Central Okanagan Heritage Society

04/24/2025

The Ornimental Pears and Daffodils looking beautiful thanks to the for giving their time & expertise! The bees seem to enjoy them too.😊🐝
🌼🌸🌼🌸🌼🌸🌼🌸🌼

04/22/2025

April 26, Central Okanagan United Church
1-3pm

“I played a Pipe Organ today!”

Help us set a record for the most people playing an organ on International Organ Day

The sound of a pipe organ might bring to mind Westminster Abbey or any of the great cathedrals in Europe. Few churches in Canada are fortunate to have pipe organs. That is one of the things Central Okanagan United Church is celebrating in 2025, especially as the organ is a century old this year!

The organ was given as a gift in 1925 by the local United Church Women. It was built by the Casavant Frères Organ Builders, a Quebec-based company. The gift marked church union in 1925, the year the United Church of Canada came into existence by an Act of Parliament—the only denomination in Canada to do so—uniting Methodists, Congregationalists and Presbyterians.

Following a very successful concert “Echoes of a Century” on March 9th in which more than 300 people were treated to an opportunity to hear classical pieces from composers like Bach and Rheinberger, Central Okanagan United Church will open its doors to the public, offering a hands-on experience with our wonderful hundred-year-old organ!

To celebrate International Organ Day as well as the 100th anniversary of the Casavant pipe organ at Central Okanagan United Church, we will be participating in an event along with many RCCO (Royal Canadian College of Organists) Centres across the country on Saturday, April 26.

The event takes place between 1 and 3 pm, and everyone is invited to drop in, take a closer look at how our organ works, and get a chance to play it, even if ‘chopsticks’ is the only piece you know how to play.

The purpose is to raise awareness of the pipe organ and its music as well as to set a record for the most people playing an organ on International Organ Day. Simultaneous events are being held at various locations throughout Canada to celebrate International Organ Day.

04/17/2025

Say “I Do” at Benvoulin Heritage Park 💍🌿
Looking for a romantic and unique wedding venue in Kelowna? Our historic 1892 church, lush gardens, and rustic charm create the perfect setting for your special day.

✨ Limited dates still available for July & October 2025
✨ Now booking for 2026 weddings and events

Let timeless elegance set the tone for your unforgettable celebration.

okheritagesociety.com/benvoulin-heritage-park/

04/10/2025

We learned how to prune roses the right way this afternoon 🌹 Thank you Master Gardeners for the lesson. ,,,,,,.ubco,.ubco,,,,,,

04/07/2025

🥀 free ROSE pruning workshop April 9th at Benvoulin Heritage Site. 4:30 - 5:30. ,,,,,,.ubco,.ubco,,,,,,

04/06/2025

Don't forget to vote for "The Next Great Save 2025"

From now until April 17, 12 community groups from across the country are competing for a share of $65,000 in prizes.

Thanks to a generous sponsorship from Ecclesiastical Insurance, the first-place winner will receive a $50,000 cash prize. Second- and third-place prizes of $10,000 and $5,000 are also in play.

And the best part? YOU get to decide the winner!

Visit the Next Great Save website, explore the projects, and vote daily for your favourite historic place.

YOU have the power to shape the future of historic sites. Every vote counts—help save a place that matters!

Check out the two BC sites in the competition:
1. Historic O'Keefe Ranch, Vernon, BC
Founded in 1867, the O’Keefe Ranch is important as a representation of the earliest European settlement in the Okanagan Valley.

2. Tam Kung Temple, Victoria, BC
A cornerstone in Victoria's Historic Chinatown and standing tall since 1876, the Tam Kung Temple is the oldest Chinese Temple in Canada and is a cherished landmark for Chinese Canadian history via Trans-Pacific migration.

For more on the competitors check out:
https://nextgreatsave.nationaltrustcanada.ca/2025/


Museum & Visitor Centre Kelowna & District Genealogical Society Lake Country Museum & Archives KelownaMuseums Sncəwips Heritage Museum & Gift Store BC Métis Federation British Columbia Historical Federation KSAN (Kelowna South Central Association of Neighbourhoods).

04/06/2025

Free Pruning Workshop with Okanagan Master Gardeners April 9th 4:30-5:30 at Benvoulin Heritage site Kelowna. ,,,,,,.ubco,.ubco,,,,,,

03/06/2025

Very appropriate- thanks for the share Kelowna 👌

With the Brier in town we thought this vintage curling photo would be right "on the button". Love the pioneering spirit and the clever use of frozen log rounds as curling stones!
Titled: Curling on the Kettle
Date: Circa 1930
Location: The Kettle River
Credits: Kettle River Museum, Courtesy of the Gane family

03/02/2025

Thank you to all who supported, volunteered & attended Heritage Week in the Central Okanagan!!! 😊😀

02/19/2025

What a fun opening event to our Heritage Week in the Central Okanagan ! Lots more events all week long, listed on our website!
www.okheritagesociety.com

Feb. 17, 2025

02/18/2025

02/17/2025

MAYOR'S PROCLAMATION
Heritage Week 2025 February 17-23, 2025
WHEREAS each year, National Heritage Week is celebrated across Canada; the City of Kelowna recognizes the importance of protecting and conserving our rich and diverse heritage by proclaiming Heritage Week; and
WHEREAS during Heritage Week, a group of Kelowna organizations highlights the heritage and culture of our beautiful valley with a wide variety of public events to recognize and celebrate the people and places that represent the best of our collective heritage; and
WHEREAS heritage creates and encourages economic activity, job creation and tourism, and our community is enhanced and sustained by its heritage places and spaces; and
WHEREAS Heritage Week recognizes the legacy that is the foundation of our community, connecting our citizens through shared values and creating a place of pride and social well-being; and
WHEREAS "Pastimes for Past Times" is the theme for Heritage Week 2025 and celebrates the many ways people spent their leisure time throughout history, exploring how these activities have contributed to the cultural fabric of today. Details of all the local events can be found at okheritagesociety.com;
THEREFORE I, Tom Dyas, as Mayor of the City of Kelowna, do hereby proclaim February 17 to 23, 2025 as
Heritage Week 2025
In the City of Kelowna, Province of British Columbia

02/10/2025

This year, Heritage Week: Pastimes in Past Times celebrates the many ways people spent their leisure time throughout history, exploring how these activities have contributed to the cultural fabric of today.

From February 17 to 23, 2025, culture and heritage organizations across the province will host events in their community to celebrate Heritage Week. We encourage everyone to attend an event and support our community’s Heritage.
A list of local events and organizations that are participating will be on the COHS Website: https://okheritagesociety.com/heritage-week/

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02/01/2025

From February 17 to 23, 2025, culture and heritage organizations across the province will host events in their community to celebrate Heritage Week. We encourage everyone to attend an event and support our community’s Heritage.
A list of local events and organizations that are participating will be on the COHS Website: https://okheritagesociety.com/heritage-week/

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02/01/2025

01/27/2025

This year, Heritage Week: Pastimes in Past Times celebrates the many ways people spent their leisure time throughout history, exploring how these activities have contributed to the cultural fabric of today.

From February 17 to 23, 2025, culture and heritage organizations across the province will host events in their community to celebrate Heritage Week. We encourage everyone to attend an event and support our community’s Heritage.

A list of local events and organizations that are participating will be on the COHS Website: https://okheritagesociety.com/heritage-week/

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