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Welcome teachers and students! The Kilby Historic Site provides an enjoyable learning experience in an interactive, authentic historic setting–depicting pioneer life in rural British Columbia. Our living history program actively enables student learning with actual artifacts and costumed role players such as a shopkeeper, pioneer wife or farmhand that would have lived in the 1920s, in rural British Columbia. All education programs complement current school curriculum and augment resources used by secondary school classes.

Teachers’ Packages consisting of detailed site information, guidelines and directions are available to teachers prior to your visit for in class lesson and travel preparation assistance.

We require a minimum of 20 students for all school programs and additional experiences listed below.

Our friendly, costumed interpreters will lead a fun and highly interactive program that explores the operation of a 1920s general store and farm in a rural Canadian community. This three-stationed program begins with the unique experience of shopping in the 1920s in our General Store Museum. The farmhand then guides the students around our living history farm, where they learn about rural farm life during BC’s early years. Finally, students are encouraged to use their imagination as they explore the Jr. Merchants Playroom.

Optional Experiences:

Ice Cream Making $4/person

Students have a first-hand experience at making ice cream the old-fashioned way! This fun and interactive demonstration allows students to learn by instruction and participation. The reward for their hard work is a sample of the real ice cream they themselves have made.
(Approx. 30 minutes) Minimum$60

Cider Pressing $4/person

Students see how apples turn into juice on our 100–year old cider press. They can try their hand at pressing the apples and listen to the stories shared as the old cider press is used once again!
(Approx. 30 minutes) Minimum $60

Strolling Through Time $4/person

In this walking tour, students learn about Harrison Mills and the surrounding area’s unique culture. The students will be introduced to our region’s geography and industry. Archival photographs will reveal the need for the extensive dyking system in place today.
(Approx. 30 minutes) Minimum $60

Under the dome of Bloedel Conservatory, students experience the lush tropics and the plants and animals that call the rainforest home. Starting with a scavenger hunt, students journey around the tropics with a guide to learn about adaptations, meet amazing birds, and discover the ways humans use plants from the tropics in their everyday lives. 

In this program, students encounter examples of historical and contemporary Northwest Coast First Nations paintings and are introduced to the innovative Image Recovery Project. Using infrared technology, and raking light to reveal images under dirt or ash, historical painted images are recovered from bentwood boxes, house fronts and other cedar sculptures and objects. The recovery of these images allows First Nations artists and researchers to see the uniqueness and beauty of historical Northwest Coast paintings. A visual presentation paired with a walking tour through the museum galleries highlights the both new and old objects that have extraordinary painted designs. Contemporary bentwood boxes recreated from the infrared photographs of historic boxes are used in a tracing and sketching activity to encourage students to look closely, and appreciate the artists design skills.

This program offers the opportunity to examine two local heritage sites in detail—the train station and the pier—in order to better understand how they came to be sites of significance in White Rock. Students will explore this by interacting with the permanent gallery, and reviewing newspaper articles and historic photographs.

Board Tram Car 1220 and discover how transportation technology transformed Richmond's landscape, influenced the economy and connected communities. Students explore artefats to uncover the diverse stories of the tram passengers. 

Learn about Japanese-Canadian history through a walking tour of Steveston. At the museum, students unpack suitcases of objects and stories, revealing personal experiences of the Internment and post-war years. 

Explore social and political issues around migration and refugees in this new program led by professional artist Toni Latour. Discuss religious and racial discrimination, cultural appropriation, and our histories of migration and immigration as you visit the Vancouver Biennale’s art installation in Vanier Park, Paradise Has Many Gates and examine artefacts at the museum, including the sail from the Greenpeace vessel MV Moby Dick and the model of the ocean liner RMS Empress of Japan. Then respond to the ideas and perspectives you have learned as you participate in a hands-on art workshop. This program is presented in partnership with the Vancouver Biennale.