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The Archives
The Greater Vernon Museum’s Archives has the distinction of being among the most respected research facilities in the province. Each year, well in excess of 700 research inquiries from individuals in the province and many other parts of the country come through our archives. A full time archivist, Barbara Bell, manages the department.
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The purpose of the archives is to acquire and preserve material of archival and/or informational value to the North Okanagan and to make such material available to the public by employing accepted archival practices.
Museum standards for the handling and conservation of archival material are maintained at all times. Original materials are housed in acid-free storage boxes or envelopes and kept in a secure room that is completely climate controlled.
Resources Available
Full Descriptions of our holdings are available online through the British Columbia Archival Information Network @ www.aabc.bc.ca/aabc/bcain.html
- Collections of original documents
- Over 250 record groups containing original documents from individuals, groups, organizations, societies, local government, and businesses.
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Information Files that include...
- Over 450 local history topics.
- The Interior Salish.
- Biographical information on over 1500 people.
- Military topics back to the Boer War.
- Reference library with books & information on…
- Local, provincial, & national history.
- Natural history.
- Military history.
- Photograph database
- Over 25,000 historic images.
- Local newspapers (Vernon News/Morning Star).
- Property assessment records (1890’s to 1965).
- City of Vernon council minutes (1893 - 1974).
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Vernon & area telephone books back to 1911.
- Okanagan Historical Society Reports back to 1926.
- B.C. Mining Reports (1899, 1903 - 1979).
- B.C. Dragoons war diaries (1915-1919 & 1940-1945).
- Extensive map collection
- Topographical maps
- Contour maps
- Historical maps
- Fire Insurance Plans (1913, 1939, 1952, & 1970).
- B.C. Gazette (1886 - 1922).
Researchers visiting the archives are welcome to use our public computer terminal that provides access to our photograph database and hundreds of local oral history interviews.
Accessing the Archives
Location:
3009 - 32nd Avenue
Vernon, B.C.
V1T 2L8
Hours of Operation;
Tuesday to Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Limited access on Saturdays
(no archival staff on duty)
E-mail: archives@vernonmuseum.ca
Web Site: www.vernonmuseum.ca
Phone: (250) 542-3142
Fax: (250) 542-5358
To avoid any disappointments, out-of-town researchers coming to the archives are encouraged to phone or e-mail ahead and book an appointment with the archivist.
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Archival Services & Fees
Obtaining Copies of Archival Material:
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You can obtain copies of most archival material in our collections. The Vernon Museum’s archives can provide one copy of material in our holdings for research and private study when no restrictions apply. However, any further copying or use of the material (for example publication) is subject to the restrictions imposed by the Copyright Act.
Because of the unique nature of the records we do not allow researchers to do their own reproductions from original documents. Staff will do this copying on your behalf.
Be aware that some records may not be immediately available for your use. Access to records may be restricted for the following reasons:
- Personal Information Protection Act of British Columbia.
- Restrictions placed on a collection by the donor.
- The records are too fragile or damaged to be handled or copied.
Using Original Archival Records:
In many cases, the records that you will be consulting at the Greater Vernon Museum and Archives are original historical records. This may mean paper files, bound volumes, maps and plans or architectural drawings. Many of these records are fragile and almost all are unique and irreplaceable. The preservation and security of these records is one of our chief concerns. Some things you should know:
Unlike libraries, archives do not permit public access to stack areas. Instead, you order material and it will be provided to you in our supervised research area.
To protect the region’s documentary heritage for future generations, we have established Rules and Guidelines for the Handling of Archival Records by Visiting Researchers. Please take a moment to read these guidelines before visiting the archives.
Under no circumstances will original archival records be removed from the museum’s archives.
Long Distance Research Requests
The archives will answer requests for information free of charge for the first 20 minutes of research time. A charge of $30.00 per hour will apply for time spent in excess of 20 minutes.
Requests for information will be responded to as quickly as staff time permits. Please allow 14 to 21 days response time.
Environmental Research (professional)
Environmental Research companies will be charged a fee of $30.00 for the use of our archival resources plus any charges incurred through photocopying or image reproduction.
Encapsulation of Private Documents
The encapsulation of documents in Mylar for the purposes of preservation can be requested. The fee for this service is .75 per united inch (length plus width).
Archival Supplies
- Acid Free Tissue: 24x36 - $ .50 per sheet
- Acid Free Envelopes: Legal - $1.75 each
- Acid Free File Folders: Legal - $1.25 each
- Acid Free Document Boxes: Legal (5" wide) $15.00 each
Photocopy Charges
 Copies from archival information files (including newspapers): Self copied.
Letter or legal size: .25 per copy 11 x 17 - $0.50 per copy
Copies from original documents: Staff copied.
Letter or legal size: .50 per copy 11 x 17 - $1.00 per copy
All colour copies: Staff copied.
Letter or legal size: 1.00 per copy 11 x 17 - $1.50 per copy
Researchers can do their own copying using our Micro-film reader printer. The fee is .40 per copy.
Copies of Photographs (from a negative)
Photographic image reproductions from the archives’ photograph database are available at the following prices.
