Went to the museum searching for information around grandfather and grandmother dating back to the 1800's. Spent 3 hours reading through files and files of great information, exactly what we were looking for. Absolutely amazed at this museum's ability to put together so many valuable bits of history. The volunteers are dedicated and caring individuals who obviously love their work, it certainly shows in what is offered here. The museum is also the tourist information centre so if you are going through Greenwood, stop, relax and enjoy this walk through history, you will not be sorry!
The museum completely captures the essence of Greenwood's up and down history. The boom days of the 1890's to 1918 are very well presented. It certainly helps to have a humongous tailings pile with abandoned mine structures just down the street. Plus, Greenwood's city centre still comprises many of the buildings from that era. Greenwood's decline through the thirties to near extinction is very well captured. An invitation from Greenwood's Mayor to Japanese-Canadians displaced by their forced evacuation from coastal British Columbia in 1942 reversed the decline. Greenwood survived and is today Canada's smallest city. The exhibits relating to this period are rather poignant as Greenwood was one of the only places to welcome displaced Japanese-Canadians. Over 200 came. The museum documents one of the only positive events of this otherwise very shameful chapter in Canadian history. Many people could learn about tolerance and its rewards from a visit to the museum. The Japanese aspect is of national interest and anyone passing through Greenwood with their family would benefit from visiting the museum to gain a better understanding of how the displaced Japanese fared. Overall, we appreciated its focus on the local area and the supplementary information provided. The dedication of its staff and volunteers is certainly reflected in the quality of its exhibits. The museum is well "signed" on south side of the main street (Crows Nest Hwy 3) with ample parking. It also serves as the local Visitors' Centre.
We are delighted to hear you enjoyed your visit to the Greenwood Museum! Please come and visit us again and be sure and ask for a tour of the old courthouse, built in 1903.
It only took about a half hour to see the museum, but it was worth the trip. The little town of Greenwood is a phtographers dream.
A lot of BC history occurred in Greenwood and this small museum does an excellent job of informing us about it. Especially the displays regarding the unfortunate Canadian decision to confiscate the belongings and remove persons of Japanese origin from the west coast to the interior of BC and Canada after Dec 8, 1941. Greenwood deserves a mention as an example of the kind of caring which Canada is now so well known for.
Lots of local info, enthusiastic staff. City Hall worth touring with museum staff. Lots of info on one of Western Canadas earliest cities. They did a great job of researching the history of John Jarrette's history and ties to the infamous James Gang!!
Interesting historical artifacts in this museum located in Canada's smallest city.
BC州南端でアメリカと国境を接する地域、通称「Boundary Country」での一番小さな町 Greenwood。「カナダで一番小さな町」と自慢した案内板がありました。ハイウエイを運転していて瞬きをする間に通りすぎてしまいそうな、西部劇にでも出てきそうな、小さな小さな「ゴーストタウン」風の町です。太平洋戦争中に日系カナダ人がGreenwoodに強制収容された歴史があり、その歴史を伝える「日系人コーナー」がこの博物館にはありました。わが同胞の先達の生活を思い、当時の記録を後世に残してくれている、こんな小さな町の善意に感謝して、入り口の募金箱にきっちりとドネーションも残してきました。ついでながら、工藤夕貴が主演して1999年に公開されたアメリカ映画「Snow Falling on Cedars」はここでロケされたもので、映画のポスターもしっかりと展示されていました。(写真はそのポスターです)
Thank you for your review. We are glad you enjoyed your visit to our museum and hope that you will come to visit us again.
A small museum (to match the small town) but very keen and helpful staff. It was well worth the visit. I wish we had more of these.