About the Vernon Museum and Archives

History of MAV

The Museum & Archives of Vernon traces its roots to three individuals: Charles Edward Haines, David Howrie Sr., and W.C. Pound. The latter was a taxidermist who bequeathed his collection to the City of Vernon, catalyzing the museum’s inception.

Initially housed in a local high school’s back room in 1950, it moved to the former police station in 1956 and to a new civic complex building in 1966.

A bylaw in 1970 formalized the establishment of the Museum and Archives’ Board of Directors and, in 2016, the organization was incorporated as a not-for-profit.

Dedicated to collecting, preserving, exhibiting, and interpreting the Greater Vernon area’s artifacts and history, the institution continues to enrich the community’s cultural landscape.

Meet The Staff

Administration

Steven Jenkins, Executive Director
250-550-3140
steve.jenkins@vernonmuseum.ca

Steve is excited to be joining the enthusiastic team at the Greater Vernon Museum and Archives. An experienced leader with 35 Years in the Telecommunications industry, Steve brings a wealth of experiences including Marketing, Sales and Operations. Steve has held numerous Board roles in the Not-for-profit sector including the Kelowna General Hospital Foundation, Okanagan College Foundation, BC Games Society and the Cops for Kids Charitable Foundation. In 2011, he was the co-founder of the TELUS Thompson Okanagan Community Board.

An outdoor enthusiast with a passion for world travel, Steve has developed an appreciation for history, architecture and culture as part of his life-long learning journey. He looks forward to supporting the Museum and Archives Team, the volunteers and board as well as embracing the new Cultural Center.

Lisa Ramsey, Museum Manager
250-550-3150
lisa.ramsey@vernonmuseum.ca

Lisa’s experience in administration in both post-secondary education and small businesses make her the ideal operations manager for our dynamic community museum. As an avid sports enthusiast, coach, and referee, she is a true “team player,” and Lisa’s enthusiasm and energy are a huge asset to the organization’s development.

 

Facility

Renee Rousseau, Ambassador
250-550-3140
renee.rousseau@vernonmuseum.ca

Renee (she/her) is a motivated college student whose aspirations have no limits. She is fascinated with military history, radioactivity and many more subjects. She plans to seek higher education for a history-focused career path.

 

Archives

Gwyneth Evans, Archives Manager
250-550-3146
gwyn.evans@vernonmuseum.ca

Gwyn (she/her) is thrilled to be working alongside, and learning from, archivist Barbara Bell and Digital Archivist Marisa Parker-Hinz. She began at the MAV as a collection intern in 2018, after graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Honours History from UBC, and has grown through a variety of positions and opportunities. She is happy to be devoting her time and energy to preserving Vernon’s stories in this new role, while also completing a part-time Masters of Library and Information Studies from the University of Alberta.

Barbara Bell, Senior Archivist
250-550-3144
barbara.bell@vernonmuseum.ca

Barbara has been preserving, recording and championing Vernon’s history for four decades with the MAV. She has a vast depth and breadth of knowledge about North Okanagan and is able to assist researchers in any number of topics with skill and tact.

Marisa Parker-Hinz, Digital Archivist (on leave)
250-550-3140

Marisa has a Master of Archival Studies from UBC and has recently relocated from the Lower Mainland. She brings a wealth of experience from working in such institutions as the Museum of Anthropology, the Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre, and the Residential School History and Dialogue Centre.

 

Collections

Amanda Goodall, Collections Registrar
250-550-3147
amanda.goodall@vernonmuseum.ca

Amanda originally joined the Vernon Museum team in Fall 2023 as Collections and Curatorial Intern, and is very excited to be continuing on in the role of Collections Registrar. Amanda holds a Graduate Certificate in Museum Management and Curatorship from Sir Sandford Fleming College, and prior experience as Collections Archivist at the National Music Centre in Calgary. A new resident to Vernon, she is grateful to live and work in the beautiful Okanagan and support the management of its rich heritage.

 

Programming and Curation

Cassidy Latimer, Curator
250-550-3148
cassidy.latimer@vernonmuseum.ca

Cassidy, a Museum Curator from Toronto, Ontario, brings a wealth of academic and professional experience to BC’s cultural heritage sector. With a Master’s Degree in Museum Studies from the University of Toronto, her expertise encompasses Classical Archaeology, History, and Women’s Studies, further enriched by notable fieldwork experience in Madaba, Jordan.

Dedicated to amplifying marginalized voices, Cassidy is determined to make hidden histories visible through innovative exhibition approaches.

Eager to contribute to the Vernon community, Cassidy aims to preserve local history, forge connections, and enhance cultural vitality. Her passion for storytelling and community engagement is the driving force behind her commitment to creating meaningful museum experiences that resonate with all.

from left to right: Steve – Executive Director, Gwyn – Archives Manager, Renee – Ambassador, Amanda – Collections Registrar, Cassidy – Curator, Barbara – Sr. Archivist, Lisa – Museum Manager, Don – Grant Writer (Missing – Marisa)

Meet the Board

The Greater Vernon Museum and Archives (GVMA) Society is pleased to announce the
appointment of the new Board of Directors following the Society’s Annual General
Meeting on June 11, 2024. This brings the number of board members to eight.

  • President – Adrianna Stange
  • Vice-President – Samantha Panter
  • Secretary – vacant
  • Treasurer – Gary Rennick
  • Past-President – Maria Brunskill
  • Members at large:
    • Truman Spring
    • Sheldon Louis
    • Stephanie Holmes

“Our newest board member Stephanie Holmes has deep entrepreneurial and Human
Resource experience and will bring great perspective and enthusiasm to our board” said
Museum and Archives of Vernon Executive Director. Steve Jenkins.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve our members and community in this new
capacity” said incoming Board President Adrianna Stange, “this is an exciting time for
our society and I’m looking forward to furthering the work put in by our past and current
board members, volunteers, and staff.

About the GVMA Society:
The GVMA Society’s mission is to preserve and present authentic artifacts and archival
records of local, cultural and natural history significance that recognize the past and
reflect a current relevance to Greater Vernon’s community and visitors.