Staff at Revelstoke Museum and Archives recently received several provincial accolades at the British Columbia Historical Federation (BCHF)'s annual awards gala in Williams Lake on Saturday, May 3.
Cathy English, who's served as the museum's curator for more than 40 years, earned exceptional praise herself as Revelstoke's dedicated historian, receiving a BCHF Award of Recognition for "exceptional service" preserving B.C.'s history.
"Cathy has become synonymous with history and heritage in the city," BCHF said in a release. "Her approach, which focuses on bringing Revelstoke to the forefront in a way that is robust and inclusive of all, has allowed for the uncovering of stories from underrepresented communities in Revelstoke."
It adds that "English is also being recognized for her dedication to teaching and guiding young professionals and youth, having actively mentored hundreds of students, interns and emerging professionals new to the heritage sector."
Though Revelstoke Museum and Archives staff weren't able to attend the awards gala, English told Black Press Media it's the first year the museum has received accolades from BCHF.
"We feel like we're getting quite a lot of recognition these days," she said. "It's great to make the museum a place where everyone feels welcome and included."
As well, the museum's biweekly Brown Bag History program, long hosted by English, received the BCHF Storytelling Award. Running since 2003, the interactive lunchtime sessions on a wide variety of Revelstoke-area history have been held somewhere between 300 and 400 times, English estimates.
Furthermore, Revelstoke Museum and Archives tied with the Agassiz-Harrison Museum to share the Cultural Resource Accessibility Award, thanks to former collections manager Rachael Lewis' hard work putting together the Accessibility Project in 2024.
The project utilizes a range of tools including sensory kits and audio tours for visitors with diverse abilities.
"It was just to give people different ways to access the museum, in a way that's most comfortable for them," English said, adding this meant not requiring that visitors be able to read, among other potential barriers it removed.
In the creation of the project, Lewis went to great lengths to select voices for the audio tours that had connections to each exhibit. Chosen speakers included Mayor Gary Sulz, lifelong resident and community man Tyler Maki, and a former Arrowhead resident whose family was displaced by the Hugh Keenleyside Dam.
"They all brought a personal connection to it, which I think just makes it more vibrant," English said.
She was also delighted to see good friend and fellow curator Deborah Chapman of Salmon Arm's R.J. Haney Heritage Village and Museum recognized by BCHF with an Award of Recognition, saying she's "always been impressed by the work that Chapman does," just a couple towns away.
Back in Revelstoke, "we're always looking for new ways to connect to the community," English added, quipping that with a core staff of four, Revelstoke Museum and Archives continues to be "the little museum that could."
BCHF, established in 1922, represents more than 100 member societies and 24,000 people in the province's non-profit historical sector.
Learn more about Revelstoke Museum and Archives at revelstokemuseum.ca.