All photographs are printed on RC (resin coated) paper that is suitable for both reference and publication purposes. Out-of-town requests must be pre-paid.
| Print Size |
Cost |
Sepia Tone (additional cost) |
| 4 x 5 |
$ 6.00 |
$ 4.00 |
| 5 x 7 |
$ 8.00 |
$ 5.00 |
| 8 x 10 |
$14.00 |
$ 7.00 |
| 11 x 14 |
$22.00 |
$10.00 |
| 16 x 20 |
$33.00 |
$12.00 |
| 20 x 24 |
$58.00 |
$15.00 |
| 24 x 36 |
$90.00 |
$20.00 |
Note: If the archives does not have a negative for a photo requested, an additional fee of $10.00 will be added to the prices shown. The negative remains the property of the archives.
Copies of Photographs (digital)
Images from our photograph database can be sent to you via e-mail, or copied to a disc and mailed. Images are scanned at 300 dpi in a j-peg format unless otherwise requested. Delivery: up to 1 week.
Scanned 300dpi image (j-peg format) via e-mail $10.00 per image
For images scanned to a disc, an additional charge of $5.00 is applied plus $5.00 for shipping and handling.
Digital Image Copy Printouts
Digital printouts:
- 8x10 b&w $5.00 per image
- 8x10 colour $8.00 per image
Publication & Commercial Fees
In addition to any print, negative, or digital copying costs, a publication fee will be imposed for each image used for commercial purposes, based on the following rates…
| $10.00 |
Calendar, brochure, magazine, newsletter, website. |
| $20.00 |
Books, films, video. |
| $50.00 |
Postcards, T-shirts, coffee mugs, etc. |
Add 20% to print costs for interior or exterior display panels for a commercial establishment (restaurant).
One complimentary copy of any publication using images from the archives is to be donated to the archives’ reference library.
No publication fees will be imposed for non-profit agencies, other museums, schools or universities for images used for educational purposes.
Note: All photographic images are subject to the conditions laid out in the Vernon Museum and Archives Conditions for use of Photographic Images. We encourage you to read this document before ordering any images.
Mail Out Charges
A minimum charge of $5.00 for shipping and handling will be applied to all requests requiring mailing. This will increase accordingly if postage charges exceed this amount.
Membership in the Friends of the Greater Vernon Museum and Archives entitles you to 10% off fees for archival services plus other benefits. Contact the museum for more information.
Rules and Guidelines for the Handling of Archival Records by Visiting Researchers.
Researchers are reminded that they are working with historical records that are unique and often very fragile. These rules outline your responsibilities as a researcher to help us preserve the holdings of the Greater Vernon Museum and Archives.
- Personal belongings including briefcases, oversize purses, backpacks, etc. must be left with the museum’s receptionist.
- Small purses, wallets, research notes, personal computers, and personal dictation or recording machines may be taken into the research area. However, cameras, including digital cameras and video cameras, are not permitted. In special circumstances, cameras may be used to copy documents, but only if prior arrangements have been made. Please consult with the Archivist for details. For preservation reasons, the use of digital scanners is prohibited.
- Eating and drinking are prohibited in the research area. This includes chewing gum and candy. Smoking is prohibited throughout the building.
- Archival material MUST NOT be removed from the research area.
- Records are delivered to researchers in the research room upon submission of a request to a staff member. Researchers are not allowed access to the stacks or storage vault.
- The Greater Vernon Museum and Archives provides various copying services subject to copyright, donor agreements and the physical condition of the records. If you require reproductions please refer to rules governing use of copied material.
Handling Archival Records:
- Do not apply hand lotion or cream prior to handling archival records. After eating, wash and thoroughly dry hands before working with archival records.
- ONLY PENCILS MAY BE USED TO TAKE NOTES. The only exception is for Archives staff who may need to sign documents with pens.
- Archival records should only be viewed on the table available in the research area. Please leave archival records flat on the table surface as much as possible. Avoid letting records overhang past the table's edge.
- Use the white cotton gloves for handling records when they are provided.
- Always handle archival records with both hands to ensure the safety of the record. Only one archival record should be handled at a time. If records are kept in files, handle only one file at a time. Do not remove documents from folders. If you have a question about a document, ask the Archivist to come to your table. Do not carry the document about the room.
- Handle records carefully and deliberately. Never flip archival records like magazine or newspaper pages. Move the records by sliding them from one pile to another. Replace them in the same way when you are finished, sliding them back into their original order.
- It is imperative that you maintain the order of the archival records you are using. Do not change the order of the files within a container, or items within a file.
- Do not write on archival records. Avoid placing your note-taking pad on top of records or leaning directly on archival records. Tracing maps or other records, or the use of “post-it” or other self-sticking notes, staples or paper clips on archival records is not permitted.
- Avoid forcing volumes open to 180º so they lie flat. Certain types of archival records, such as rolled items, blueprints and glass plate negatives, have special handling needs. The Archivist will offer guidance to researchers handling these records.
If you have any questions about handling archival material, staff would be happy to answer your questions or assist you in any way.
The use of the archival material and facilities at the Greater Vernon Museum and Archives is your right. However, we reserve the right to cancel user privileges should any violation of the above regulations take place.
Conditions for Use of Photographic Images
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