Collectors’ Corner

With several prominent and unique collections (objects of a similar theme collected by a single individual) in our permanent collection, we’ve developed a room to display them. Welcome to the Collectors’ Corner.

The Collector

Roger Terhune was born on 30 June 1912 in Kempt Shore, Nova Scotia. The Terhune family moved to Rossland when Roger was two, and he spent the majority of his life here. Roger worked at the CM&S smelter in Trail for 30 years. In 1967, he brought his mining expertise to the brand-new Rossland Museum. In 1985, the RMDC dedicated the geology display to Roger. In 1992, Roger, along with friend Jack McDonald, was named BC’s Mining Person of the Year. Roger passed away in 2004.

The Collection

While the geology collection is not made up of only Terhune’s samples, a large portion of them came from his collection or he was responsible for them coming to the RMDC. To honour the spirit of the Roger Terhune Geology Building (now closed), the collection is still named after him. Other people or groups that contributed to the renowned geology collection include Ernie Pierpoint, Jack McDonald, Kootenay Zone Rock and Gems Club, and the Selkirk Rock and Mineral Club.

The Collector

Erna Schneider was born in Rossland on September 7, 1901 and spent the majority of her life in her hometown. Trained professionally as a teacher, Erna taught at the MacLean School from 1922 - 1928. She married Archibald Coombes in 1928 and had son, Allan, in 1934. Erna was part of countless Rossland groups, taught Sunday School for decades, and was a founding member of the Rossland Museum. Erna passed away on February 17, 1995.

The Collector

Jim Heidt has been a lifelong collector, and his vast collection covers many topics, but local history holds a special place. He became a bottle expert over the decades and helped author a book on bottle collecting. Jim worked for the school board and was among one of the many dedicated volunteers in the RMDC’s early history. From building displays, giving underground tours, maintenance, giving presentations, and donating his beautiful collection of bottles, Jim has left a lasting legacy at the RMDC.

The Collection

The bottles that you see on display in the museum are but a few of the extensive Jim Heidt collection, which contains roughly 3000 bottles! The bottles span from 1890 - to roughly 1910 and were collected by Jim over a 10-year period. Found in the old Rossland dumps, these bottles offer a unique view into the social life of early Rossland. From liquor bottles to ink bottles, to perfume bottles, to medicine bottles, this collection covers it all! Jim even created his own special brush to apply ink to the bottles, making their branding really pop.

The Collector

Selwyn G. Blaylock (1879-1945) was the President and Managing Director of the Consolidated Mining & Smelting Company (CM&S, Cominco, now Teck) from 1939 to 1945. Joining the company in 1906, Blaylock was praised for his abilities as a leader and for his contributions to the mining and metallurgy industry as a whole. In 1990, Blaylock was inducted into the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame.

The Collection

Blaylock had a lifelong passion for geology. The minerals on display at the museum are from his personal geology collection, which was prominently displayed in his office at CM&S. Representing the expansiveness of CM&S, this collection contains rare and valuable minerals from the company’s operations across British Columbia.

Contribute your own memories/experiences with these collectors or their collections:

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