Archives
Our archives provides public access to thousands of original documents related to the history of Parksville, Nanoose Bay, Coombs, Errington, Hillier, French Creek, and Lasqueti Island.
Our archives has a wide range of community records, including:
- many historical photographs
- family fonds
- records of businesses and clubs
- maps, charts, and archtectural drawings
- oral histories and transcribed interviews
- newspapers and clippings
- family fonds
- finding aids.
We also have a small library of books and publications dedicated to local history.
Oral History Interviews (video and audio)
- Settler Oral History of Nanoose, Parksville, Coombs & Errington
Watch the videos
USING THE ARCHIVES
We are privileged to be the custodians for an extensive set of important archival records from a historically significant local area. Our role is to protect and provide access to these records for current and future research. Our dedicated volunteer archivists are delighted to share the fascinating history and stories of this area and its peoples with you .
Archival records are considered precious primary source materials, and as such can only be viewed in a supervised space on-site. They are not available for borrowing. However, copies can be made.
Our archives is staffed by professional volunteers, who will provide orientation on archival protocols at registration. All users are expected to follow standard practices to ensure that the documents are preserved, secure, and available for continued use by future researchers.
PLANNING YOUR VISIT
Contact the archives to discuss your research needs and set up an appointment.
email the archives
Or fill out and return the research request form to help us prepare for and plan your visit.
view the request form
Please be aware that access to the archives is limited due to covid-19 protocols, so depending on ongoing research levels, it may take time to set up an appointment.
BC Ministry of Health covid-19 protocols are in-place for our building, and are subject to change without notice. Please be responsible and contact us to reschedule your visit if you feel unwell.
ARCHIVAL SERVICES and FEES
- Staff time for preparation ahead of your visit, or to answer individual email inquiries, is free, but is limited to two hours.
- If you are unable to visit the archives, we may be able to carry out historical research on your behalf depending on the nature of your question and the information we have. A fee of $30.00 per hour will be charged (the first hour is free).
- Copies of digital photographs are $2.00 per item; copies of textual records vary depending on number of pages (from $0.35 to $0.50 per page). Image reproduction costs of original photographs will vary depending on size of image (from $5.00 to $20.00+ per image).
- For mail orders, a $5.00 shipping and handling charge will be applied in addition to the cost of the total order (copying fee + postage charges). There will be an additional fee for rush orders.
OBTAINING IMAGES FOR COMMERCIAL USE
If you intend to use images from The Parksville Museum and Archives Collection for any commercial purposes, permission is required from the Collections Committee to reproduce material. If this condition applies, please inform us when you make an appointment, to give us time to manage your request.
- Charges for images for commercial use vary depending on the intent (not-for-profit – $4.00 per image; publication – $15.00 per image; merchandise – $60.00 per image). This commercial fee will apply in addition to the reproduction fee.
- Commercial Use of archival material is for one time only.
- Each photograph used in any commercial setting must credit The Parksville Museum. We will provide you with our approved citation format.
INTERESTED IN DONATING AN ITEM TO THE ARCHIVES OR THE MUSEUM?
Do you have some interesting historical items or documents that help to tell the story of this area? Are you interested in donating them to the Museum or the Archives? If so, please review and return the Offer to Donate form below, or email us directly.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Are you interested in finding out more about the history of BC, or other local areas? Here are some good websites you can visit:
1245 East Island Highway
Parksville, BC V9P 2E5
The Parksville Museum is located on the unceded, traditional, & ancestral lands of the Coast Salish, Hul’q’umi’num’ speaking people including the Snaw-naw-as and Snuneymuxw people.
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$10 per family or group
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