About the Museum
Founded in 1937, the Kamloops Museum and Archives has served the city of Kamloops as a reliable community museum. For decades the KMA has provided tourists and locals with an authentic experience that cannot be found anywhere else. With over 10,000 historical images and 20,000 artifacts in their archives, the museum has successfully told thousands of different stories and created memorable experiences for its visitors. The KMA has grabbed the attention of tourists from all over and has been featured in popular blogs such as the Calgary Herald who recommended the museum as a great stop before you hit the ski hills.
The KMA also snagged a spot on “6 Spectacular Travel Experiences to Cross Off Your Bucket List in BC” by Vancouverisawesome.com.
The Mission of the Museum
As a municipal museum, the KMA attracts a variety of visitors, not only from the region but from all over the world. With such a big audience they are committed to their role as a community museum and work tirelessly to educate visitors and locals alike. Museum supervisor Julia Cyr understands the significant role the KMA plays in the community and considers them to be very much a community resource. “Tourists want to see local history” states Cyr. In their exhibitions, the museum strives to convey this information in a way that is accessible to everyone, regardless of age or cultural background.
“150 Years of Canadian History” wall. Photo by: Avery Danyluk 
“Museum Moose” Photo by: Avery Danyluk
Tourism Partnerships
The KMA is proud to work closely with various organizations in town such as the Kamloops Legion, the Rocky Mountain Rangers and cultural groups like the Chinese and Japanese associations. These partnerships in tandem with community donations help the museum to showcase thousands of artifacts and allows them to feature different voices in their exhibitions.
Exhibitions
Through temporary exhibitions that change every 4-5 months, the KMA has shown their dedication to educating incoming visitors on numerous subjects from the history of the city, to present-day stories from different cultures and groups. “Creating an experience that facilitates learning is a top priority,” says Cyr. “Right now heritage is happening as we speak, so it’s really important to have that balance and to talk about issues and topics that are relevant today as well. I think that’s one of the main things we try to drive at here.”
Contact Information
Hours: Tuesday to Friday, 1:15–4:00 pm or by appointment.