Honouring the Past.
Celebrating the Present.
Building the Future.

Learn About the Shawnigan Lake Museum Expansion Project >

Volunteer, participate, or donate

To Share the passion for Shawnigan Lake—
past, present and future.

To connect community and visitors with the Shawnigan Lake Experience

Connector: Kinsol Trestle, once rejected, now a resurrected sight to be seen

By Chadd Cawson Bridging the gap Without a doubt Shawnigan Lake's biggest piece of history is the Kinsol Trestle — literally — and...

The Koenigs (aka Kingsley)

Around 1891, George Koenig and his bride, Mary, acquired the former Morton House after owner, Charlie Morton’s death. Sadly, Mary died...

Herman Johansen, Logger

Born: 7 Jan. 1893, Oslo, Norway Died: 3 Dec. 1970, Acacia Lodge, Shawnigan Lake, B.C. Herman Johansen’s life was typical of the many...

June, July 2023

August, September 2023

Post September 14, 2024. Project Impact Update

June, July 2023

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Abandoned, Then Embraced - The Kinsol Trestle

This project, co-authored by Lori Treloar, Shawnigan Lake Museum Executive Director & Kathryn Gagnon, Cowichan Valley Museum Curator,...

The Last Spike: Sir John A Macdonald Visits Shawnigan Lake

BC threatened to secede from Canada unless a railway was built on Vancouver Island. In 1883, the British Columbia Government appealed to...

E.J. Hughes: The World Famous Painter from Shawnigan Lake

E.J. Hughes was born February 17, 1913 in North Vancouver but spent the first nine years of his childhood in Nanaimo. For over 70 years...

What Visitors Say About Us

We had a great visit today! Lots of interactive displays for our 3 and 5 year olds and we enjoyed learning the history of our amazing community!