Revelstoke has more than just world-class skiing and outdoor adventure on offer. The whole of Canada has a rich and complex history. Revelstoke is no exception. A stop at the Revelstoke Museum & Archives gives you an authentic glimpse into how the community has grown, changed, and adapted to life in the mountains.
Why Visit the Revelstoke Museum?
The museum highlights Indigenous culture, railway history, and the stories of families who built the town. It’s a chance to connect with Revelstoke beyond the ski slopes and see the human side of this rugged mountain landscape.
While visiting Canada you’ll often hear acknowledgements of land belonging to First Nations communities. Maybe you have heard it before a hockey game, or a music performance. It’s hard to appreciate what this really means. It’s worth spending a little time taking in the stories of the people who have come before us. You’ll leave with a better perspective on the mountains and rivers we all love.
A Fun Fact About Revelstoke
The town was originally called Farwell, after the early surveyor A.S. Farwell. In 1886, it was renamed Revelstoke to honour Lord Revelstoke, a British financier who helped rescue the Canadian Pacific Railway during financial troubles.
Do you think Farwell would’ve been as catchy a name for the town?
How Dams Changed the Valley
The building of dams on the Columbia River reshaped Revelstoke’s landscape. Entire communities were submerged, and many families were displaced. The museum’s Stories Beneath the Surface exhibit shares personal accounts from residents whose homes and farmland were lost to the rising waters.
There are multiple dams nearby that provide power to an impressive number of homes in British Columbia. Mica Dam is up Highway 23 North and was, at one point, the largest underground generating station in the world. When the dam was created it formed the Kinbasket Reservoir where small communities once lived. This can be a great spot for fishing, but be cautious of changing water levels and conditions.
The Columbia River is one of the largest rivers in North America. It travels south, through seven American states before turning west and draining into the Pacific Ocean. Along the way it provides drinking water to communities and irrigates 600,000 acres of farmland.
Avalanche Country
Revelstoke’s location in the Selkirk and Monashee ranges makes it one of the world’s most avalanche-prone regions. The Land of Thundering Snow exhibit details Canada’s pioneering avalanche research, with much of that research done right here in Revelstoke. This award winning exhibit can teach you more about the anatomy of an avalanche and the latest science.
If you’re spending time in the mountains it’s worth learning more about the incredible power they hold.
Come get a fresh perspective
The museum tells a story of resilience, change, and community. After your visit, you’ll see Revelstoke in a new light. The town is so much more than just a ski destination. People have been living here and telling stories for longer than you might imagine.
Support local. Support indigenous businesses. Start by expanding your knowledge at the Revelstoke Museum & Archives.
