About
The Fernie Museum & Visitor Information Centre is located in one of Fernie's distinctive heritage buildings at 491 2nd Ave. The building itself, an important example of Fernie's rich history, boasts a main floor exhibit hall with the visitor info centre, as well as a lovely Museum Gallery on the 2nd floor. Public washrooms are available on each floor.
Our dual service as info centre and Museum allows visitors to discover a little about Fernie's colourful past while learning what Fernie and its businesses have to offer for recreation, entertainment, shopping, accommodation and services.
Fernie's early history as well as changing exhibits on various themes are presented on the main floor.
Our Museum Gallery on the 2nd floor, features solo and group exhibitions by local, and regional artists, as well as local and touring historical exhibits. Gallery programming aims to promote professionalism and foster appreciation for arts and culture and bring awareness to the museum’s wealth of archival and artifact material.
Artists and Curators working in any medium or discipline are eligible to apply. The Museum Gallery is a beautiful space and is also available for meetings, lectures, readings, and social gatherings.
Contact Information for Museum Gallery Submissions:
Main Floor Exhibit Hall
Proposals should be marked Attn. Museum Gallery Committee, please contact us.
or by post: Fernie Museum, P.O. Box 1527 Fernie BC. V0B1M0
or stop by in person to meet with or arrange a meeting with a Gallery Committee representative.
491 2nd Ave. Fernie 250-423-7016
SERVICES
The Fernie Museum offers a number of services including - historical walking tours (phone for appointment); services and programs to schools and groups; archival research for family histories, publications, film and video productions and heritage building restoration.
The museum has a number of books for sale on the history of Fernie, as well as historical photographs printed on archival quality paper.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Get involved , meet new people, learn about local history and make a difference in your community. Whether behind the scenes or working with visitors, there are many opportunities for volunteering at the Fernie Museum. Just call 250-423-7016 and add your name and contact info to our volunteer list!
-museum docent- meeting and greeting visitors, providing information about our community and or Fernie's history
-helping produce newsletters
-film production
-marketing
-outreach programs- schools, seniors, children, visitors
-theatre- an exciting and engaging way to tell Fernie's stories.
-data entry
-web site updates
-archival research
-help with exhibit research, design, and or installation
-handyman (helping build and install exhibits, building repair/upkeep, restoration)
-fundraising
-oral histories- help document stories of Fernie's elder citizens
-Become a board member and be involved with decision making and direction of FDHS
-join a committee
More about the Historical Society-
The Fernie & District Historical Society was founded in 1964 and is dedicated to recording and presenting the history of Fernie, by collecting and displaying photographs, artifacts and documents relating to Fernie's development. Homeless for the first 15 years, the Society struck an agreement with the Holy Family Church to use the vacant rectory behind the Church as a museum site. Displays in the museum were designed to showcase life in Fernie in the early part of the twentieth century.
On August 4, 1979, coinciding with Fernie's Diamond Jubilee, the museum was officially opened. The rectory served as Fernie's museum for twenty years until 1999 when the Church realized that it would soon need the property for its own purposes. The artifacts and exhibits are now in storage until a new home is found.
Rectory Museum: The former Catholic rectory that served as Fernie's Museum for twenty years. FDHS Collection
In the late 1990’s a new group of passionate individuals became involved, and with their knowledge, and vision, brought new direction and ideas to the Society. They began the digitization of the archives, expanded the image collection, created the first Fernie Historical Calendar, published the “Heritage Walking Tour” and took the museum to the people with satellite exhibits around the community.
In 2004 as part of Fernie’s Centennial Celebrations a temporary museum was opened. Centrally located at 362B 2nd Avenue it was to operate only for the months of July, August and September. This proved to be a very successful endeavor which prompted the Society, working with community partners (Fernie Chamber of Commerce and the City of Fernie), to continue to operate a combined Museum & Visitor Information Centre.
The Society remains very active in a number of ways: Creating satellite exhibits throughout town. Publication of Fernie's Heritage Walking Tour, Centennial Book and Historical Calendars; yearly exhibits at the Arts Station; helping to organize celebrations around significant events in Fernie's history; assisting community organizations on projects (Minors Monument, Ukrainian Internment Monument, Figure Skating Club Exhibit, City of Fernie, Advisory Planning Committee and many more.)
The Society also provides services and programs to schools and the public as well as providing archival research for family histories,publications, film and video productions and heritage building restoration.
Each year the Fernie & District Historical Society responds to over 200 requests for archival information.
An important part of our community function is to provide information to the people of Fernie as well as visitors from around the world. In our temporary location over 9,000 people visited us annually. This number has increased over 50% in our new location - the newly renovated 1910 Home Bank building at 491 2nd Ave.
None of this would be possible without support from these community businesses and individuals
For opportunities to donate funds, volunteer time or services, or to become a member, please contact us or by phone- 250-423 7016
SERVICES AND PRODUCTS LIST
RESEARCH SERVICES
Basic Research Rate - $35.00 per hour
Family Information – Generally free of charge
Historical Topics – Depending on if information is readily available it may be free of charge
or the research rate may apply.
PHOTO SALES – Historical images of Fernie printed on archival quality paper.
PRICE LIST – 2010-2011
One Time Non Commercial Use
Photo Size -
5"x7” Non Member $20.00 Member $15.00
8"x10” Non Member $30.00 Member $25.00
11”x14” Non Member $45.00 Member $40.00
11”x17” Non Member $55.00 Member $50.00
Commercial Use – Price negotiable
BOOK SALES – PRICE LIST 2010
Walking Tour
Fernie – A Celebration of 100 Years HC $31.00 
Centennial Book
Backtracking with Fernie & District Historical Society Pb.$10.00
Heritage Walking Tour Guidebook Pb.$5.00
A World Apart Pb.$20.00
Annual Historical Calendar $ 10.00
Depression Stories by Sidney Hutcheson Pb.$5.00
Well’a Board by Sidney Hutcheson Pb.$5.00
The Curse by Sidney Hutcheson Pb.$5.00
Historical Calendars – Earlier Years $5.00
Heritage Postcards $1.00