[Bcma-l] Press Release: Kelowna Museums and UBC-O Partner for Myra Canyon Archaeology and History Project

[bcma-l@museumsassn.bc.ca]

/(Image: KMA#496 KVR Trestles ca. 1932. Photo courtesy of //Kelowna// 
Public Archives)/

/ /

*news release*

Kelowna Museums · 470 Queensway Ave · Kelowna, BC V1Y 6S7

(250) 763-2417 · info@kelownamuseums.ca

_For Immediate Release_

May 31, 2007

*kelowna** **museums** and ubc-o partner for *

*myra** **canyon** archaeological and history project*

*Public Lecture, Monday July 16, **7PM*

*Guided Day Tour, July 18 and July 21*

*Community Excavation, July 25-26-27 and August **1-2-3*

Kelowna, BC- The Kelowna Museums, in partnership with the University of 
British Columbia-Okanagan (UBC-O), is offering a rare opportunity for 
the public to visit and participate in an archaeological and historical 
project lead by UBC-O professors at Myra Canyon (near Kelowna). The 
purpose of the project is to research and document how the Kettle Valley 
Railway (KVR) was built back in the 1910s, and the historical and 
economic impact the railway had on the Okanagan and the rest of B.C.’s 
interior.

The university project includes an academic dig involving faculty and 
students but there are also two opportunities for the public to 
participate. The first opportunity is a Guided Day Tour, offered on July 
18 and again on July 21. The second opportunity is a Three Day Community 
Excavation, offered July 25, 26, 27, and then again on August, 1, 2, and 
3. The Guided Day Tour will include an introduction to KVR history and 
an overview of the excavation project. Participants will then take a 
guided tour of the site. The cost is $55 per person, per tour. The Three 
Day Community Excavation will include an introduction to KVR history and 
a tour of the site, as well as a rare opportunity to work hands-on 
alongside professionals and students at the excavation site over a three 
day period. The cost is $150 per person, per session. For tour details 
and to reserve a spot please call (250) 868-4836. Don’t miss out on this 
special opportunity - there are limited spots for public participation.

As a warm-up to the Myra Canyon Archaeological and History Project, the 
Okanagan Heritage Museum is hosting a Public Lecture on Monday, July 16 
at 7:00pm with Guest Speaker Joe Smuin, author of /Mileboards: A 
Historical Field Guide to the KVR/. This Public Lecture is open to all 
members of the public and admission is by donation. For more information 
on the Public Lecture or the Myra Canyon Project please call (250) 
763-2417.

The Okanagan Heritage Museum is a facility of the Kelowna Museums, a 
non-profit and charitable society dedicated to a greater awareness of 
the agricultural, wine-producing, military, and cultural heritages of 
the Okanagan. The Okanagan Heritage Museum is located at 470 Queensway 
Avenue, corner of Ellis and Queensway in Kelowna’s Cultural District. 
Open Monday-Friday 10am-5pm and Saturday 10am-4pm. Admission is by 
donation. For more information please visit KelownaMuseums.ca

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Media Contact: Risti Nykiforuk

/Marketing & Special Events Coordinator/

Kelowna Museums

(250) 763-2417 ext 22

events@kelownamuseums.ca