Gabriola Museum COVID-19 Update and Resources
Dear Gabriola Museum members, supporters and members of the community,
We realize you have already been provided with a great deal of information about the COVID-19 virus including evolving health, social and financial issues. Of course, these concerns are on everyone’s mind as we cope as individuals, family, neighbours and community members with this outbreak.
The Gabriola Museum does not wish to overload you further, but we did want to let you know that like other community organizations on Gabriola, we are taking this situation seriously. Although the Museum is still closed to the public for the winter season, the Gabriola Museum Board and Staff are using this time to review and update the Museum’s health safety and cleaning/disinfecting protocols for our museum events/presentations/activities and the museum building in order to ensure the continued health safety of all museum visitors, staff and volunteers. We are also exploring how we can offer museum activities and presentations in alternate formats given the need for social distancing and self-isolation.
With respect to current museum activities, the outbreak has meant the cancellation of our March 26 presentation “The Voyage” at the Roxy by Li and Garry Small. Thank you, Li and Garry, for your support to the Museum!
Despite circumstances changing almost daily, we are cautiously optimistic that our annual opening will take place on May long weekend in some format and that we will be open during the museum season for you to join us in celebrating our 25th Anniversary in 2020. We will keep you informed of museum happenings as we continue to plan and adapt to what the future will bring.
As always, the Gabriola Museum appreciates your continued support and understanding as things continue to evolve. Please feel free to contact us at info@gabriolamuseum.org if you have any concerns or questions. We are looking forward to welcoming you again.
Most importantly, please do stay connected with family, neighbours and the community during these challenging times while respecting BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC), Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), and Health Link BC guidelines. Stay well and help others stay well!
COVID-19 Hotline
1 888 COVID19
-
- Dedicated phone service for info regarding COVID-1
- nonmedical service available seven days a week from 7:30 am to 8pm.
- information is available in more than 110 languages
- latest information on travel recommendations & social distancing as well as access to support & resources from provincial & federal gov’ts
COVID-19 Links
Updates from the BC Provincial Health Officer
Center for Disease Control (BCCDC)
information line: 1-833-784-4397
Public Health Agency of Canadian
information line: 1-833-784-4397
Health Link BC website and 8-1-1 info
COIVID-19 Self-Assessment Tool
Summer Hours
May 19 – Sept 1
Tues-Sun | 10-3
Closed Mondays
Fall Hours
Sept 3 – Oct 6
Thurs – Sat | 11-4
Sunday | Noon – 4
Closed Mon – Wed
Remembrance Day
11-2 | Open
December weekends
11-4 | Gift Shop open
Winter
Closed Jan – May
Outdoor Exhibits and Native Plant Garden are OPEN all year.
News
Gabriola Museum is looking for new board members
A great board to work with, and a wonderful opportunity for newcomers to the island to get involved and learn about the island’s history! A variety of positions are open, including Secretary and Treasurer. Call Joan Merrifield at 250-618-1954 or email...
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!
To all the businesses, artists, authors & individuals who generously donated to the Live and Silent Auction at the Gabriola Museum’s Trivia Night on 2 Nov 2019.
Seasonal Greetings
from the Gabriola Museum to our volunteers, donors and members—and our community We thank you for your generous donations and ongoing support to our exhibits, museum programs, the Museum Gift Shop, and Trivia Night! Many blessings in 2020
Gabriola Museum Exibit
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.
