Join us at the Summerland Museum for a presentation by military historian Kelsey Lonie on her new book "A Vacation for Victory: An Illustrated History of the Women's Land Army of Canada".

During both World Wars, women and girls across Canada were mobilized for farm work. Serving in orchards, fields, and on farms, the women and girls of Canada’s Women’s Land Army planted, picked, and packed food to sustain the nation while men fought overseas. Ontario recruited thousands of women. In British Columbia, the program started off slowly until women from Saskatchewan and Alberta joined in high numbers—many drawn by a mix of patriotism, opportunity, and adventure. One woman even ventured out to BC from as far away as Dartmouth, Nova Scotia!

Patriotic duty is only part of the story: farming was made complicated by price ceilings, increased production, and racial tensions. These pressures only intensified after the bombing of Pearl Harbour.

Drawing on letters, newspapers, interviews, hundreds of photographs and works of art, and her own grandmother’s stories, Lonie restores visibility and value to the women who served their country on the farm front.

About the author:
Kelsey Lonie (BEd, MA History) was raised on a cattle ranch in Southern Saskatchewan, a setting that fostered her passion for the history of this province and the women who helped shape it. After nearly a decade as a classroom educator, she is now the Regimental Historian for the Royal Regina Rifles and the Executive Director and Chief Historian of RUSI Regina. Kelsey sits on the board of directors for the Organization of Military Museums Canada (OMMC) and acts as editor of its quarterly Bulletin. This is her second book.

Entry is by donation.

Seating is limited, so please arrive early to guarantee a seat.

The book will be available for purchase after the talk.

The Summerland Museum is hitting the road this summer!

In addition to our regular exhibits and programming at our bricks-and-mortar Museum, you can now catch us with a mini-museum and fun activities at a variety of local venues throughout the summer.

Join us today at Summerland Aquatic Centre!

To celebrate the addition of our new Bert Simpson Insect Collection exhibit, we are hosting a drop-in entomology event! Join us for hands-on kids’ activities from 10-11am on Thursday July 9th. Educational displays and additional insect cases will be on exhibit for the whole day! This is an event designed to be enjoyed by all ages.

Where?

Summerland Museum & Archives

9521 Wharton St, Summerland

When?

Hands-on children's activities from 10-11am

Expanded educational exhibit from 10am-4pm

Hope to see you there!

Join us at the Summerland Rotary Sunday Market on Main St. Summerland every Sunday throughout the summer!

Visit the Museum stall to chat with museum staff and volunteers, discover the fascinating history of Summerland, handle unusual artifacts, find out about Museum events, and browse our gift shop merchandise.

We are excited to be holding a Kid's Drop-in Geology Workshop at the Museum! This event will have self-guided geology activities for families to explore Summerland's rich geological history!

Where?

Summerland Museum

9521 Wharton St, Summerland, BC

When?

Thursday, July 2, 10am-4pm

Hope to see you there!!

Happy Canada Day! The Museum is closed, but you can find us at Memorial Park instead!

Join us at the Summerland Legion’s Canada Day BBQ and party in the park.

11am - 1.30pm

Flag-raising and time capsule ceremony

Free BBQ and cake

Stalls and games

We will have a pop-up Museum there!

Join us at the Summerland Rotary Sunday Market on Main St. Summerland every Sunday throughout the summer!

Visit the Museum stall to chat with museum staff and volunteers, discover the fascinating history of Summerland, handle unusual artifacts, find out about Museum events, and browse our gift shop merchandise.

Join us for a special talk and demonstration of the telegraph by expert Tim Taylor.

Learn about the history of the telegraph and the impact it had on local communities, then see it in action as Tim demonstrates Morse Code on the Museum's fully functioning telegraph. There will even be the opportunity to have a go yourself and try your hand at sending a live telegram to the other museums connected to us on the Alberta MTC Line!

Entry by donation.
Seating is limited and first-come, first-served. Please arrive early to secure your seat

Join us at the Summerland Rotary Sunday Market on Main St. Summerland every Sunday throughout the summer!

Visit the Museum stall to chat with museum staff and volunteers, discover the fascinating history of Summerland, handle unusual artifacts, find out about Museum events, and browse our gift shop merchandise.

Looking for ways to give back, get more involved, and connect with your Summerland community?

