Golden Museum

Located just one block off of main street, the Golden Museum and Archives features the history of the Canadian Pacific Railway historic Swiss Guides and their families.

On view are pioneer artifacts dating back to 1865, a natural history collection, a log schoolhouse and a 1904 CPR Station under renovation. The museum’s archives include BC Gazettes from 1884-1970.

Take a walk back to the early days of the area when David Thompson a surveyor for the North West Company, arrived in the Columbia Valley to set up a trading post, where he could trade with the native people and continue mapping the surrounding area.

Learn how 42 years later an expedition led by Palliser was sent out by the Imperial Government to locate a feasible route through the mountains to bring settlers into the province and how that journey led to the Kicking Horse River receiving its name.

While meandering through the main gallery, you will learn that until the CPR mainline construction crews came to the area no attempt had been made to settle in this often harsh environment and how Baptist Morigeau, born of a French voyageur and his native wife started a trading post that grew into the community that you see today.

Self-guided walking tours, as well as guided walking tours at set times through the year include: Goldens Residential Past, Historic Downtown Tour and the Cemetery Tour.

The museum has a one floor design, physically accessible.