#MuseumAlphabet
In March 2020, we created a #MuseumAlphabet showcase of our collection!
We’ve compiled it all here as well so it’s accessible at any time.
A is for Ambulance!
Father Pat's Memorial Ambulance was built after the legendary minister had left Rossland and unfortunately passed away in 1902.
He left a profound impression on his flock in the Kootenays - and when word spread of his unfortunate death, Rosslanders raised the money to build a memorial ambulance currently in the museum and a drinking fountain now located on the Columbia Avenue and Queen Street intersection.
We have a page on Father Pat, the memorial ambulance, and our ongoing preservation efforts with assistance from I/O Design & Engineering: Click Here (or click the ambulance image)
B is for our rich brewing history!
With so many thirsty miners in town, our streets have seen their fair share of breweries and pubs! This is a light-up sign from the Le Roi Brewery - in operation from 1897 to 1917 (BC's prohibition years were 1917-1920).
Visit the Rossland Beer Company for Rossland's brewing history in the making. Check out their page for hours.
C is for Rossland's old Capital Theatre and the chairs in our collection!
On Tuesday, March 12th, 1974 at 9pm, downtown Rossland shook as the roof of the Capitol Theatre collapsed under the heavy weight of rain-soaked snow. The theatre did not go down quietly. As the roof fell, it pushed the side walls outward and damaged nearby buildings. The north wall leaned against the neighouring laundromat, and the south wall crashed into nearby buildings across the lane. The force of the collapse was so strong that it threw the doors, partitions, concrete, and glass all across Washington street, taking telephone lines down. Luckily, the theatre was no longer in operation. The theatre operated from 1931 to the late 1950s. It was then sold to Fame Construction in 1964.
In the late 1960s, the Rossland Independent Order of Oddfellows & Rebekah Lodge purchased the seats from the theatre, saving them from being destroyed by the future roof collapse. Before the lodge was sold in May 2003 and subsequently demolished, the seats were saved again when they were donated to the Rossland Museum.
They are still in use today in our Cominco Theatre for daily film showings and special presentations.
D is for Dewdney!
The Dewdney Trail is a 720km trail that served as a major thoroughfare in mid-19th century British Columbia.
It was named after Edgar Dewdney, a British engineer and political figure. Here is his top hat, hat box, and some cuff links - on loan from his descendant - Sam McBride. For more information on Edgar Dewdney and the Dewdney Trail, check out the Virtual Museum of Canada exhibit developed by Touchstones Nelson in partnership with a number of kootenay museums: Click Here
Here is the biography of Edgar Dewdney as well: Click Here
E is for Elephant Brand Fertilizer!
Smoke from the Trail Smelter was found to be damaging crops in Washington State and an International Joint Commission imposed a strict monitoring and operating control regime on the smelter to reduce smoke.
Cominco (now Teck) solved much of this problem in 1930 by building a pioneering plant to produce agricultural fertilizers from smoke byproducts such as sulphuric acid. Under the "Elephant Brand" name, these fertilizers became famous throughout North America.
Because fertilizer produced in Trail in the 1930s was being sold in distant markets, often where little, if any, English was spoken, a symbol, rather than a name was needed as the trademark for the product. An agent in the Philippines suggested the elephant - a symbol of wisdom and purity in China, a powerful animal when used properly, a farm animal in some parts of Asia - above all, an animal that is universally recognized and respected.
F is for Frogs!
Specifically two of our local frogs species! The Columbian Spotted Frog may be found near permanent lakes, ponds, and slow moving streams!
You might find it around Nancy Greene Lake, the reservoire, or wetlands. Or maybe you'll HEAR the Pacific Chorus Frog - known to produce a loud and distinctive mating call during its breeding season in spring. Pacific Chorus Frogs are likely to be found in open woods and forest margins clambering about amidst the stems and foliage of shrubby vegetation.
More Columbia Spotted Frog info (including a sound recording and citizen science info): Click Here
More Pacific Chorus Frog info: Click Here
G is for this Grinder for coffee from Rossland's Hunter Brothers' Store!
This is a Swift Mill Lane Brothers coffee grinder dating from the early 1900s.
The Hunter Brothers operated general stores in Rossland from 1895 to 1959. For more info on the Hunter Brothers and the heritage building currently housing Curiosity Clothing and Gifts, Rossland Beer Company, and Revolution Cycles: Click Here
H is for Hockey!
The Rossland Ladies' Hockey Team formed to play in the 1900 Rossland Winter Carnival as a "novelty."
