Stepping into the Royal B.C. MuseumB次元官网网址檚 newest exhibit is like entering a giant photo album into B.C.B次元官网网址檚 past.
Dozens of portraits of families from Vancouver Island hang on the galleryB次元官网网址檚 walls, some dating as far back as 1836. There are also more contemporary photos of families. Home videos of children playing line the walls.
The artifacts are part of the museumB次元官网网址檚 latest exhibit, called Family: Bonds & Belonging, which explores how family can contribute to the idea of belonging to a nation, province, place or identity.
B次元官网网址淭his is an opportunity to see history from the front row. ItB次元官网网址檚 an opportunity to learn about our history in a different way, to look across the last 150 years and see history from a completely fresh perspective, from the perspective of families and the role that families have played in the shaping of our province, B次元官网网址� said Jack Lohman, RBCM CEO.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 an opportunity for everyone to find their place in the story, too.B次元官网网址�
As part of the exhibit, hundreds of items are on display, many of which were donated from more than 300 B.C. families that contribute to the notion of family. They include letters written by loved ones who were separated during wars, wedding rings, photos of prominent Islanders including the Dunsmuir and Crease families, as well as costumes.
According to Kathryn Bridge, curator of history and art at the museum, it was a challenge sorting through and narrowing down artifacts for the exhibit. The community had a hand in choosing what is currently on display through a series of meetings, in which they helped identify objects that resonated with them.
In the end, the museum put together a B次元官网网址減otpourriB次元官网网址� of themes of family, Bridge said.
B次元官网网址淓veryone belongs to a family of some sort. This exhibit is very inclusive, all different types of families, different ways that people are bonded together. ItB次元官网网址檚 an exhibit thatB次元官网网址檚 filled with something for everyone,B次元官网网址� she said, noting the wall of portraits was one of her favourite parts of the exhibit.
B次元官网网址淏y seeing some of the objects in the exhibit, people may think twice about that old photo album B次元官网网址� ThereB次元官网网址檚 a lot of stories that belong to you in that photo album.B次元官网网址�
Family: Bonds & Belonging opens Friday (June 2) and is on display until Oct. 31. For more information visit .
