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.
Outdoor Exhibits
Petroglyph Park
The grounds of the Gabriola Museum are encircled by Petroglyph Park. In 1996, permission to create replicas of the rapidly-eroding petroglyphs was provided by the elders of the Snuneymuxw, descendants of the First Nations, to the Gabriola Historical and Museum...
Outdoor Exhibits
Our Outdoor Exhibits include large artifacts from Gabriola’s industrial past such as a logging arch, millstones, and Lighthouse fog horns. Selected artifacts from the archived Brickyard exhibit, and a photographic line-up of former Gabriola Ferries are also...
Native Plant Garden
Our Native Plant Garden is currently undergoing extensive revitalization. In partnership with VIU students we are developing plans for new landscaping, and re-furbishing our existing plants. The 3-year plan includes new wheelchair accessible walkways, signs,...
Past Exhibits
Gabriola Inspired! Isle of Many Arts
Exploring more than 150 years of art and creativity on Gabriola Island.
The Japanese of Silva Bay, Gabriola Island, BC
...continued from Home Page Gabriola locations among Heritage BC’s newly designated Japanese-Canadian historic sites. On April 01, 2017, BC Minister for Multiculturalism Teresa Wat announced a list of 56 historic sites with significance to Canadians of Japanese...
Gabriola Roots: The Land Provides – Indoor
The Land Provides Exhibit and Film The Museum is pleased to announce the theme of the 2015 exhibit and film Gabriola Roots: the Land Provides. The exhibit of 6 poster panels, artifacts, and a 20 minute film tells the multi-faceted story of how Gabriola has met the...
Gabriola Hippies
Gabriola Hippies in the 1970s Telling the story of Gabriola includes capturing accounts of the Coast Salish people, European explorers, and post-contact pioneers - as well as recent inhabitants. Children of the post-war generation, disillusioned with the rigid,...
Stories of Silva Bay
Stories of Silva Bay Exhibit and Film The Stories of Silva Bay are brought to life by a wonderful film crafted by Tobi Elliot (see article below). The stories are given a tactile dimension with artifacts, and four poster panels. The poster panels represent...
BeachQuest
Discovering Gabriola's Marine Life Gabriola Museum's mission in creating BeachQuest is to connect our enjoyment of our beaches with a sense of stewardship and responsibility for them. The more we learn about marine life, the more we respect how genuine it is, worthy...
Brickyard
The Story of the Gabriola Brickyard Little remains today of the Gabriola Brickyard except for piles of broken bricks on Brickyard Beach and the name of the steep hill on South Road. But from the end of the 19th century to 1952, the Brickyard was Gabriola’s single most...
WWI Centennial
The Centennial of the Great War on Gabriola Island Gabriola's Soldiers in World War I (excerpted from original publicity) A knapsack, kit bag and cap, pins and badges. A canteen and field glasses. Two silk postcards and a Christmas box. These poignant reminders of the...