Drop by the Hope Museum to explore our rich history going back thousands of years as the traditional territory of the First Nations people, to their first encounter with Simon Fraser, and the building of Fort Hope.
The Sto:lo First Nations people are the original inhabitants of the Hope region and all of the Fraser Valley They traditionally speak Halq'eméylem, the "Upriver dialect" of Halkomelem, one of the Salishan family of languages of the Coast Salish people. Sto:lo is the Halkomelem word for the Fraser River. The Sto:lo are thus the river people. It is from the river and surrounding land that their cultural traditions are derived for the river provided a transportation route, a food source and the location for settlements all along its banks.
The first European to see this region just over two hundred years ago, was the explorer, Simon Fraser, who passed through in search of a waterway that would open up a trading route to the coast.
Last year marked the 200th anniversary of the arrival of Simon Fraser.
In 1858, the discovery of gold at Hill's Bar prompted the Fraser River Gold Rush which brought thousands of hopeful prospectors into the region. When this excitement abated the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway, the Canadian National Railway and the Kettle Valley Railway spurred building booms that brought pioneers from all over the globe to work in the fledgling forestry and mining industries.
Open from May Victoria Day weekend through to the September Labour Day weekend, the Hope Museum, is a step back through time into all of these various periods of our past. There are displays of native artifacts and early logging equipment as well as historical settings that include a parlour, kitchen and schoolroom. Admission is by donation.
The Hope Museum is located at 919 Water Avenue (along Hwy #1) in the same complex as the Hope Visitor Centre. Call 604-869-7322 for more details.