A "sourdough" on the Douglas Trail, 1858

The Douglas Trail was constructed in the fall of 1858. This was the first public works project on the mainland. It was initiated by Governor Douglas to ensure food and freight could be transported to the goldfields inland.

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Pemberton & District
Museum & Archives Society

Open 7 Days a Week

Opening Saturday May 22nd, 2010. We are open from May to Sept annually from 10am to 5pm daily, 7 days a week. Guided tours available upon request. Research requests available year round. Please contact us in advance.

Research and Reproductions

The Pemberton museum supports research and reproduction requests on a year-round basis.  Please see the About Us page for more information about our holdings and research/reproduction terms of use and fees.

Explore Pemberton and District's Heritage

Can you imagine walking to Pemberton from Vancouver, clearing the land with horses and building a house with hand tools? William Morgan Miller did this in 1894 and you can explore this original hand-hewn log building, with squared timbers and dove-tail joints, at the museum.

The Pemberton Heritage Museum is a collection of buildings and artifacts that date back to the 1860's. Displayed in a setting that resembles a small Pioneer Village are three original hand hewn log homes and artifacts dating from 1860-1950. Children can explore the Barney House which is set up as a one room school.  Experience living in another time and explore the Shantz House home.  The Sam Jim House displays the curio's like the old dentist chair and Frank Tierney's artfical hand.

Around the museum grounds you will see various horse drawn tools, wagons, machinery, a trapper's cabin and other curiosities from times past.

Did you know?

• Port Pemberton was founded as a stopping point on the historic Harrison-Lillooet gold rush trail? 30,000 gold-rushers passed through this region from 1858-1865 and Port Pemberton was an important stopping point for travelers making their way to Lillooet and the gold-fields beyond!
• Pemberton has produced seed potatoes for commercial sale since the 1930's, eventually developing the first commercial virus free seed potatoes in North America in 1966.
• Electricity didn't come to the valley until 1951 and phone didn't arrive until 1958.
• The only way in an out of the Pemberton area until the mid-1960's was by foot, by horse or by rail. As early as the 1930's cars and roads existed in Pemberton but you could only drive from one end of the valley to the other until the highway arrived in 1967.

Located in the Village of Pemberton

We are located in the heart of downtown Pemberton at 7455 Prospect St. The Society meets every 2nd Wednesday each month at the Museum.

Unique Gift Shop

Made in Pemberton. Visit the Pemberton Museum Gift Shop.  Handmade Unique Gifts and Curios by Local Artisans.  Art, pottery, sculpture, knits, weaves, jewlery, woodcraft, beauty products, glass works, gift cards and more!

Join us for the Tea & Tales Program every Tuesday at 2pm in July and August.

Families can explore the site using our "World of Yesterday" scavenger hunt for children and plant lovers will enjoy our "Museum Garden Tour" of heritage perennials. Walkers will love our 2.5 km "Heritage Walk" from One Mile Lake through the Village and out to the end of Portage Road. Pick up a brochure at the Visitor Center or at the Museum.

Become a member or just come on by for a visit.

Check the Events & Programs page to find out what is going on at your community museum.

Visit our blog for Pemberton Museum news and updates.

Support our fundraising campaign for the new administration and display building under construction and help ensure the long term preservation of the community memory in Pemberton and District.  Buy a Bit.