Join us for the Community Volunteer Fair — a chance to meet local nonprofits, charities, and community groups all in one place. Discover volunteer opportunities for all ages, interests, and schedules while connecting with neighbours who care about making a positive impact.

A wide range of different organisations will be represented at the fair. Whether you're interested in history, art, gardening, animals, or healthcare, explore the various volunteer opportunities available to you here in Summerland and discover how you can make a difference in your community.

Please join us for our 2026 AGM!

Date: 9th May, 1.30pm

Location: The George Ryga Arts and Cultural Centre, 9525 Wharton St., Summerland

*Special presentation on the highlights of 2025
*Financial and staff reports
*Election of Directors

RSVP to admin@summerlandmuseum.org or by calling 250-494-9395

Today is the last day to get your winning bids in! Don’t miss this opportunity to get your hands on unusual and unique collectables and curios!

AUCTION LINK COMING SOON

Learn about why Summerland is called a "geologic wonderland" from our local expert, geologist Andrew Holder.

The contingent will meet at the Summerland Museum at 10 am and a map of the meeting spots will be provided. Participants will drive their own cars or carpool with others. There will be minimal to no walking.

At 1pm the group will meet at Bread and Cheese Food Truck for lunch and discussion. Included in the registration fee is a lunch of a sandwich and soft drink/coffee

Registration: $55 per person or $50 per person for SMAS Members

Space is limited in this tour - to register, please call 250-494-9395 or visit us in-person at the Museum Tuesday - Saturday, 10am -4pm. Thank you!

Don't miss this opportunity to purchase unique collectibles, antiques, and curios!

The auction will be online, with the collection of purchased items from the Museum.

AUCTION LINK COMING SOON!

Get your bids in before 4th May - all funds raised go towards caring for the Summerland Museum's permanent collections. Thanks for supporting the preservation of our local heritage!

Help us kick off Earth Week by joining us for this interactive, family-friendly geology presentation led by expert geologist Andrew Holder!

No reservation needed.

Participation by donation.

Calling all budding geologists!

Join us on Easter Saturday, 4th April, between 10am and 4pm, for a drop-in kids' geology workshop.

Handle hundreds of rocks and minerals

Examine fossils

Play 'Rock Bingo'

Entry by donation

As the nights draw in and the weather turns cold, what could be better than getting together with friends and passing the time playing crib?

Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just learning the ropes, all ages and skill levels are welcome to join in the fun.

No reservation needed, no entry charge, we'll even provide the boards! Enjoy refreshments by donation, challenge your friends, and maybe meet a new playing partner. We can’t wait to see our regular players and, hopefully, a few new faces at our tables!

Celebrate Summerland’s heritage through the medium of food!

As part of BC Heritage Week we invite you to connect with your ancestors by exploring the recipes they would have known and loved (or hated!).

The Summerland Museum is hosting a baking exchange, in which participants bring along a dish made from a recipe from days-gone-by to share with the group. Participants are welcome to make a recipe from their own family or select one from the Museum’s archive. The group will enjoy samples of each of the dishes in this historical-potluck, and share the stories behind the recipes.

Registration is required. Please email info@summerlandmuseum.org to register

Limited space available. Register soon to reserve your place!

Celebrate Family Day by joining us at the museum for family-friendly activities!

- Visit our craft table to make your own "snacklace" to take home (and snack on!)
- Hunt amongst the exhibits for the Family Day I-Spy Challenge character
- Dress up as a historical figure and take your family photo in our train station exhibit
- Sound the horn on the model train and search the model railway for the hidden figures

Entry to the museum and all the activities are free - donations gratefully received!

BC Heritage Week 16th-22nd February 2026

Food brings us together.

It links us to the land and to traditions, ties us to our families and ancestors, and connects cultures and communities.

The 2026 BC Heritage Week theme, Stir the Pot is an open invitation to celebrate food as a form of heritage that is both deeply personal and widely shared.

Stir the Pot also suggests advocacy. It is a call to spark conversation, to bring overlooked stories to the surface, and to address issues of food security, cultural recognition and access. By stirring the pot together, we not only honour traditions but also create space for dialogue and discussion.

We invite you to celebrate Summerland’s heritage with us this week with our series of activities, presentations and workshops, all based around the theme of Stir the Pot