Rossland Museum & Discovery Centre FAQs

VISITING THE MUSEUM

  • The Rossland Museum & Discovery Centre is located at 1100 Hwy 3B, at the Junction of Hwys 3B & 22. Head west down Columbia Avenue (Hwy 22) until you reach a T-junction - that’s us! There’s free parking, including RV parking, so pull up and come on in!

    We’re located about 1.4 km (0.8 miles) from downtown Rossland, so yes - you can probably walk or bike! Unfortunately, Columbia Ave doesn’t have a sidewalk for the last 800 m, but you can either walk on the verge or take one of several wooded multi-use trails to get here.

    If you’re coming from Trail, the BC Transit Bus Route 46 will take you most of the way here, but you’ll still have to hoof it for the last 800 m or so. In the winter, the free Ski Bus makes a stop in our parking lot - be sure to check it out!

  • We’re open year-round! 10 am - 5 pm, Tuesdays to Sundays through the winter, and seven days a week through the summer (mid-May to August).

  • • Adults: $12

    • Seniors: $9

    • Students (18+): $9

    • Youth (6-17): $6

    • Under 6: Free

    Keep an eye on our upcoming events for our “entry by donation” days throughout the year - including Canada Day, Golden City Days, Winter Carnival, and more!

    Are you a member of a partner Association of Science & Technology Centers or Canadian Association of Science Centres institution? That membership includes reciprocal admission to our facility! Just show your ASTC or CASC member card to the front desk.

  • Nope! You can purchase tickets at the door.

    If you want to buy tickets in advance, click here.

  • That depends on your style! Some people cruise through in 30 minutes, while others reading all the signage can spend 3-4 hours (or longer!) absorbing the exhibits. In general, you’re probably safe if you allow yourself a couple of hours to enjoy everything.

  • Through the summer, we offer daily tours of our outdoor exhibits - included with admission!

    Summer 2024: Tours at 11 am, 1 pm, and 3 pm daily

    Tours can also be booked in advance outside of regular times - just email info@rosslandmuseum.ca or call 250-362-7722 to get in touch! We offer discounts on pre-booked group tours for 15+ people.

    You can also access the following self-guided audio tours on your smartphone.

    • Interior Museum Tour

    • Upper Level Museum Tour

    • Downtown Heritage Walking Tour

    Hoping to book a school tour? Check out our website or contact Skylar at community@rosslandmuseum.ca for more information.

  • Ask at the front for scavenger hunts around the Museum!

    Visitors of all ages are welcome to enjoy our kids’ Discovery Zone: a cosy corner where you can relax with train tracks, marble runs, building blocks, and more.

  • Well-behaved pets are welcome inside the Museum. Please keep your pets on a leash and under control.

  • We provide coffee/tea by donation as part of our Visitor Centre services, and you can buy bottled water, juice boxes, and soft drinks as well as concession snacks (chocolate, candy, etc) from the Museum Shop. If you’re looking for lunch, we have lots of Rossland recommendations!

    You’re also welcome to bring your own food. The picnic tables on our lawn are for everyone!

  • Unfortunately, our site is not fully wheelchair accessible. (We’re working on it!) The ramp from the parking lot to the entrance can be difficult to navigate with a wheelchair, but you are welcome to drive a car up the ramp to unload at the top.

    Accessible washrooms, including a gender-neutral, Easy-Peezy-designated washroom, are available free of charge for all visitors.

    Sensory concerns: Light, noise, and crowds will vary throughout the Museum, particularly during events. At peak times, the museum may be noisy. The Rossland Museum & Discovery Centre has two sensory bins available to help enhance the museum experience for young visitors with diverse needs. These bins, sponsored by the Family Action Network and Kootenay Family Place, include a social story about visiting the museum, noise-cancelling headphones, fidget spinners, and other items that will help visitors explore all that the museum has to offer. Please ask our front desk staff for more information!

    Museum staff are available to answer any questions or concerns you may have. Feel free to reach out to info@ rosslandmuseum.ca or 250-362-7722.

ABOUT THE MUSEUM

  • The Rossland Museum ran tours of the Black Bear adit to the Le Roi Mine from 1967-2009. Access to the mine was permanently closed by the property owners in 2012 for longstanding safety and liability reasons; the mine tunnel would have needed a massive cash injection to retimber the tunnel and address some major structural issues. Ultimately, there was only one way in and one way out - and that was a liability that nobody wanted to keep on in 2012!

    Since 2013, we have been working on a “Renewal” plan for the Museum. Phase I of Renewal, the construction of a new entrance gallery and renovations to the archives, administration, public washrooms, and lobby, was completed in 2017. Now, we're onto Phase II: the Mine Experience, where we hope to create an informative and experiential replica mine tunnel exhibit, along with the development of other permanent exhibits and the addition of a new atrium. In the meantime, we've been working to make up for this lost educational opportunity through new interpretive displays, walking tours, gold panning, and other special programming.

  • Our website is full of content! Check out our Research & Essays blog, explore artifacts through our Community Portal, check out our YouTube channel, or read more about topics covered by the following:

    • Indoor Exhibits (the Rossland mines, Old Glory weather station, Winter Carnival, and more!)

    • Outdoor Exhibits (the rope drive compressor, Rossland’s railway history, the aerial tramway, and more!)

    • Downtown Walking Tour (the Miners’ Union Hall, the Father Pat Memorial, the Rossland Court House, and more!

    • Digital exhibit Gold Mining to Gold Medals: A Century of Ski Racing in Rossland

  • Absolutely! Learn about the process here here or get in touch at archives@rosslandmuseum.ca.

  • The Rossland Historical Museum & Archives Association, DBA Rossland Museum & Discovery Centre, is a non-profit society and registered charity. We are governed by a volunteer board of trustees and operated by professional museum staff. Funding comes from a variety of sources, including the City of Rossland, the Province of BC, the BC Arts Council, and the Government of Canada. Learn more about our operations here. Read our latest annual report here.

  • We are happy to take donations at the front desk by cash, card, or cheque! You can also donate online through Canada Helps. We are a non-profit and registered charity, and can issue charitable donation receipts for gifts over $25.

  • We collect new artifacts and documents year-round. All donations must be approved by the Collections Manager and accompanied by the appropriate paperwork - to keep us legal and to ensure that we have a record of your object’s fascinating history! Please do not leave donations at the door. Get in touch with Collections Manager Sara Wright at artifacts@ rosslandmuseum.ca.

  • We’re always looking for volunteers! Learn more here or get in touch at info@ rosslandmuseum.ca!

    Looking for work? Find current opportunities here.

  • Sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Facebook or Instagram.

  • Contact us at info@rosslandmuseum.ca or 250-362-7722. Our Museum staff are always happy to help!