A museum inspired by the convergence of art and history
The Nelson Museum, Archives and Gallery (NMAG) is more than a place to view artifacts and photographs. With historical exhibitions, contemporary art shows, book launches and community events, it’s a vibrant centre for arts, history and community life—truly a cultural touchstone for the region.
The NMAG traces its roots to 1955, when the Kootenay Museum Association was incorporated. After a few years at its current 502 Vernon Street location—a former post office that became Nelson’s City Hall in the early 1960s—it moved to a series of locations, including the former Kansas City House brothel on Lake Street. In 1974, it relocated again to a purpose-built 5,000 square-foot facility, constructed as part of BC’s centennial celebrations.
By the early 2000s, that space could no longer meet the needs of the growing collection or expanding programming. In 2003, a local referendum approved renovating the Vernon Street building after City Hall relocated. The new facility, originally known as Touchstones Nelson, opened in 2006, following a $3.2 million renovation. The project was supported by a $220,000 grant from Columbia Basin Trust.
“The old building could not keep up with growth and development,” says Jennifer Dunkerson, Executive Director, NMAG. “The new one is visible and central, with space for storage and archives.”
Since then, the Trust has continued to provide significant support for equipment upgrades, conservation work, programming and energy efficiency. These contributions have helped sustain a facility that is both rooted in the community’s past and responsive to its present.
NMAG’s impact extends beyond its walls. In addition to hosting
exhibits downtown, the Nelson Museum curates sports displays at the Nelson and District Community Complex and Civic Centre arenas. Its archival collections are anchored by the Shawn Lamb Archives, named for the late director and long-time archivist who retired in 2009 after 25 years of service.
“She was the founder of most of what we do, and her vision was for the museum to be the centre of Nelson’s history,” says Dunkerson. “We continue to uphold that in everything we do. She had the passion and dedication that set an example for all of us.”
That legacy continues in award-winning projects like Roll On Columbia: Exploring the Landscape and Culture of the Columbia River Treaty, a 2015 exhibition that wove history and art together to tell the story of the Columbia River. Supported in part by the Trust, the exhibit earned the Canadian Museums Association’s award for Outstanding Achievement in Exhibitions for institutions with budgets under $1 million.
Today, NMAG continues to grow. In 2024, 12,500 visitors came through the doors, up from 11,800 the year before. The museum employs nine staff and hosts 50 active volunteers, with student staff joining each summer. Visitors experience rotating exhibitions, community programming and permanent features like Nelson’s Cold War-era bunker, located adjacent to the main building.
“Our goal is to be welcoming and inclusive to anybody who walks through the doors,” says Dunkerson. “People can be confident they will see and take away a new perspective.”
That commitment is reflected in the museum’s evolving approach to representation and reconciliation. NMAG is working to build and formalize relationships with local Indigenous communities. A staircase exhibit explores local LGBTQ2+ history, and work is underway to redesign the museum’s main historical exhibition, originally created in 2005, to better reflect the full range of voices in the community. A public survey will help guide that redesign.
As the museum continues to evolve, the Trust remains a valued supporter, especially at key moments of growth and transition.
“The Trust has been a foundation that we can use to reach out to other supporters,” says Dunkerson. “Their presence has made a real difference; we wouldn’t be where we are today without them.”
Nearly two decades after its transformation, The Nelson Museum, Archives and Gallery continues to demonstrate the value of community-driven vision and long-term support—a hallmark of the Trust’s work throughout the Basin over the past 30 years.
