe in 1953, it became much more than Kitimat’s first Chinese restaurant. As the town’s ...
07/23/2026

When David Chow opened Helen’s Cafe in 1953, it became much more than Kitimat’s first Chinese restaurant. As the town’s first permanent Chinese-Canadian resident, David created a welcoming gathering place where the growing community came together.

By 1955, the cafe was serving an incredible 3,000 customers a day, and when it moved to Townsite in 1957, it remained one of Kitimat’s favourite places to meet, dine, and celebrate for years to come.

This is the second story in our series exploring Kitimat’s Chinese-Canadian history through our new exhibition, Passageways.

✨ Join us this Friday, July 24, from 6–8 PM for our special exhibition reception! Enjoy complimentary Chinese snacks and refreshments. Everyone is welcome!

Address

293 City Centre
Kitimat, BC
V8C1T6

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 4pm
Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 12pm - 4pm

Telephone

+12506328950

Website

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