The Golden & District Historical Society and the Golden Museum
The Golden & District Historical Society, a volunteer based registered non-profit society, was formed in 1968, and incorporated in 1969 as the Golden & District Historical Society.
After a considerable amount of fundraising the Golden & District Historical Society built the Golden Museum on land that was donated for that purpose. The Museum opened in 1974 and has been added to since it was first built.
The Golden & District Historical Society is the governing body for the Golden Museum.
WHAT WE STAND FOR
The Golden and District Historical Society is committed to preserving, promoting, and presenting the diverse history of Golden and its surrounding neighboring communities by preserving artifacts of historical relevance to Golden and Area A; by offering stimulating exhibits and providing dynamic educational programs, by providing a resource center and archives; and by making collections accessible and available. Our guiding principles are to inspire curiosity, involve our community, and share our story.
HISTORY NERD?
The Golden Museum is a place where all people can share, experience, explore, enjoy, understand, learn, and access the story of Golden, BC and its surrounding neighboring communities in the Regional District. We use our extensive collections and multiple spaces to offer a wide range of programming, from special and permanent exhibits to hands-on activities. We see approximately 3,500 people on site annually, and reach thousands more through off-site and online offerings.
THE MUSEUM
The Golden & District Historical Society, a volunteer based registered non-profit society, was formed from the 1968 and incorporated in 1969 as the Golden & District Historical Society. The Historical Society is a member driven organization with a governing board of eight members with executive meetings being held 6 times a year and member meetings 9 times a year. We have a fluctuating membership of 45, with a large number of volunteers who prefer not to be members but support us in a variety of ways.
Services
The Golden & District Historical Society provides the following services to the community and visitors to our area including:
Photograph Collection - Archives lookups - A photographic collection of over 10,000 images. 7000 images have been scanned and are available for viewing at the museum in digital format.
Golden Newspapers - The Golden Newspapers from 1891 to the present. Approximately 85,000 pages of the Golden Star have been scanned to the pdf format and are currently available to the public at the museum or by making a request online or by email.
Family Files - Family files for people working on genealogy projects that include approximately 3,500 people. The files contain information about births, deaths and marriage that took place in the collection area as well as colorful events and stories that we have written or that have been submitted to us by family members.
Maps and Plans - Our collection includes rare, unique and one of a kind maps and plans for the Golden and Area A and they number approximately 60. Several of the maps and fire insurance plans have been digitized. Maps in the collection date back to 1884.
Kids Programs - We offer a wide range of programs, activities, and events that enable visitors to “get hands-on with history,” and participate in a very personal and active way.
History Camp for Kids, a summer camp program for kids that runs Monday through Friday from 10 am to 4 pm, 6 weeks each summer. This program allows up to 48 children in Golden a chance to not only experience a summer camp where they learn about the history of the area and use the information to create a movie about the subject at hand. This camp is open to children from 6 to 12 years and spaces are free to low income families.
School Programs - that incorporate the Brisco Schoolhouse and teaching in the classroom. School groups from the local schools visit the museum annually and begin their tour in the schoolhouse. The museum is also well equipped to go into the classrooms with trunks and exhibits to do onsite teaching.
Community Events - The Historical Society is involved in several special events throughout the year that attract large numbers of people to the museum.
Canada Day is an annual event that keeps growing year after year with many young families attending the event. We have live music, old fashioned games for kids, singing of the anthem, cake and hot dogs.
Golden Museum Fall Faire, which also attracts more people each year.
FREE Resources we use and you can too!
The Golden Era Newspaper 1893-1902 can be found in the UBC Library and is searchable. Follow this link....The Golden Era
The East Kootenay Miner Newspaper 1897-1898 can be found in the UBC Library and is searchable. Follow this link.... East Kootenay Miner
The Golden Times Newspaper 1907-1909 can be found in the UBC Library and is searchable. Follow this link.... Golden Times
Quartz Creek Miner Newspaper 1897. Only one issue of this newspaper is known to exist and can be found in the UBC Library is is searchable. Follow this link.... Quartz Creek Miner
BC Vital Statistics for births, deaths, and marriages can be found on the Royal BC Museum Website but you can search it free here....Genealogy
Golden Municipal Cemetery Records can be found on Find A Grave....Follow this link