Telkwa Museum

Arts-Community Services & Organizations-Education

Take a step back in time to Telkwa’s early years when you visit the Telkwa Museum. Housed in a 1920’s era schoolhouse, visitors will find a plethora of displays and exhibits that detail Telkwa’s early years, both before and after it officially became a town. Guests will learn about early First Nations people who first populated the region as well as interesting and eclectic facts, such as the story behind the creation of the first egg carton and its connection to Telkwa.

The Telkwa Museum is society owned-and-operated and is staffed almost entirely by volunteers who have a passion for history and who love the community. The Telkwa Museum is open from May to September and by appointment throughout the rest of the year. The museum is wheelchair accessible and child-friendly. The Telkwa Museum also offers historical and educational presentations and events both on and off-site, including at area schools.

Meet the Telkwa Museum Volunteers

Meet the Telkwa Museum Volunteers

When Telkwa got a new school building, the future of the original two-room, 1920's-era schoolhouse was uncertain. After months of meetings, negotiations and grant applications, the schoolhouse was moved from its old location to its current property and became the Telkwa Museum under the operation of a grassroots, volunteer-driven society. The society immediately began the massive task of researching local history and curating artifacts and items to populate the museum. Today the Telkwa Museum still looks like an old school house, but the inside has been renovated to create an open-concept, bright, inviting area packed with items that tell Telkwa's unique story.

The museum is manned largely by volunteers and augmented with a grant for a full-time student employee during the summer months. Board member and museum volunteer Doug Boersema is proud of all the hard work that the board has done over the years to bring the museum to fruition. They work quietly without any expectations simply because they love the community and Telkwa's colourful history. "The displays are amazing," he says, "and the museum is bright and open and welcoming." Visitors to the Bulkley Valley are invited to stop in and chat with the locals and learn a bit about the origins of the town.

1620 Hwy 16
Telkwa, BC V0J 2X0

Hours

Open during the summer months from 10:00am to 4:00pm Monday to Saturday