Ever wondered about the history of your home?  The Kamloops Museum and Archives is the resource for you!

We visited the Kamloops Museum and Archives to chat with Jaimie Fedorak, the KMA Archivist about using the KMA resources to access information about historical homes in Kamloops.  We had a wonderful discussion with Jaimie, and you can hear that conversation on this episode of the Kamloops Real Estate Insider Podcast.

In general, using municipal museum archives can be very helpful for finding information on a house because these archives often contain a wealth of historical information about the local area, including information on individual properties....if the property is old enough! Jaimie also explained that the information at the KMA is limited to what has been acquired by the museum, so there are no guarantees that the information you're looking for will be there, but it is absolutely a great place to start.

Here are some of the ways the Kamloops Museum and Archives can help in researching a house:

1. Historical Records: the KMA hold a variety of historical records, such as directories, property deeds, tax records, and building permits. These records can provide valuable information on the ownership history of a house, as well as details about any renovations or additions that have been made over the years.
2. Photographs and Maps: the KMA has a collection of old photographs and maps of Kamloops and surrounding region. These resources can help in identifying changes to the property over time, as well as providing context on the property's location and surrounding neighborhood.  Using their photograph directory is also quite fun! Old photographs are like tiny time machines that let you peek into the past.
3. Local Histories: Many municipal museum archives have published local histories that can provide background information on the area where the house is located. These histories may include information on the original settlement of the area, the development of the local economy, and notable individuals or events that shaped the area's history.
4. Oral Histories: Some municipal museum archives may also have collections of oral histories, in which local residents share their personal experiences and memories of the area. These interviews can provide unique insights into the history of a particular property or neighborhood.
5. Artifacts and Memorabilia: The KMA has a robust collection of artifacts and memorabilia that provide a glimpse into daily life in the local area. For example, a museum may have a collection of antique tools or household items that were used by residents in the past.

Using the resources at the Kamloops Museum and Archives is the perfect way to start researching information about your home. The archives may contain historical records, photographs, maps, local histories, oral histories, and artifacts that can provide a wealth of information on the property and the surrounding area. By utilizing these resources, researchers can gain a deeper understanding of the property's history and significance.

The KMA Archives are open Tuesday to Friday, 1:15–4:00 pm. The Archives Reading Room is on the KMA's second floor.

The KMA is located at:

207 Seymour Street
Kamloops, BC V2C 2E7
Phone: (250) 828-3576
museum@kamloops.ca