Play the Old Fashioned Way

Here at the Museum, we embrace the exciting possibilities of using new digital technologies to interpret and explore our history. Curatorial Assistant Matthew Lovegrove is in the process of developing a digital heritage walking tour, and I am currently working on having our digitized newspaper collection accessible online for this spring.  While these new technologies have their benefits, I also believe that the Museum is exciting because it is “old-fashioned” - the artifacts are real, not virtual. You can come in and wander the two floors without being inundated with technology. You can contemplate and reflect or have a conversation with a friend while browsing. There is something magical about seeing things with your own eyes and doing things with your own hands, especially in this digital age. This is proven time and again here at the Museum. I see people's eyes light up when they open the drawer of butterflies, or when they tap out their name in Morse code. Kids are happy to discover that they can touch and play with the rotary phone, a mysterious thing indeed, or ring the ship's bell.

Puppets by Juanita Woods, Calgary based puppetter

To kick-off BC Heritage Week, and in celebration of all things ‘simple’ and ‘hands-on’, we are extending our annual Play Day event over two days. On Friday, February 17^th, we are hosting a Puppet Making Workshop at the Arts Building with Sandy Buck. Sandy has created and performed her own puppet shows for children and adults with her company, Rababoo Puppet Theater. Open to all ages and skill levels, Sandy encourages imagination and storytelling, “This puppet making workshop is more than creating puppets, it’s letting our hands create the characters we dream about and bringing them to life”.

Puppet Making Workshop

Friday, February 17th from 1:00 to 3:30

The Arts Building, 464 S. Fletcher, Gibsons, BC

with Sandy Buck of Rababoo Puppet Theater

Using newspaper, masking tape, and acrylic paint,

this workshop is fast, fun, and open to all ages and skill levels.

The cost is $12/person; $10 family fee with sliding scale for families.

All supplies are included.

Mask by Juanita Woods, Calgary based puppeteer.

The following day, we will be opening our doors for an afternoon of good old fashioned fun and games. We invite all the puppets and their makers to join us at the mobile puppet stage for a ‘Puppet Jam’ – an improvisational puppet storytelling fun time. We’ll have other play stations throughout the Museum where you can try your hand at creating your own board game, making a Chinese hacky sack, designing a totem pole, folding origami cranes, and more. 

To pre-register for the workshop or for more information, please contact the Museum at 886-8232.

New Technologies and the Heritage Landscape

Back in Time SCMA Newspaper Article- December 29, 2011

The Beachcombers

The Beachcombers is firmly associated with Gibsons and the Sunshine Coast. Although the popular CBC TV series is long over, it remains imprinted in the memories of Canadians who grew fond of the quirky stories of the scenic seaside village, on the edge of Canada and away from big city life. Filmed in 'real time,' the comedy-drama ran from October 1, 1972 to December 12, 1990 and holds the record for the longest-running dramatic series ever made for English Canadian television. In all, 387 episodes were produced and it was viewed in over 60 countries around the world.

It can now be considered an important piece of Canadian film history, as well as valuable documentation of life in Gibsons.  It was a Canadian 'original' and one of the first major Canadian series that did not follow an American prototype. The show was also at the forefront of its time when it came to representing First Nations culture and actors. Squamish elder Chief Dan George often made guest appearances on the show. He is best known for his role opposite Dustin Hoffman in the film "Little Big Man." Dan George passed away in 1981.

Molly's Reach was home for the character of Molly Carmody and her grandchildren, Margaret and Hughie, for their boarder Nick Adonidas (and his log salvage office), and for Nick's partner Jesse Jim.

Nick, the Greek beachcomber, was the main character played by Bruno Gerussi. Gerussi was born in Medicine Hat and attended the Banff School of Fine Arts. He joined the Stratford Festival in 1954 to become a respected Shakespearean actor at Stratford and London. Bruno starred in other TV series, including "Celebrity Cooks". He passed away in 1995 at age 67. Robert Clothier played Relic, Nick's arch rival. He too was a veteran stage and TV actor. Clothier was born in Prince Rupert in 1921 and studied architecture before pursuing sculpting and theatre in England. He passed away in 1999.

Constable John Constable, played by Jackson Davies, was another memorable character in the series. Jackson Davies and Marc Strange, who co-created the series, are writing a book about Bruno Gerussi and The Beachcombers, as a part of next year’s 40th anniversary of The Beachcombers.

The CBC is streaming a Beachcomber episode from 1975 as part of CBC's 75th anniversary. Check it out at http://www.cbc.ca/75/2011/08/the-beachcombers-invisble-relic.html.

Be sure to stay posted for upcoming Beachcomber exhibits and events planned for the 40th Anniversary in 2012!

SCMA Visitor Survey Results

We are excited to announce the winner of the 2011 SCMA Visitor Survey is..... SHEILA KINNEAR!

The lucky winner will receive a $50 SCMA Giftshop prize pack consisting of copies of the Helen McCall Community Album,  Rough and Ready Times: The History of Port Mellon, 2 SCMA coffee mugs and a 2011 SCMA family membership!

Congratulations to Sheila and thank you to everyone who took the time to fill out our survey and help us in our continued evolution to be the best regional heritage destination on the West Coast!






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Kwekwinmut / Pieces of the Past opening

The SCMA’s latest exhibit  Kwekwinmut  / Pieces of the Past  opened on Tuesday, October 4^th to a crowd of excited spectators who witnessed a symbolic return of the Squamish people to their traditional land. Although many people are aware of the Shishalh (Sechelt) Nation's claim to much of the Sunshine Coast as their traditional home, many are unaware that for thousands of years, the Squamish Nation also thrived on this landscape from present day Gibsons all the way Robert's Creek.

Over a hundred visitors celebrated this symbolic return by witnessing a traditional welcome by Chief Ian Campbell, numerous speeches by Squamish elders, curators and local dignitaries. Afterwards, the audience was enthralled as they explored the stone tool artifacts that make up the heart of the exhibit, marveling at the craftpersonship and questions that inevitably arose:

How long would it take to make?

What was this used for?

Just how old are these stone tools? 

Well, I could give you the answers to these questions right now, but I think it is best for you to come down to the SCMA and explore the exhibit for yourself. There are real lessons to be learned about our surroundings, and Kwekwinmut  / Pieces of the Past is a great starting point in helping to redefine our perspective on this place that we call the Sunshine Coast.