However, for almost two decades, the team was virtually undefeated and won the BC Women's Hockey Championship four more times. The team was inducted into the BC Sports Hall of Fame in 2018. For more info: Click Here
I is for Irons!
From sad irons to this vintage necktie restorer, we have quite the collection of irons. The five shown here are but a very small portion of the irons in our household collection.
You could find all kinds of irons at the Hunter Brothers' Store
Object Numbers: 1978.1006.1, 1957.166.5, 1985.28.2, 2
013.009.004, and 2011.003.006
J is for Jubilee!
Here is a license plate from Rossland's Diamond (50th) Jubilee in 1957. Did you know that on our 75th Jubilee, Rosslanders started a three-day long event called "Golden City Days" - a celebration of the town's beginning as a gold mining camp.
Rossland Golden City Days Committee is looking for some help in planning future celebrations: https://bit.ly/2J3a5ZU
Object Number 2009.009.056
K is for Kirkup!
Rossland's first law enforcement officer and later provincial gold commissioner was John Kirkup. The cane here was reportedly all Kirkup (at 6ft 3in and well-respected) needed to maintain law and order in early Rossland.
This leather-bound, steel cane is rumoured to have been fashioned for him by an ex-convict with a lot of time on his hands.
Object Number 1958.205.001
L is for Lunch Box!
Here's a miner's lunch box with two tiers of storage and a cup up top!
Before the Rossland miner's union - WFM Local 38 - helped change labour laws, including 8-hour days, miners would often work underground for 10-12 hours a day.
For more info on the miners union and the Rossland Miners Hall: Click Here
M is for the Mountain Goat & the origin of Huckleberry, a Sinixt oral history from their creation story
This story (chap’tikwl) was told to anthropologist William Elmendorf by elder Nancy Wynecoop in 1935-36.
This is exactly the chap’tikwl as it appears in Elmendorf’s notebook.
Read the full story by clicking here
Labelled as extinct by the Canadian government in 1956 despite their continued existence, and often confused with other neighbouring indigenous groups, the history of the Sinixt First Nation that lived here before the mining camps and continued to live in the area has largely been ignored.
However, it is important to acknowledge that the West Kootenays, as well as Rossland in particular, is a key part of the Sinixt Nation’s traditional land. Take some time to explore more about the Sinixt Nation on their website. We also have a bit of information on our website at: Click Here
N is for Nancy Greene Raine!
Did you know Nancy Greene had a board game?? The Nancy Greene's Great Downhill Ski Game was put out by Waddintons House of Games in 1969.
Players could use a variety of tiles to make a pathway down the mountain, avoiding trees as they go. It was a great variation on the Snakes And Ladders type game for the skiing enthusiasts out there! Did you ever play this game?
For more information on Former Senator Nancy Greene Raine, check out our in-progress webpage: Click Here
Object number 2008.15.1
O is for Olaus!
This is a Norwegian style hat that is often associated with Olaus Jeldness - the father of competitive skiing.
Olaus brought his love for downhill skiing, ski running, and ski jumping to this mining boom town. Some of our volunteers have been hard at work (from home) knitting brand new Olaus hats both for some photo opportunities AND as a museum fundraiser!
Donated by Nancy Greene. Object number 1990.31.31
Find out more about Olaus Jeldness: Click Here
Or more on Nancy Greene: Click Here
P is for Perfume!
Phul - Nana Perfume was created in 1891 by J. Grossmith & Sons, a London perfume house. Translating to lovely flower, the perfume was known for its fresh, sweet floral composition, with warm woody undertones.
The fragrance is still available for purchase today, and this bottle dates from the early 1900s. This particular object is on display in our Vices exhibit.
Object number 1981.1112.1
Q is for Queens!
Rossland has had its fair share of Queens!
This photo is of the 1959 Sno-Sho (Winter Carnival) crowning with Queen Nancy Sjoberg!
The crown was presented to the Golden City Days Queen at Rossland's annual Golden City Days celebrations, circa 1970s.
Learn some more about the Winter Carnival: Click Here
Object No. 1987.51.1b
Photo No. 2358.0080
R is for our Renewal Project!
We are still working away at Phase Two - the Mine Experience. 2009 was the final year of the underground mine experience in the Black Bear Mine portal, and we've been working hard at a Renewal of the museum and our program offerings as far back as 2012!
We completed a major renovation in 2017, which allowed for many new exhibitions, bringing Father Pat's memorial ambulance indoors, a new archives room, and more!
