Museum & Archives

Arts, Culture & Heritage

Books

The Museum has books on various topics related to local history by local authors for sale. Prices may vary, please call 250-828-3576 to confirm price and that we have a copy of what you're looking for.

My Morning Walk - by Ernie Kroeger

Join Ernie on a whimsical walk through Kamloops that seamlessly blends past and present through archival photos and his present walk.

Ernie Kroeger is an Assistant Professor of Visual & Performing Arts at Thompson Rivers University.

Published by an association of Kamloops Museum & Archives and Community-University Research Alliance (CURA) of Thompson Rivers University.

Books at the Museum
Kamloops: A History of the District up to 1914
3rd Edition - by Mary Balf

Mary Balf was the first Curator and Archivist for the Kamloops Museum & Archives and conducted years of detailed research in the archives to bring about this publication that covers almost every topic imaginable in Kamloops' history; Secwepemec, fur traders, cattle ranching, trains, churches, policing, sports, fraternal organizations, and the surrounding areas. There are many archival images of Kamloops and its residents throughout this publication.

Books at the Museum
Kamloops; 1914-1945 - by Ruth Balf

Researched and written by Mary Balf's daughter, the History of Kamloops picks up where it left off in Kamloops: The History of the District up to 1914.

This publication covers Kamloops' rise as the Hub City of the province and chronicles its growth in fire fighting, its experience during the Great Depression, schools, media, sports and local men who fought in the two World Wars.

Books at the Museum
Haunted Kamloops - by Sierra Brown

This booklet by Kamloops Museum & Archives' Educator, Sierra Brown, is meant to accompany the Haunted Tour of Kamloops that the Museum offers at Halloween.

The booklet describes the history of Kamloops's ghost stories based on archival research at the Museum with citations from the records of the origins and suggestions of who each ghost may be at each haunted place. The booklet includes a map of the locations ideal for your own self-guided haunted tour of Kamloops.

Books at the Museum
The Peasant's Gold: The Story of Peter Wing
- by Terrence Roth

Peter Wing was the first mayor of Chinese descent in North America and served as mayor of Kamloops. Peter Wing was born and raised in Kamloops, he served as Kamloops' mayor for three terms beginning in 1966. In 1976 Peter Wing became a member of the Order of Canada and was awarded the Order of British Columbia in 1990. The publication features the life story of Peter Wing with family and city photos throughout.

Books at the Museum
Chase: The Man and the Village - by Mary Balf

Mary Balf researched and wrote a short history of the town of Chase, included is information on the man the town is named for at the town's history.

Books at the Museum
The West End, Kamloops, BC - by Jo Fitzsimmons

The west end of Kamloops was where the town first grew into a city. It still contains most of the city's heritage buildings.

Books at the Museum
The Bill Miner Rag

Bill Miner is perhaps the most infamous train robber in Canada and stood trial in Kamloops for train robbery. The Bill Miner rag is printed on newsprint and is a publication featuring the articles published from the Inland Sentinel newspaper of the time of the robberies, trial and escape of Bill Miner.

Included in the publication are photos by Mary Spencer of Bill Miner and his accomplices.

Books at the Museum
Savona's Ferry - by Mary Balf

This publication includes some of the interior ferry history during the gold rush in the Cariboo. The names and history of some of the area`s first ranchers and settlers are recorded.

Books at the Museum
The Rocky Mountain Rangers
The First 100 Years, 1908-2008 - by Vincent Bezeau

This publication features the history of the Rocky Mountain Rangers, the local military detachment serving the interior of BC, from 1908 to 2008 with photographs.

Included is a large volume of information on the independent companies that formed the militia from 1898 to 1908, the regiment at war time, the interwar period, the cold war, commanding officers, uniforms, badges, flags and call.

Books at the Museum
Bunch-Grass Beef
Ranching in the Kamloops District - by Mary Balf

This short booklet tells of the start of ranching in the Kamloops area around the time of the gold rush in BC's history.

Books at the Museum
Heritage Kamloops
A collection of Historical Buildings and Sites

This is a lovely large-format book featuring large archival and modern photos of heritage buildings in Kamloops.

Books at the Museum
The Pleasure of His Company
The Fishing Diaries of Jack Shaw - by Ralph Shaw

This large hardcover book features the diaries of Jack Shaw, renowned local fisherman.

Included is information on fly patterns and Shaw's fishing secrets.

Books at the Museum
A Whole Little City by Itself
Tranquille and Tuberculosis - by Wayne Norton

This book is the authoritative history of the Tranquille Sanatorium near Kamloops' airport. Wayne Norton provides the history of the institute at Tranquille, from its beginnings as a Tuberculosis Sanatorium to a mental health institute and its current condition as an abandoned site.

Books at the Museum
Kamloops History:
Fictions, Facts and Fragments - by Wayne Norton

Wayne Norton covers the most mythologized parts of Kamloops history to undercover the truths from the records. Includes more recent history of Kamloops than previous books.

Pamphlets

Pamphlets
These Heritage Tour materials are available at the museum and are ideal as momentos or to take a self guided tour.

Kamloops Heritage Walking Tour

Kamloops Heritage Walking Tour: "Time Marches On"
A more detailed version of a self-guided walking tour of Kamloops with more architectural details and historical information.

Heritage Bike Tour, 'Adventure in Valleyview'
This brochure provides cyclists with a self-guided bike tour of the Valleyview area with historical information.

Heritage Bike Tour, 'To Tranquille and Back'
This brochure provides cyclists with a self-guided bike tour of the Tranquille area with historical information.

Logo Contact
Kamloops Museum & Archives
207 Seymour Street
Kamloops, BC V2C 2E7
ph (250) 828-3576
fax (250) 828-3760
email museum@kamloops.ca

Note: All correspondence is entered into our system, and will be dealt with in due process. Please allow several working days for a response. Thank you.