If you are into history and traveling through Chilliwack, you are in luck. Chilliwack actually has several different museums to explore, each focussing on different aspects of history in the Upper Fraser Valley.
The Chilliwack Museum is located in the historic downtown former Chilliwack City Hall building. This 1912 concrete building was one of the first City Halls in BC and still an imposing structure, in gleaming white. The lower floor houses rotating museum exhibits. The upper floor of the old City Hall houses a contemporary art gallery. The society that runs the Chilliwack Museum and Archives goes back to 1958, so they have had time to amass a pretty extensive collection.
The related Chilliwack Archives, located in Evergreen Hall (at the Landing recreation area just a few blocks from the Museum, near Prospera Centre) is the place where visitors can access historic artifacts and records from the extensive collection. The photograph collection is especially impressive. Make an appointment to avoid disappointment.
Beside the Chilliwack Museum are two interesting objects. In the triangle to the south is one of Chilliwack’s cenotaphs where annual Remembrance Day ceremony’s are held. On the east side is a statute of Piper Richardson, a Chilliwack boy awarded the VC Cross for his gallant action in October 1916. The Victoria Cross is the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
Perhaps lesser known to Chilliwack residents but of interest to a much wider range of visitors is the Canadian Military Education Centre Museum located in the Vedder Crossing part of Chilliwack. The Centre houses an impressive collection of military equipment in a former warehouse on the CFB Chilliwack base.
This video offers a brief introduction to the Canadian Military Education Centre Museum, which is open most weekends. The museum is volunteer operated and not government funded. Entry is by donation.
The Atchelitz Threshermen’s Association is a non-profit society that focuses on farming artifacts. If you love tractors, this museum beside Heritage Park and the Visitor Info Center, is just the place to spend an afternoon.
Officially the purpose of the Atchelitz Threshermen’s Association (ATA) is to encourage the collection, restoration, preservation, operation and exhibition of Steam and Gasoline Stationary Engines, Steam and Gasoline Tractors and Machinery used for farming as well as the development of a working farm museum.
Hours vary by season. During the winter they are only open Saturday or for group appointments. During the summer ATA is open three days a week. Current open times can be found on their website.
For RVers there is a free sani-dump at the shared entrance to ATA/Heritage Park and the Chilliwack travel info center. These facilities are just across the highway from Progress Storage at Lickman Rd
