Exhibits and Gift Shop
Open July 1st
Hours
Tuesday – Sunday | 10am – 4pm
Closed Mondays
Upcoming Museum Events
Gabriola Museum Opens July 1st!
We are looking forward to welcoming you back to the Gabriola Museum! The Museum is opening in a phased way. We want to be thoughtful and make sure visitors, volunteers and staff know and understand the protocols we will have in place.
Hours of Operation
The Museum will open Tuesday to Sunday, 10 am to 4 pm. The Museum will be closed on Mondays.
Please contact us for a private booking for groups larger than 4 and up to 15 during this time.
Museum COVID-19 Safety Plan Protocols
Outside the Museum protocols will be posted on how to enter the Museum. Plexiglass wall dividers will be set up at the reception and cash areas to follow social distancing guidelines, to protect visitors and gift shop staff.
Once in the Museum, you will find pathway directions outlined by our animal tracks around the Museum. The pathway will allow for social distancing and create a proper flow through the exhibits. Some exhibits, which are high touch, will be modified. Hand sanitizing stations will be installed near such displays, as well as increased frequency for cleaning. We are looking for alternatives to continue to provide interactive experiences for our visitors. Such as touchless, no-contact audio-visual displays, and self-guided bike tours.
The Archives will be closed until further notice. However, our archivist will reply to messages and is happy to answer your questions via email and phone calls as time permits. Museum staff will assist in messages for the archivist.
Washrooms will be open by request. The staff will ensure that the washrooms are ready for use. There will be sanitizers at the washroom door before entering and upon leaving. Hand washing is critical and appropriate supplies will be provided. Washrooms will be cleaned twice per day, as well as scheduled deep cleanings.
There will be one person or one party allowed in the gift shop at a time. We ask that you follow the directions of staff and respect the spaces of other visitors to the Museum.
Face Masks & Gloves
Face masks are a matter of personal choice for visitors, staff, and volunteers. The Museum will provide gloves and disposable facemasks for those who choose to wear them. Visitors can request that staff wear a mask. Please treat all people wearing masks with respect.
Celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day
On June 21, you and all your friends are invited to a very special celebration! That date, the first day of summer, has been chosen as National Indigenous Peoples Day! In 1996, the Governor General of Canada, Roméo LeBlanc, proclaimed it National Aboriginal Day! It's...
The Gabriola Museum is looking for volunteers!
Opportunities exist for board members, gift shop, & maintenance/grounds. Get involved in your community and learn about island history! For more information: call 250-247-0029 or email manager@gabriolamuseum.org
Gabriola Museum Re-opens Monday June 16th!
We are looking forward to welcoming you back to the Gabriola Museum! The Museum is opening in a phased way. We want to be thoughtful and make sure visitors, volunteers and staff know and understand the protocols we will have in place. Hours of Operation Phase I: June...
Gabriola Museum Exhibit
Connections From the Ground Up
The Museum has undergone a major transformation of its constantly changing exhibits to create a permanent display, which represents a broad perspective of Gabriola Island and its people.
Connections From the Ground Up, our new permanent exhibit, explores the island’s cultural landscape through rocks, shores, ocean and forests. The exhibit shows the interdependence of this natural place with the humans who have called it home and loved it. Gabriola’s stories reveal diverse ways of knowing and living: Snuneymuwx stories, settler stories, scientific stories, and many more.
Three new themes have been introduced-On the Rocks, At the beach, and In the Woods.
On the Rocks
On the Rocks includes an extensive look at our island origin stories and its geology from a variety of perspectives. Artifacts of Snuneymuwx tools and fossils are displayed in drawers and give a real sense of our collection. Local geologists and those who study rocks and fossils on our island explain land formations that puzzle us, such as Malaspina Galleries. This is just a small taste of what is in store for you in our geology section.
At the Beach
At the Beach includes a revised Beach Quest exhibit, and touch tubs of intertidal shells remnants of live animals and seaweed. Magnifiers are available to look closely! Learn about undersea animals and plants and the impact of our tides.
In the Woods
In the Woods is still being developed but we have an exciting display on Cedar and basket weaving. Snuneymuwx weaver, Dave Bodaly has contributed one of his woven cedar hats to this exhibit, which also shows a number of baskets from our collection.
Gossip Corner
Gossip Corner is a new exhibit, which offers visitors an opportunity to leave mail and messages. Historical photos show the importance of Gossip Corner for early settlers. Next to that is our famous Hippy Display, which is loved by all.
Future exhibits
Future indoor exhibits will show the industries of Gabriola such as fishing, farming and forestry. These are yet to come. As well, a geology group has been creating a map of Gabriola with a power point that shows the land and its formations. We look forward to sharing this important piece of geological history with all.
The new exhibit includes something for every one of all ages, with activities and experiences that will engage you in a variety of ways.
A group of Gabriola Elementary grade 7 students have been worked with the museum for over a year and developed interpretive activities and games for all ages. Our thanks goes to Mia Cereno, Kira Fullerton, Tully Ivany, McGill Parcher, Nisha Strauss, John Swift, and Ava Teichroeb for their ideas and enthusiasm in helping to set the direction of the museum’s displays.
Join us in learning, sharing and connecting together to celebrate this place now called Gabriola Island!
The museum would like to acknowledge community funders whose support made this exhibit possible. Special thanks goes to the Gabriola Lions Club, Village Food Market, Arbutus-Home Hardware, and Sea to Sky Construction. As well, a number of private individuals have made anonymous donations, which are greatly appreciated.
