Written by KidApprovedBC 09/01/18
Housed in the historical train and customs station in the heart of the White Rock strip, the White Rock Museum and Archives is a piece of history with some surprisingly hands on exhibits that will charm the youngest of visitors. With a permanent, interactive Children’s Gallery and “City by the Salish Sea” exhibit, this is a great rainy day destination for everyone from toddlers to the homeschooling family.
The Story
In 1975, the Great Northern Railway sold the train and customs station to the City of White Rock for $1, after the passenger train made its last stop. Since then, the tiny station has metamorphosed into the museum that it is today. Discover stories of the Semiahmoo First Nation, the history of the area and the strong ties to rail and fishing.
The Train
The ticket office has been restored to its 1950’s glory, complete with equipment used at the time. Combined with an interactive train engine display with pipes, lights, sound and even steam, this homage to rail travel will inspire imaginative play.
The Children’s Gallery
Along with the train engine, there are several other hands-on exhibits in the gallery. The first settlers to White Rock often camped, and a replica of the original tents is set up. Play food and camping accessories encourage creative play. Kids can hunker down in the tent and pretend to be an early settler to the area.
And the ties to the ocean are strong for this coastal town, so the museum would not be complete without a magnetic wall mural with all the creatures of the sea. This space for tactile learning engages children as they move the creatures around to create their own ocean mural.
City by the Salish Sea
This is the other permanent exhibit in the museum. It tells the story of White Rock, from a small seaside settlement to a booming lumber town fuelled by rail traffic. Learn about the Semiahmoo First Nation, and how White Rock became its own city in 1957, separate from Surrey. A video details the civic building of the city with schools and the hospital.
And of course, the many years of sandcastle competitions.
Visiting Exhibits
The museum hosts a variety of temporary exhibits throughout the year. Opening on January 16th, the museum is proud to showcase “In Process”, a series of works by fine arts students at Kwantlen Polytechnic University. Each work pays homage to the style of several different historically important artists, from Picasso to Van Gogh to Monet. The works represent the process that the students are going through to become artists themselves.
For the budding artist, this inspirational exhibit will offer an opportunity to learn about different styles of art and famous artists. A worksheet challenges visitors with a “Guessing Game” approach to exploring these works.
When to Visit
The museum is open for winter hours, starting January 16: Tuesday to Friday from 10.30-4.30, weekends 11.00-4.30, closed Mondays. Admission is by donation. Check website or Facebook for seasonal changes.
Make it a Day Trip
There are so many reasons to visit White Rock at any time of year, so turn your visit into a day trip. We asked Museum Curator, Kate Petrusa, for some of her favourite spots. She recommends the strip classic Uli’s Restaurant for brunch or lunch, and also suggests a walk along the iconic White Rock Pier. There are historical panels along the Pier, highlighting stories of crab fishing, the Japanese community and the Semihamoo First Nation to name a few. A perfect outdoor complement to the learnings from the museum.
And of course, we at Kid Approved absolutely cannot be this close to the beach without getting on the sand! Bring some boots and take a beach walk. Hunt for crabs in tidal pools, scramble up the driftwood and let loose the wild child in us all.