A new passport program has been launched to promote 10 museums from Salmon Arm to Penticton and the Okanagan’s rich heritage.
“We want to let locals and tourists know about the various historical sites in the Okanagan,” said Val Heuman, with the Okanagan Landing Stationhouse Museum and creator of the passport.
“The valley is phenomenally historical and exemplifies the pioneer spirit.”Besides the Landing museum, the other participating museums are Armstrong-Spallumcheen, O’Keefe Ranch, Lumby, Vernon, Fintry, R.J. Haney Village in Salmon Arm, Lake Country, the SS Sicamous in Penticton and the B.C. Orchard Industry Museum in Kelowna. Other museums may be added if there is sufficient interest in the passport.
“You can drive from Penticton to Salmon Arm and do the museum tour in one day,” said Heuman. “Many residents don’t know the history of the region.”
And there is an incentive to visit all of the museums. “When you are finished and you get all of the stamps in your passport, you receive a certificate,” said Heuman.
The passport also includes information on local cultural organizations and 11 hiking trails in the Greater Vernon area. It also has coupons from the publication’s six sponsoring businesses.
The passport costs $1 and is available at all participating museums.