Lights, Camera, Digitization!
Museum Research Rossland Museum Museum Research Rossland Museum

Lights, Camera, Digitization!

Our own superstar Collections Manager Sara Wright was asked to give a presentation for the Archives Association of BC! Watch the video for the full presentation, including the Rossland Museum & Discovery Centre’s approach to digitization and the four major digitization projects we’ve undertaken in the past two and a half years, including successes, failures, and lessons learned.

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A Legend Carved in the Slopes: The History of the Grey Mountain Grind
Museum Research, Essays Rossland Museum Museum Research, Essays Rossland Museum

A Legend Carved in the Slopes: The History of the Grey Mountain Grind

The Grey Mountain Grind, commonly called “The Grind,” was a ski race introduced during the latter years of WWII and held annually from 1943-46, helping to reinvigorate the passion for ski racing in Rossland. Although only a short-lived tradition, the legend of the gruelling 6-mile course was carved into the slopes we ski today.

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History of the S.S. Rossland
Essays, Museum Research Rossland Museum Essays, Museum Research Rossland Museum

History of the S.S. Rossland

The S.S. Rossland was a steam-powered sternwheeler that operated on the Arrow Lakes and Columbia River from 1897 to 1916.  The standout in a fleet of Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) steamships, Rossland was widely-known for her beauty, elegance, and, most importantly, speed. 

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The Rossland Club
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The Rossland Club

The Rossland Club was an exclusive gentlemen’s club that existed in Rossland from 1896 to 1969. Boasting a membership of leading professionals and a reputation known within British Columbia and beyond, the club’s activities consisted mainly of socialising, gambling, and drinking.

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Thor Heyerdahl
Essays, Museum Research Rossland Museum Essays, Museum Research Rossland Museum

Thor Heyerdahl

Thor Heyerdahl, famous for the Kon-Tiki expedition in 1947, was once a resident of Rossland and an employee of the Consolidated Mining and Smelting Company in Trail. For a brief period in 1941, Heyerdahl, his wife, and two children lived in Rossland. In the city, Heyerdahl gave at least two known speeches to the Junior Board of Trade and the Golden City Club.

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The "Spanish Flu" in Rossland
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The "Spanish Flu" in Rossland

With Germany’s surrender to the Allied Powers, World War I finally ended on November 11, 1918, but the flu was just getting going in Rossland. From late October 1918 until February of 1919, nearly everyone got the flu. Almost 50 people died in five weeks - five weeks of absolute hell. Those that could continued to help, just as Rosslanders always do. From October 25 until the end of November, 47 people died. The last three people died in January and February. The majority of victims who were in their prime, between 20-35 years of age. Everyone who had it either recovered completely, experienced cognitive, respiratory effects or died, but ultimately herd immunity was achieved probably in February 1919 when the virus appears to have dissipated.

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The Rebekahs
Essays, Museum Research Rossland Museum Essays, Museum Research Rossland Museum

The Rebekahs

The Deborah Rebekah Lodge #13, a fraternal order and service organization associated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF), was instituted in Rossland on April 12, 1899. Over their 121 years of service in Rossland, the Lodge has made numerous contributions to the community, supporting local, provincial, national, and international causes such as health care, the war effort, the 1908 Fernie fire survivors, the 1948 Trail flood cleanup, and a local scholarship program. In the late 1970s, members of the Lodge started what would become the legendary Rebekah Rhythms, or the "Granny Band," which brought smiles and laughter to countless Rosslanders for over 30 years.

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