The Dominion of Canada entered the Great War with Great Britain on August 4, 1914. From then to the end of the war on November 11, 1918, over 1,100 men from the East Kootenay served King and Country. Morrissey, an abandoned coal mining town just thirteen kilometres south-west of Fernie, became the site of an internment camp in late September 1915. Here, over 800 “enemy aliens” were detained in total until the Morrissey internment operations ceased in October 1918. The 290 men initially detained at Morrissey were local Elk Valley residents, many of whom had immigrated to Canada to escape the oppressive rule of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

A detailed account of the Morrissey camp has been presented on a series of banner displays augmented by historical artifacts found at Morrissey during the 2016-2017 archaeological dig; the collection is now available for rental as a travelling exhibit. The public are invited to join us to view the exhibit launch and learn about this dark period in the Elk Valley’s history. Donations to the Museum appreciated.

10AM – 2:30 PM: Exhibit available for viewing – DROP IN.

12PM – 12:30PM: FREE lunch served. All welcome but seating is limited. Pick up FREE tickets in advance from the Fernie Museum or Senior’s Centre.

12:30PM: FREE talk by Lindsay Vallance detailing the history of internment in the Elk Valley.