Our Story
The qathet Museum and Archives was spearheaded by Golden Stanley, a local Powell River resident with a deep appreciation and love of history. Along with like-minded community members such as Terry Randall and Gordon German, Golden collected items and stored them in various basements and attics with the hope that a museum would one day be built.
1962: A committee formed the Powell River Museum. Members consisted of Gordon German, Golden Stanley, Terry Randall, Nora McQuarries, Isobel Dawson, and Ivy Baston. Under the guidance of the museum’s first president, Gordon German, they used a small space in the City Hall building to store the museum’s artifacts and archives.
1967: The Powell River Historical Museum and Archives Association was officially incorporated. The Museum’s collections were moved to the Centennial Building which also served as a recreational facility for the City at 4790 Marine Avenue. Curator Golden Stanley and Laura Everett set up the first displays in the Centennial Building.
1974: The Museum’s exhibits were moved to its current location. This building was constructed just three years before the Museum took over the space and it was first used as the City’s youth centre.
2022: The Museum was officially renamed qathet Museum and Archives Society on April 21, 2022.
The same love and appreciation that Golden Stanley felt is carried on by the Museum’s board of directors, staff and volunteers. Today they continue to help preserve the history of the qathet Regional District. The Museum’s mission is to continue to engage visitors by providing exciting educational programming that ensures publicly accessible collections, and inclusive and informative exhibits.
Mission
To acquire, archive, and exhibit historical resources, preserving and making them available to the public. To create and deliver innovative programming that engages our community and visitors. To serve as a valuable community partner, working in collaboration to support the region’s cultural and economic well-being.
Vision
To be a recognized leader in the stewardship of the region’s historical resources, educating and inspiring our community to use the power of history for a prosperous future.
Mandate
The qathet Museum & Archives Society (qMAS) is committed to preserve, maintain, and make available the cultural, historic, and documentary heritage of Powell River and qathet Regional District from Desolation Sound to the Jervis Inlet including Harwood, Hernando, Savary and Texada islands. The qMAS presents the history of the region through exhibits, guided tours, and outreach programs. The qMAS encourages, and supports historical research and works to stimulate public interest in topics of local significance to our community. The qMAS operates for the public as a non-profit charity, incorporated on January 1, 1967. The museum is available to all members of the public, and serves as a valuable community partner, working in collaboration to support the region’s cultural and economic well-being.
Our Funders
