We're getting ready to embark on the digitization project of the Chilliwack Progress historic newspapers. The Irving K. Barber Learning Centre has granted us $15,000 towards the project. This combined with the City of Chilliwack, the Chilliwack Foundation, Black Press and the Chilliwack Progress contributions, mean you will be able to search back issues of the newspaper- dating to 1891 online! Stay tuned... we will provide updates on the project as we go.

Stay tuned... we will provide updates on the project as we go. Read about the recipients of the Community Digitization Grant on the website.

New exhibit opens in the Museum Chambers Gallery Saturday, April 20th. The show "Generations in Colour" presents acrylic paintings and quilts side by side by mother-daugther team Shannon and Barbara Bettles. Museum runs until May 30, 2013.

Please note that the Museum will be closing at 3:00pm on Thursday, April 18th. Apologies for any inconveniences.

Three Heritage Awards were presented at Saturday's Annual General Meeting:

Dave Parsons, superintendent of civic facilities from the City of Chilliwack received one for his career for caring for two registered Heritage buildings in Chilliwack - the Old City Hall (Museum) and the Princess Street Armories building.

Rod Hudson, director of the Chilliwack Arts Council, was honoured for being the driving force behind many of Chilliwack's cultural events and activities for the past 20+ years.

Robin Anderson and Scott Sheffield from the University of the Fraser Valley history department for the development of their course: "440: Local History for the Web" which saw students undertaking research at local archives and publishing historical information on the web.

The Annual General Meeting of the Chilliwack Museum and Historical Society takes place this Saturday, March 23rd from 1:00pm - 3:00pm at the Chilliwack Museum. We hope that all current members can attend and we welcome any new or future members.

Our new exhibit on early healthcare in Chilliwack opens this Friday from 1:00pm - 3:00pm at the Chilliwack Museum.

We're starting off 2013 with some exciting projects - View our latest newsletter here to learn about the Coote medals we recently acquired, our newest exhibit: "May Health, Peace and Contentment be Yours" opening March 15, the Chilliwack Progress newspaper digitization project, our AGM being held in March and the 2014 call for entries for the Museum's Chambers Gallery.

UFV's Elder College is coming to the Chilliwack Archives. Friday, March 15th from 9:30 - 2:00pm Elder College has arranged a workshop and tour at the Archives at Evergreen Hall, 9291 Corbould Street. To sign up for "Class without a Bus: Chilliwack Archives and Museum" please contact Elder College at UFV: 604-702-2611 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Also visit the website to learn more: www.ufv.ca/eldercollege.

The workshop, delivered by Archives staff, shows you how a professional archives cares for its collections. Gain some tips on how to care for the photos and papers in your own attic. We'll also show you our facilities and answer questions you may have about how to access the archives and start your own research projects. You will then enjoy lunch at the Preserved Seed before joining us at the Museum for the opening of our newest exhibit: May Health, Peace and Contentment be Yours.

The Chilliwack Museum curates art exhibitions for the Chambers Art Gallery located on the Museum's second floor. We are calling artists of all mediums to submit the application form with 5”x7” photos or a DVD (Powerpoint or Word) of recent art works for the 2014 exhibition year. Solo artist, partnered or group exhibitions welcome. If you have any questions, please contact Brenda Paterson at 604-795-5210. The deadline to apply is May 30, 2013.

View pictures and learn more about the Chambers Gallery here.

We're looking forward to some exciting projects in 2013. Our current exhibit: "The Fraser River: It's Spirit and Place" will be replaced by our new one: "May Health, Peace and Contentment be Yours" on March 2. We are also working on a history book for Sardis, and our new gift shop is nearly ready to be opened. Don't forget to renew your memberships for 2013!