Okanagan Historical Society

Welcome to the Okanagan Historical Society

This website celebrates the fascinating history of the Okanagan Valley. Its geology includes a chain of extinct volcanoes, glaciated landforms and the oldest rock in British Columbia. Its human history spans over 7,000 years. This valley's history includes First Nations, the fur trade, the gold rush, the cattle industry, and more recently the dairy, fruit and wine industries.

The Okanagan Historical Society (OHS) is one of the oldest societies in British Columbia dedicated to the preservation of local history. Incorporated in 1925, the society published twelve reports with articles about various historical topics and, after the Second World War, has published a report every year. The first volume was a mere thirty pages; the present volume is over 220 pages.

This book and past reports can be purchased at local museums and book stores, from society members and from branches of the society. For further information, or to order a copy of the Report, please contact the Corresponding Secretary.

The Okanagan Historical Society is composed of seven branches that represent semi-autonomous organizations focused on their local communities from Osoyoos to Salmon Arm. These branches have at least two or three meetings each year and host lectures, picnics, tours, and banquets. They are involved in a variety of local history projects. Articles of historical importance to each branch are submitted to the branch editor who vets the essay and passes it onto the editor of Okanagan History.

Each branch is represented on the Executive Council which meets in Kelowna three times a year. The location of the Society's Annual General Meeting in April rotates through each of the branches.

The Executive Council is responsible for maintaining three lots at the old Fairview townsite near Oliver and the Father Pandosy Mission site in Kelowna. Members of the executive council coordinate the ongoing Student Essay Contest, ensure that Okanagan History is indexed annually, and collaborate with other heritage organizations to ensure the preservation of historic trails.

Latest News

The Student Essay Contest sponsored by the Okanagan Historical Society is now open to students currently in Grades 9-12 or any post secondary institution. Deadline for submission is March 1, 2023.

We are pleased to announce that we will hold our Annual General Meeting in-person in 2023. The meeting is scheduled for April 23, 2023, 10 a.m., at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #62, 141 Hudson Avenue, Salmon Arm. Directors will present reports on their activities in the past year and plans for the coming year. A luncheon and guest speaker will follow. All members are invited to attend. Please contact branch president Linda Painchaud for details. Find out more details here.

Okanagan History, the 86th Report, is now available. It includes two excellent articles written by our student essay winners as well as stories and biographies from the Okanagan, Shuswap and Similkameen valleys in B.C.

Okanagan Historical Society

Purchase the latest ANNUAL REPORT