Museums are not dusty relics of the past - they are us;  reflecting our history, showcasing what we value, helping us understand and appreciate the past. They give us a sense of our place in the world, and help us learn lessons of those who have gone before.

International Museum Day is coming up on May 18th, so this episode we have archivist Sonia Nicholson from the Saanich Pioneer Society & Log Cabin Museum.

The Society has been around since the late 1860s, with the Saanich Pioneer Museum built in 1933. Although located in what is now Central Saanich, the Municipality was actually Ward 6 of Saanich. So while Ward 6 seceded from Saanich in 1950, the Society name continued, as that was their history.

Listen as Sonia talks about some of the challenges that small museums and archives face, especially when they are stand-alone not-for-profits. We also discuss what is coming up with the Saanich Pioneer Society as they prepare to re-open from the pandemic, the power of museums, what you can do to get involved (it's also National Volunteer Week!), and we touch on how the spark was lit for Sonia to write a book involving local history! 

Links for what we discuss:

Saanich Pioneer Society 

Twitter: @SaanichPioneerS

Instagram: @saanichpioneersociety

Facebook: Saanich Pioneer Society @SaanichPioneerSoc

International Council of Museums 

Twitter: @IcomOfficiel

Instagram: @icomofficiel

Facebook: International Council of Museums - ICOM @IcomOfficiel

International Council of Museums - Canada 

Twitter: @ICOMCanada

Facebook: ICOM Canada @ICOMCanada

#IMD2022 #InternationalMuseumsDay #InternationalMuseumDay