MUSEUM
The Nelson Museum, Archives & Gallery acknowledges that the Museum resides on the traditional unceded territory of the Sinixt and Ktunaxa people.
We would like to thank and acknowledge the Sinixt, Yaqan Nukiy Ktunaxa, and the Métis people for the opportunity to live, learn, and share in cultural experiences in this beautiful place.
The Nelson Museum, Archives & Gallery is in one of Nelson’s historically significant buildings. This composite Chateauesque-Richardsonian Romanesque style building attractively combines granite, Kaslo marble, local common brick and pink brick from Spokane, Washington. The lot, situated on the southeast corner of Ward and Vernon Streets, was purchased by the Federal Government for $11,000 in 1902; the building was constructed as a facility for the Postal, Customs and Inland Revenue services. In 1962, the post office relocated to the Gray Building next door, and Nelson’s municipal government offices moved in. The passage of a referendum in 2003 allowed for the relocation of City Hall to the provincial building across the street, and in 2006 the Nelson Museum moved in.
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The Museum
The 2nd Floor Museum Exhibit is provides not only the local history of the region, but also includes visual and interactive modules to inspire critical thinking and open discourse.
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The Collection
The Collection has an inventory of over 7,000 objects and growing, all with historical significance for our region.
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The Nelson Sports Collection
Celebrate the incredible achievements of some of the region’s most prolific athletes – across multiple decades and multiple sports.
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Cold War Bunker
During the height of the Cold War, nearly 50 bunkers were constructed across Canada – including one in Nelson – to shelter up to 8,000 officials in the event of a nuclear war. The exhibition explains the role of the bunker in the context of the extraordinary world wide tensions at that time.
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Social Justice
We support and celebrate the history of Nelson’s 2SLGBTQQIA+ community, and continue to create a space where everyone in our community feels safe, welcome, and included.
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