Okanagan Heritage Museum — Attraction in Kelowna

Having visited many large and well curated museums around the world, I found this to be a mighty little gem in Kelowna. Interesting artifacts. There's even a stuffed grizzly bear! On a more sombre note, the acknowledgement of both indigenous reconciliation and the history of racial displacement in Kelowna and the Okanagan (an important part of its history) was front and centre and something I wholly appreciated. I happened to make it in time for the travelling exhibit on the Japanese dispossession during and after World War II. It was a sobering, but much needed storytelling of the Japanese-Canadian experience (especially from the coast/lower mainland) throughout and past internment because of the war. A great little museum and worth a visit. I spent 2.5 hours on both the main and special exhibits (but I read every single placard in the museum). You probably only need 45 minutes to an hour if you just look at the artifacts and skim...

We’re so lucky to have the Kelowna Museums Society in our community! KMS operates three distinct locations in downtown Kelowna — the Okanagan Heritage Museum, the Okanagan Military Museum and the Laurel Packinghouse — at each location, you will find dedicated, friendly and knowledgeable staff, engaging exhibits covering everything from Okanagan geology, the syilx people and their rich culture, European contact, modern Kelowna history and more. They also offer a massively diverse range of programs and events throughout the year — the cemetery tours with Bob Hayes are absolutely fascinating. They really do have something for everyone and the Okanagan Heritage Museum is even open late on Thursdays. KMS should be on the to-do list of every...

Quite enjoyed this small local museum. They've clearly put a great deal of effort into it, combining well-displayed artifacts, multimedia presentations, a real winter house and detailed explanations in a well-ordered flow. It's quite well done! The wildlife, fossil and geological elements were fascinating. The winter house was superb, and clever use of mirrors gave a sense of the size of such a house.

One recommendation for the museum: the 1906 horseless carriage is delightful, but if you placed some lights with an angled mirror underneath it, you would also display the marvelous engine and transmission elements of the car.

If you're anywhere near Kelowna, it's well worth an hour or two of your time to visit this...