On September 4, 1925, a meeting was held in the Vernon City Hall to form the Okanagan Historical and Natural History Society. The organizer and visionary behind the meeting was Leonard Norris, who persuaded twenty-two interested people to attend. There were two women present, Maria Brent, whose Indigenous ancestry was acknowledged, and Almira Furniss, who was the one who suggested that a society be formed called the Okanagan Historical Society.
Leonard Norris suggested the addition of “and Natural History” to follow the first part. So it was that a motion was made by Arthur Cochrane and seconded by Almira Furniss, “That a society be formed under the Style and Title of The Okanagan Historical and Natural History Society.” The motion was carried.
Leonard Norris was elected as president and took the chair. He said that he understood that the society was formed for the purpose of historical research and investigating the natural history of the province, and for prehistoric research. From the outset, it was understood that the executive should consist, “of a committee, including representatives from Kelowna (Frank Buckland was mentioned) and other points in the valley.”
From that very first meeting, the following guiding principles have been in place:
The First Annual Report of the Okanagan Historical and Natural History Society was released on September 10, 1926. It had 35 pages and sold for $1. This year, in which the organization celebrates its 100 Anniversary, the Eighty-ninth Report will be published.
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