If you are in Nanaimo, be sure to visit the Nanaimo Museum, which is featuring new exhibits and programs.
The Forgotten Flu is an exhibit running in the Community Gallery until February 15th.
Learn how, in 1918, the Spanish Flu swept around the globe including Nanaimo. Local business, industries and schools closed and an emergency hospital opened. To coincide with the 100th anniversary of the Spanish Flu Epidemic, Vancouver Island University history students, supervised by Katharine Rollwagen, have developed this exhibition.
Upcoming exhibit — Nanaimo Mysteries runs from February 15 to September 2, 2019.
A safe-cracking ex-cop, the last public hanging in Nanaimo and a spy are just a few mysteries to unravel in Nanaimo’s history. Cold cases and solved murders that date back 150 years, rumours of hidden treasure and a psychic brought in to solve a missing persons case. Buildings and places that have vanished such as a house that sank into mine workings and a forgotten ski hill. Nanaimo Mysteries explores aspects of local history that are usually left buried and busts the myths surrounding some of our most infamous stories.
‘Hogs & Hearts I-Spy, February 1—28, Monday to Saturday, 10am—5pm
Calling all eagle-eyes! Our gallery has been overrun with groundhogs and hearts to celebrate both Groundhog Day and Valentines’ Day! While you’re visiting the museum during the month of February, our young (or young-at-heart) visitors can pick up a checklist of all the ‘hogs and hearts to be found in our gallery. See if you can find them all, and win a small prize from the front desk.
Lunar New Year self-guided gallery tour, February 1—28, Monday to Saturday, 10am—5pm
Gong hei fat choy! Gong xi fa cai! To celebrate Lunar New Year on February 5, 2019, request a special gallery guide at the front desk through the month of February.
Use the guide to explore the Chinatown section of our permanent gallery and focus on fascinating artifacts, photos, and people who are linked with the story of Nanaimo’s Chinatowns and community. The highlight of the tour is the lion mask on display, which was given to Nanaimo’s Dart Koon Club in 1937. The Lion Dance is performed during special celebrations, including Lunar New Year, accompanied by drums and cymbals to scare away evil spirits
For more information, visit the Nanaimo Museum’s website.
