Museum of SurreyCity of Surrey

Knowledge

Social

Artisan

Classes

Family-Friendly

For Kids

Parking

Wheelchair

Indoors

Outdoors

Bucket List

Family Friendly

Engaging for all

Accessibility

Wheelchair friendly

Historic Location

Downtown Cloverdale

Community Focus

Fosters engagement

Indigenous Exhibits

Cultural heritage

Archaeology

Hands-on learning

Description

Explore the vibrant, interactive, and ever-changing Museum of Surrey, a free local venue for wonder, dialogue, and fun for the whole family. Located in Historic Downtown Cloverdale, this museum offers a dynamic experience that fosters community engagement and cultural appreciation. The Museum of Surrey is dedicated to making the visitor experience accessible for everyone. The venue ensures comfort with multiple seating areas, wheelchair accessibility,

Programs & Activities

The Museum of Surrey offers a diverse range of programs catering to children, youth, and adults. Their registered programs include engaging activities such as yoga sessions, an online speaker series on hidden histories, and hands-on weaving classes. For those who prefer a more spontaneous visit, the museum provides free drop-in activities, including a monthly sketching series on the first Thursday and Sensory Sunday on the first Sunday of each month. Additionally, the museum hosts birthday parties for children aged 3 to 10, featuring exciting themes such as trains, dragons & unicorns, Lego, dinosaurs, knights & princesses, pirates, and slimy science.

Permanent Exhibition

Visitors can explore dynamic, living exhibits produced by the se’mya’me (Semiahmoo) First Nation, q̓ʷɑ̓ƛ̓ən̓ (Kwantlen) First Nation, and q̓ic̓əy̓ (Katzie) First Nation. This permanent exhibition showcases the rich cultural heritage and ongoing contributions of these Indigenous communities. The Indigenous Hall is a gathering space for storytelling and exhibitions, governed by First Nations. Exhibitions are displayed with their approval, making it a dynamic, living space that evolves as relationships grow and strengthen.

Textile Centre

The Textile Centre is a unique feature of the Museum of Surrey, celebrating the cultural threads woven throughout Surrey. The centre is named after Honey Hooser, a local weaving expert and mentor. Honey used her craft to help special needs individuals, including injured soldiers after WWII. The Jacquard Loom, a masterpiece brought back by Honey from Europe in the 50s, is a highlight of the centre. This loom, created in France in 1804, used a punch card method to create intricate patterns and was an inspiration for computer hardware.

Museum School Programs

The Museum of Surrey offers engaging programs aligned with provincial curriculum and Surrey’s history. These include:

Archaeology of Ancient Cultures (Grade 7): Learn archaeological practices with hands-on replicas and a simulated Egyptian dig.
Christmas Long Ago (K to 4): Experience early settlers' holiday traditions in an 1870s cabin.
Exploring Canadian Government (Grade 5 to 6): Discover government levels and participate in a class election.
Growing Surrey (Grade 3 to 4): Compare lives of Indigenous peoples, early settlers, and modern life with interactive activities.

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