 The Okanagan Historical Society 77th Annual Report is now available at the Summerland Museum. The 2013 report includes many items with a Summerland Connection including: Duncan Woods, Summerland Ornamental Gardens, Blewett Gardens, Pacific Agri-food Research Station, an expanded section on the First Nations, Okanagan-Similkameen Parks Society, South Okanagan Naturalists Club and much more. Buy a book for just $25.00 and you get a free one- year membership to the Okanagan Historical Society. Museum Hours: Oct. to May - Wed. to Sat. 1pm - 4pm & June to Sept.- Tues to Sat. 10am to 4pm. THE MUSEUM ALSO HAS AN ORIGINAL COPY OF EVERY REPORT PUBLISHED SINCE 1926 TO DATE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC IN THEIR RESEARCH LIBRARY. THERE IS ALSO A GREAT SELECTION OF PREVIOUS YEARS AVAILABLE FOR SALE. Previous years new for $10 and previous years used $5.00.  Sherril Foster's latest book is a biography about an early and very talented photographer, Mary Spencer. She was a Summerland resident and a very successful photographer in an era when women were certainly not encouraged to enter the business world. Available at the Summerland Museum.  SUMMERLAND MUSEUM'S NEW EXHIBIT EXPLORES THE HISTORY OF THE FIRST JAPANESE COMMUNITY IN SUMMERLAND. To celebrate Asian Heritage Month in May, the Summerland Museum opened their new exhibit Doe Shi Kai “Coming to the New World with Great Hopes”. The exhibit tells the story of the first Japanese community in Summerland from its immigrants, its difficulties and successes while maintaining the community’s identity and eventual integration into a predominantly caucasian settlement. It presents the Japanese community’s own history through family photographs and interviews, as well as individual forms of expression (e.g. carving, haiku, calligraphy, dancing, etc.). In the early years Summerland had a large Japanese Canadian population. They made many contributions towards the growth, development and cultural diversity of the town. Most of the second generation following the Second World War left Summerland to continue their education and careers elsewhere. The present Japanese Canadian population of Summerland is reduced. This display in the Tait Room celebrating the Asian influence of our town’s history is important to honour the older generation, obtain their stories and celebrate their culture. The local Japanese community has been very generous in loaning and/or donating their personal treasures to the Museum for the exhibition and donating their time and expertise to ensure that it is properly presented. The Museum is open in May, Wednesday to Saturday, 1pm to 4pm and from June to October, Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 4pm. (email: info@summerlandmuseum.org or phone 250-494-9395 for more information) |
