Mirrors of Development - Rossland and Kimberley

Mirrors of Development, a travelling 2D exhibition, was created by the Columbia Basin Institute of Regional History (CBIRH) is currently on display! The exhibition strives to show a parallel progression between Rossland and Kimberley. Despite being separated by over 260 km, Rossland and Kimberley have surprisingly similar histories. Both towns started as mining camps, have produced world-class athletes, and have successfully transitioned into resort towns as their mining industry era came to a close. The images in the exhibition follow this shared pathway, mirroring each other through their development.

After receiving funding in 2017, the CBIRH began examining the history of Rossland and Kimberley - two Kootenay alpine towns that started out as mining camps. Working with both the Rossland Museum & Discovery Centre and the Kimberley Heritage Society, CBIRH has gathered and digitized over 3,000 historical photographs. The project aims to spark interest in community history and build a sense of shared identity and culture—a Basin culture that is alive and well.

Each photograph in the exhibition tells its own story, but as visitors step back and view the exhibition as a whole, Kimberley and Rossland’s parallel story emerges. The thirty-four photographs cover a wide range of topics and subjects from the last 125 years. From the mines to Nancy Greene and Gerry Sorensen, Louie Joe and Harry Moorehouse, Mirrors of Development showcases the people and events that made Rossland and Kimberley what they are today.

Mirrors of Development is on display at the Rossland Museum & Discovery Centre until 31 August 2019.

For more information on the CBIRH, please visit their website.