October 14, 2004

The Doukhobor Village Museum has ended another triumphant season and is now well on the way to producing a major exhibit for 2005.

Beginning with a landmark opening featuring Vladimir Tolstoy, great, great grandson of the famous humanitarian, and other special guests from the State Museum of Tolstoy in Russia, the season ended with various major accomplishments, the last one being the beginning of major signage at the entrance of the museum.

In between, the compound walkway has been enhanced with a gravel pathway decorated with heritage plants and flowers, major artifacts such as the grist mill and the flour mill were restored, and the board room renovated.

Much of this work was possible due to a Joint Work Creation Project with the Nelson office of the HRDC. Other benefactors such as the Vancouver Foundation and the Columbia Basin Trust enabled us to begin work on the major exhibition for next year, the lantern slide exhibit of previously unseen images of Doukhobor settlement in Saskatchewan and British Columbia.

Left, workers settle the sign in its forms.

Throughout the summer, there were 26 special tours, ranging from Chinese groups from Vancouver, to the Rotary tour from South America. Other visitors originated from 69 different provinces, states and countries. Attendance has increased for the sixth consecutive year.

Plans for next years' opening on April 24th are in the preparation stage, and announcements will be made soon.

The Doukhobor Village Museum thanks its many visitors and supporters for their attendance and assistance, and the many community organizations that support this exquisite venue.

We look forward to a great year in 2005!