Phase Two will be a replacement, above-ground mine experience where we can explore the eccentricities of hard-rock mining in the Rossland area, the physical geology of our region, the life cycle of a mine, power generation and technological advances stemming from the Rossland Mines progress, and much more!
To keep up to date with our progress, follow our renewal page
S is for Stove!
We have a few stoves in our collection, but our favourites are definitely the cabin stoves meticulously designed and thoughtfully created by Cookie L'Ecluse individually for each cabin that he contributed to throughout the Rossland Range!
“Cookie” L’Ecluse and “Booty” Griffiths were two of the most prolific cabin builders in the Rossland Range. Many of the cabins still in the Rossland Range were originally built by the two of them with a whole group of friends and volunteers over the years. The cabins were built so people could have a place to take shelter or warm up while out enjoying skiing or hiking in the backcountry.
For more history on the Rossland cabins, check out our in progress cabins page: Click Here
Another great stove is displayed in the Hunter Brothers Store: A Boss No. 20 heater from the McClary Manufacturing Company (London, ON) from the late 1890s. Object No. 1982.82.1
T is for Time Clock
Consolidated Mining & Smelting Company Ltd. (now Teck) employees used this very time clock to record their work shifts. Each employee was given a number to register their attendance every work day - the same number was used elsewhere, including on equipment and sometimes to record where they were in a mine.
This time clock was developed by International Business Machines (IBM).
"NOTICE Any Man Who Intentionally Punches Another Man's Clock Number, or Any Man Who Allows Another Man to Punch For Him, is Subject to Instant Dismissal"
U is for Union!
Rossland was home to the very first Canadian installment of the Western Federation of Miners' Union - Local 38.
Object Nos. 1954.16.1, 1971.515.1 - Union badges; Union Membership cards. These items are on display in our union case in the Entrance Gallery.
For more info on mine safety and some of the lead up to the union strike in the early 1900s: Click Here
V is for Velvet!
Here we have a beautiful Victorian-era, velvet travelling suit. Women's travelling suits were popular during the 1890s and made up of a matching skirt and jacket worn over a shirtwaist (similar to a blouse).
The jackets ranged from plain to decorative with embroidery or embellished with ruffles and lace.
Object number 1987.42.1
W is for Winter Carnival!
Rossland held its first Winter Carnival in 1898. Past events have included ski running (now downhill skiing), cross-country skiing, tobogganing, skating, snowshoeing, snow canoeing, smoosh racing, and more!
These last two races have always intrigued us while exploring the event's history! Smoosh races had teams of three to four individuals tied in to two 2x4s and racing along Columbia Avenue. Teams in the Snow Canoe races would use ores (or sticks) to "row" down Columbia Avenue in homemade boats.
Pictured are the Smoosh Race Trophy (1948-52) and the Snow Canoe Race Trophy (1948-60). Object numbers 2001.4.1 and 2011.002.001
For more info on the Winter Carnival: Click Here
X is for X-acto!
This is an x-acto knife set from our collection - provenance unknown. The X-acto brand was formed in 1930.
Object no. 2013.009.056
Y is for Yodel Inn!
Nestled next to one of RED’s most scenic ski runs – Rino’s Run, The Yodel Inn is an iconic part of Rossland history. Built in 1944 by his father, Wake Williams has been taking care of the Yodel Inn for almost 50 years.
Unlike the cabins in the Rossland Range, this shelter is not open to public use. However, if you spot Wake’s prayer flags hanging from the roof, that means he's welcoming visitors!
Check out our webpage on the cabins, which includes some videos Wake has done with RED Mountain Resort and Rossland: Click Here
"Hike up to Grey where all my friends are ski-in At Yodel Inn. Just turn me loose let me slide and glide along on top of the powder snow On my old skis let me wander over yonder where I see old Glory glow I want to ride through the basin where the creek begins Ski through the trees with their frosty limbs Shake off my troubles and put on those grins At Yodel Inn." from "At Yodel Inn" Composed by Mrs. Ches Edwards to the tune of "Don't fence me in"
Z is for Zimbabwe!
Did you know that Rossland participated in the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Municipal Partnerships Program in the 1990s, which involved travelling to Nyanga, Zimbabwe to work on things like financial administration, equipment maintenance, and housing construction!?
This drinking gourd and wooden knife were two of the gifts presented to the Rossland delegation upon their visit to Nyanga.
Object numbers 1996.28.4, 1996.28.3