[BCMA] Heritage Week exhibit at the Cowichan Valley Museum & Archives

[Moderated BCMA subscriber listserv.]

Cowichan Valley Museum & Archives

February 20, 2012

 

Electric Memories: The Duncan Power House

 

Duncan - The Cowichan Valley Museum & Archives celebrates Heritage Week - Energy in BC: A Powerful Past, A Sustainable Future with an installation about one of Duncan's older heritage buildings, the Duncan Power House.  Also on view is a display of artifacts from the museum's collection depicting how tools and appliances were transformed by electricity.

 

"I can still hear the thud, thud, of that ancient meter as it thudded away those months and years.  It is deeply imbedded in the hearts of the old timers as we were able to cast away our candles and oil-lamps, as a new era in life of Duncan evolved," recalled Duncan resident George Mutter in 1982.  The Duncan Power House occupied a site on Canada Avenue in a brick building that is still in existence today.  The building represents the formative years of Duncan's history, along with the Train Station, the Post Office, now Duncan City Hall, and the old telephone building on Craig Street. Photographs from the museum's archives illustrate the story of the old power station and some of the people who worked there.

 

With the advent of electricity new tools and appliances were designed to lighten the load of physical labour.  New and Improved! is a display that features artifacts that were improved by electricity such as carpet sweepers, irons and foot warmers.  When styling hair, waves were once made by heating a tool for that purpose on a hot stove.  Later a fantastic machine was developed to create permanent waves - if you were brave enough to use it!

 

Electric Memories is on view until May 18, 2012.

 

The Cowichan Valley Museum & Archives is located in the 100 year old heritage designated Duncan Train Station, Duncan, BC.  During the Station's Centennial year, admission is by donation.  For more information, please call (250) 746-6612 or email cvmuseum.archives at shaw.ca.

 

Kathryn Gagnon
Curator/Manager
Cowichan Valley Museum and Archives
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