The Museum began with an exhibit in the lobby of a sports fishing lodge in 1958, that was collected and presented by a group of people interested in the human history of Northern Vancouver Island and in particular in First Nations art and culture. The Museum was registered as a non-profit society in 1961, governed by a Board of Trustees.
Initially, the growing collection was located in several places in the community before being transferred to a purpose-built facility in 1967 as a local project to mark Canada’s Centennial Year. By 1978 the collection had outgrown this facility, and planning for a new facility began in 1987. Eleven recognized experts on the history and ethnology of the region helped to develop an outline of potential topics. By 1989 a floor plan and basic scale model was made of the major exhibits plan.
A 21,000 square foot facility was completed in 1994, and includes 7,000 square feet for a major exhibits gallery and 1,700 square feet for temporary exhibits.
Located on a seven-acre wooded site, it has a commanding view of Discovery Passage (an active shipping lane running between Campbell River and Quadra Island). The forested site offers excellent opportunities for outdoor activities, displays and interpretation.
