A Community Of Support: Opening Reception for the New Museum
Last month’s opening reception gave us an opportunity to celebrate and thank those who brought the new Museum to life.
Last month’s opening reception gave us an opportunity to celebrate and thank those who brought the new Museum to life.
From left to right: Sheryl Rivers from Squamish Nation, City of North Vancouver Mayor Linda Buchanan, Tsleil-Waututh Nation Councillor Deanna George, North Vancouver Lonsdale MLA Bowinn Ma, Former Museum Director Robin Inglis, NVMA Commission Chair Dee Dhaliwal, Former Museum Director Nancy Kirkpatrick, and District of North Vancouver Mayor Mike Little cut the ribbon at the opening reception for the Museum of North Vancouver, December 2, 2021. Photo: Alison Boulier
On December 2, 2021, days before the opening of the new Museum of North Vancouver, we were honoured to welcome members of the North Vancouver community to the new Museum for a special reception to celebrate the opening.
It’s taken 50 years, a multitude of meaningful discussions with community members and Indigenous leaders, countless volunteer hours, and painstaking research to amass a collection of more than 9,000 artefacts, but — finally — MONOVA: Museum of North Vancouver is now open in its new home at 115 West Esplanade in The Shipyards and we couldn’t be more excited.
Museum Director Wesley A. Wenhardt, City of North Vancouver Mayor Linda Buchanan and Archivist Dr. Jessica Bushey. Photo: Alison Boulier
Nancy Cottingham-Powell from North Van Arts, North Vancouver Lonsdale MLA Bowinn Ma, MONOVA’s Manager of Business Operations Laurel Lawry and Harriet Goodwin of North Van Arts pose for a photo in the Museum lobby, December 2, 2021. Photo: Alison Boulier
Our opening reception was an opportunity to bring our community of support together and thank them for everything they’ve done to bring this vision to reality.
This includes our municipal partners at the City and District of North Vancouver, Indigenous friends and colleagues at the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh and Səl̓ílwətaɬ Nations, members of the Friends of the NVMA Society and the NVMA Commission, our community partners at North Van Arts, North Vancouver Recreation and Culture, North Vancouver District Public Library, North Vancouver City Library, The Polygon Gallery and many more.
We were also pleased to welcome members of the local business community including representatives from our partners at Polygon Homes Ltd., BMO Financial Group, Neptune Terminals, and G3 Terminals among many others whose support to this project has made the new Museum a reality.
As part of the event, we were delighted to invite a number of our community partners on stage to say a few words. Emceed by Museum Director Wesley A. Wenhardt, the list of presenters included:
Former NVMA Commissioner and member of the Squamish Nation Sheryl Rivers was on hand to provide a traditional welcome. Photo: Alison Boulier
City of North Vancouver Mayor Linda Buchanan and Museum Director Wesley A. Wenhardt unveil a plaque to commemorate the opening of the Museum of North Vancouver, December 2, 2021. Photo: Alison Boulier
District of North Vancouver Mayor Mike Little sharing a few words at the opening reception. Photo: Alison Boulier
The completion of the Museum was not without its challenges. As if all our preparation and planning for the opening of a 16,000-square-foot museum wasn’t enough, a pandemic thrown into the mix could have derailed a less dedicated team, but not the determined staff members and volunteers it took to bring MONOVA to life.
Gatherings like this are an important way to build community and thank people for their tremendous support. And we hope to be able to have more events like this very soon.
Left to right: City of North Vancouver Councillor Don Bell, Councillor Tina Hu, Councillor Angela Girard, Mayor Linda Buchanan, Councillor Holly Back with the new commemorative plaque presented to MONOVA, December 2, 2021. Photo: Alison Boulier
And, with that, the team at MONOVA is ready to acknowledge the past, celebrate the present and look forward to the future with programming, exhibits and community outreach dedicated to North Vancouver and its culturally diverse residents.
The new Museum of North Vancouver joins the Archives of North Vancouver in Lynn Valley under the MONOVA banner. We look forward to welcoming you to both locations again very soon!
North Vancouver’s stories live here.
Our opening reception on December 2 gave us the opportunity to work with the teams of some of our fantastic preferred vendors’ from Cocktails and Canapes on food and service, Bold Event Creative on decor, beer from Streetcar Brewing (it was only fitting), and music from About Town Entertainment.
While COVID-19 is currently limiting our ability to gather, we look forward to welcoming the community into our new venue rental spaces very soon. Our venue rental program is perfect for weddings, corporate meetings, and special events.
Rosie Aceves, our Marketing Coordinator Venue Rentals has over 25 years of experience in hospitality, event planning, and customer service. Her creativity and knowledge in the food and beverage industry will help create unique and personable events, that will spark new memories and stories to tell.
To plan your next event at MONOVA, please contact Rosie at acevesr@monova.ca or 604-990-3700 ext. 8022.
We rely on contributions, monthly or one-time gifts, to help MONOVA safeguard and expand our community’s archival and museum collections, build learning experiences and inspire future generations.
Donations are accepted through the Friends of the North Vancouver Museum & Archives Society, Registered Charity No. 89031 1772 RR0001.
REGULAR HOURS
Wednesday to Sunday
10:00 am to 5:00 pm
115 West Esplanade
North Vancouver, BC V7M 0G7
Tel: 604. 990. 3700 (ext. 8016)
Fax: 604. 987. 5688
REGULAR HOURS
Monday
Drop-in 12:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Tuesday – Friday
By appointment 12:30 pm – 4:30 pm
3203 Institute Road
North Vancouver, BC V7K 3E5
We respectfully acknowledge that MONOVA: Museum and Archives of North Vancouver is located on the traditional lands of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) First Nations, whose ancestors have lived here for countless generations. We are grateful for the opportunity to live, work and learn with them on unceded Coast Salish Territory.