A highlight for this month was the grand opening of the Museum held on Saturday September 28 with a Heritage tea with three sittings complete with guests dressed in period costumes. Laura Nelson welcomed everyone and said how excited they were at the beautiful space. She pointed out the silver tea service being used at the head table owned by Claire Wilson that has been in the family for more than a century and thanked the many sponsors that donated so much to making the tea a success.

Lindsay Vallance, Tracey McGuire, Lisa Aasubo, Tanya Laing–Gahr not only greeted guests as they came into the museum they also performed a very enjoyable skit about life in Coal Creek.

The ladies captivated the guests as they had tea with their English accents and conversation from a bygone era and place.

For this special event the most minute details were completed from the period costumes worn by elegant servers Terry and Alana Tombasso, to the linens, fresh flower centerpieces, delicious high tea sandwiches and desserts to the favours, tickets and cards, decorations and photos on the walls, the entire event was most wonderful to attend. Later that afternoon an official unveiling was done of the sponsors and donors with a slide show presentation, exhibit design overview by Steve Kuijt, Mike Pennock, Lee-Anne Walker, and Natalie Fisher. As well an old fashioned Photo Booth by Jamie Hide offered fun photos for everyone.

Next were major donor guest speakers including myself on behalf of the City, MP David Wilks who said that Fernie is the only place in the valley that has historical buildings and that we should preserve as many as possible as those buildings are the history left behind long after people are gone and Nic Milligan of Teck Resources who commented on how beautiful the Museum is and how Teck is pleased to be a part of it.

Master of Ceremonies was performed admirably by Randal Macnair. A cake in the perfect shape of the Museum building was cut and served with lemonade and a delightful trio of gorgeous young ladies sang.

Sponsors for the tea were Freshies, Big Bang Bagels, CP Catering, Bunches, The Green Petal, Beanpod, Fernie Tea and Coffee House, Overwaitea, Carosella, Rocky Mountian Chocolate factory, The Fernie Academy, City of Fernie, Fort Steele Heritage Town, Cameron’s, The Bridge Bistro, Jamie hIde Photography, Claris Media, Teck Resources, IGS value Drug Mart, Sombrowski Family.

A commissioned Donor Recognition Panel designed by Melanie Greenaway and created by Stephanie Rogers using reclaimed glass salvaged from light fixtures was unveiled to the delight of those present.

Thanks need to be expressed to the Historical Society members past and present, incredible volunteers, amazing generous donors and all that worked to make this wonderful building come alive.

What this group did took courage and ingenuity; they showed that even in rough times it is possible to think creatively. With vision and leadership they went for what seemed impossible and were able to inspire others to donate time, money and material towards their dream.

What seemed improbable years before has now become very tangible.

This museum is something that not only tells our history beautifully but also shows how much heart and soul the people of this community had and still hold.