Draft:RMDC

• Comment: In accordance with the Wikimedia Foundation's Terms of Use, I disclose that I have been paid by my employer for my contributions to this article. Amdemetrick (talk) 18:41, 27 May 2025 (UTC)

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The Rossland Museum and Discovery Centre (RMDC) was established in 1954, and is a community-focused historical museum and archival centre located in Rossland, BC. This location is centred on the unceded Sinixt tmxʷúlaʔxʷ (homeland), on the former site of the historic Black Bear Mine.

The Rossland Museum & Discovery Centre contains a number of permanent exhibits on Rossland’s social, cultural, sporting, and mining history.  The museum’s largest exhibits feature the history of the Consolidated Mining & Smelting Company (Cominco, Teck Resources Ltd.), West Kootenay Power & Light, and the Red Mountain Ski Area.  An underground mine tour of the Black Bear Mine ran from 1967 to 2009; however, it is now permanently closed. The RMDC is currently in Phase 2 of the Rossland Museum Renewal Project, which notably involves the construction of a replica indoor mine exhibit of the near-site Le Roi Mine; the estimated completion of Phase 2 is in 2026. In addition to the museum’s main building, it has an extensive outdoor exhibit area, open from May to October.

History

In 1954, the original Rossland Historical Museum was established in the basement of the Rossland Court House. The initiative was led by Gordon German, manager of the Bank of Montreal, and the Rossland Rotary Club. The Rossland Historical Museum & Archives Association was incorporated under the BC Societies Act in March of 1955 to manage the day-to-day operations of the museum. In 1967, the museum was relocated to the former site of the Black Bear Mine––a Canadian Centennial project led by Jack McDonald, Roger Terhune, and other local history enthusiasts.

In 2014, the museum was officially renamed the Rossland Museum and Discovery Centre. The museum is currently receiving funding from the Government of Canada and the City of Rossland in order to continue with their Renewal Project.

Exhibits

Indoor Exhibits

The Rossland Museum and Discovery Centre displays most of their notable exhibitions inside the main building and visitor centre. The majority of the building houses the J.D. McDonald History Hall, which includes Father Pat's Memorial Ambulance, the Rossland Vices, and details on the relevant Sinixt and Chinese histories of the area. The museum also has dedicated areas for important aspects of early Rossland living; some of these include: the Hunter Brothers' General Store, West Kootenay Power & Light Co., the Collector's Corner (Erna Coombes "Jug Collection, Jim Heidt's "Bottle Collection", and the Robert Terhune "Geology Collection), Cominco/Teck Wing & Theatre, and the prominent sports history section.

Outdoor Exhibits

The Upper Level of the Rossland Museum site contains a handful of artifacts mainly from the 5 most prolific mines located on and around Red Mountain (Black Bear, Center Star, Josie, Le Roi, and War Eagle). Features of this exhibit include a Rope Drive Air Compressor, a segment of a CPR train (caboose), an old growth cedar log, an Aerial Tramway, a West Kootenay Power and Light (WKPL) company vehicle, the Le Roi tool collection, a Fire Hall with two historic fire trucks, and additional supplies, artifacts, and information that is all housed within the Upper Level buildings.

Outreach Exhibits

The RMDC collaborates with a number of local organizations and businesses to showcase historic displays around the city of Rossland. Their current partners include Prestige Mountain Resort, Rossland Public Library, Red Mountain Resort, VISAC Gallery, Rossland Council for Arts and Culture (RCAC), Rossland Beer Co., Rossland Curling Club, and Curiosity Clothing and Gifts. These outreach exhibits cycle regularly; the sole permanent display series is located at Red Mountain Resort.

Additionally, the Rossland Museum occasionally hosts special travelling exhibitions from other museums and organizations across Canada.

Affiliations

This museum is affiliated with the Canadian Museums Association, BC Museums Association, Association of Science and Technology Centers, Digital Museums Canada, and the Canadian Association of Science Centres (CASC).

Publications

The Rossland Museum