Dear Cranbrook, As we approach the end of another remarkable year, we find ourselves filled with a profound sense of gratitude and pride for what we have accomplished together. The […]
CHC News: April Edition
Get the inside scoop on what is going on at the History Centre!
Canada’s Boozy History
Canada has had a long and complicated history with alcohol. British Columbia was busy doing business during Canadian and American prohibition.
CHC News: February Edition
The first instalment of CHC News is here! Every other month we will post updates on the goings on at the centre to keep our community up to date on what we are up to.
How Canadians Learned to Shred: Skiing in Western Canada to the Mid 20th Century
Skiing is a well established part of Canadian culture, but how did that happen? This month’s blog explores our journey to becoming a skier’s paradise.
Cranbrook’s First Lady: A Brief History of the Cranbrook Hotel
The Cranbrook Hotel has been a part of our cityscape since 1897 and this month, she turns 124. The Cranbrook Hotel defined the city that we know today, and the people who passed through helped write our history.
Take a Seat: Chair Design and History
You might not think too much about the history of the chair you’re sitting on but the materials, values, and styles that came before have all had a major impact on its design and functionality. Learn about the intricacies of chair design and what inspired them through three unique chairs in the History Centre’s collection.
Cupola vs Turret: what are they and what’s the difference?
Two iconic towers in Cranbrook and their design origins.
Canadian chateaux style: design movement or good marketing?
What would Canada’s version of the Empire State Building, Chrysler Building, or the Breaker mansions might be? We think that railway hotels represent some of our country’s most iconic architecture. Read about Canadian Chateau style in this month’s blog.
The ‘grand’ achievement of English instrument-making
How long has the piano as we know it been around? A Broadwood piano is more than a good instrument: it represents an important shift in Western music history. The museum is finally giving our historic instrument the care and recognition it deserves.