Shared History with Sister City Chelan, WA

Many people in Oliver are aware we are paired with a sister city in Japan: Bandai.

But did you know Oliver also has a sister city just south of the border:  Chelan, Washington? What makes Chelan and Oliver “sisters”? What similarities in our history, peoples, and culture bring us together?  

Visit the Oliver Museum until June 15th to view the display designed by the Chelan Museum. The exhibit includes this old camera, once owned by a Chelan photographer, compared to Ansel Adams for his nature photography.  The exhibit also includes an array of attractive apple crate labels, and native artefacts.

Darryl Mackenzie, curator of the Oliver Museum, will be putting together a similar display for the Chelan Museum, to reciprocate in this cross-border event. Check out the Chelan Museum website here: http://chelanmuseum.com/

Hey! Did you know the Oliver Museum used to be the police detachment? Downstairs was the public offices and jail, and upstairs were the living quarters for the senior officer.  Check out the history of the building as well as the history and culture of our sister city. Darryl is full of fascinating  information, and just waiting for you to pick his brain!

Oliver Museum
9728 – 356th Ave., just north of Oliver’s Town Hall
museumdirector @ persona.ca
Museum Hours: 9 – 12 noon and 1 – 4 p.m. Monday to Friday

Don’t forget the Oliver and District Heritage Society AGM on Wednesday May 18, 7 p.m.  at the Quail’s Nest Arts Centre.  Geologist and artist Dr. Murray Roed is the guest speaker on the topic of “Roadside Geology”.  The public is welcome. See below for the full article.

Photo credit: Penelope Johnson

Hunt for Monopoly no trivial pursuit

Got game?

The Oliver and District Heritage Society’s Museum and Archives is on the hunt, and it’s no trivial pursuit! Museum director Darryl MacKenzie is searching for “the oldest Monopoly game in town” as part of an upcoming exhibit.

“These may be gathering dust in a back closet somewhere, and may have more value at the museum at this time,” suggests MacKenzie. “I would really appreciate hearing from people who may have a set from before 1950, but 1950 to 1970 is passable.”

Do not pass go, do not collect $200, until you search your cupboards! Does your game look anything like the images shown here?  While a dusty Monopoly game may not be considered as valuable a property as  Park Place or Boardwalk, it will be an invaluable contribution to what sounds like an entertaining  exhibit.

Think you may just have the oldest game in Oliver? Please contact:

Darryl MacKenzie,
250-498-0490
museumdirector@persona.ca

or visit the

Oliver Museum
9728 – 356th Ave., opposite Town Hall
Open Tuesday through Saturday,
9 to 12 noon, and 1 to 4 p.m.