The Cranbrook Archives, Museum, and Landmark Society

The Cranbrook Archives, Museum, and Landmark Society (CAMAL), officially registered under the business number 125105825RR0001, is a Canadian nonprofit organization dedicated to the research, preservation, restoration, and promotion of heritage related to Cranbrook, British Columbia, and the Canadian Pacific Railway.

History and Mandate

Established on Heritage Day in 1976 by a group of heritage-conscious citizens, the organization was originally known as the Cranbrook Archives, Museum and Landmark Foundation. Its founding vision was to collect and safeguard artifacts and archival records significant to the Cranbrook area and rail travel in Canada. The Foundation initially established the Cranbrook Railway Museum in 1976, which was renamed the Canadian Museum of Rail Travel in 1993, and then became the Cranbrook History Centre in 2015 to better reflect its expanded role and collections[2][4].

The Society’s core mandate is to research, preserve, and restore the heritage of Cranbrook and the broader East Kootenay region, with a particular focus on the history of the Canadian Pacific Railway, a pivotal element in the region’s development[2][4].

Cranbrook History Centre

The Cranbrook History Centre, operated by the Society, is housed in the original 1898 Cranbrook Freight Shed. It features a range of exhibits that honor the history and culture of the East Kootenay region including First Nations histories, early settler artifacts, and regional wildlife. The Centre contains several galleries such as:

• Cranbrook History Gallery: Showcasing local history and folklore, natural history, palaeontology, and Ktunaxa First Nation traditions.
• East Kootenay Paleontology Gallery: This gallery includes an extensive fossil collection from the Fort Steele and Burgess Shale areas, highlighting significant paleontological discoveries in the region[3].

The Cranbrook History Centre also houses the Canadian Museum of Rail Travel, which holds the largest collection of rail travel cars in North America dating from the early 1900s. A notable feature of the Centre is the Royal Alexandra Hall, originally constructed in Winnipeg and reassembled in Cranbrook in 2004, providing space for gatherings and events[4].

Operations and Collaborations

In January 2025, the Society was announced as the new operator of Fort Steele Heritage Town, a provincial and national historic site located near Cranbrook. The site features more than 60 original or accurately reconstructed buildings from the 1890s and offers visitors immersive cultural experiences including gold panning, stagecoach rides, and heritage trade demonstrations. CAMAL plans to develop dynamic and interactive programming at Fort Steele, emphasizing both community traditions and historical education. The Society is also committed to partnering with local First Nations to collaboratively enhance exhibits and programs that reflect Indigenous histories and cultures, thereby enriching the visitor experience and honoring the region’s diverse heritage[1][5].

Significance

The Cranbrook Archives, Museum, and Landmark Society plays a vital role in preserving the cultural and historical identity of Cranbrook and the surrounding East Kootenay region. Through its stewardship of the Cranbrook History Centre and Fort Steele Heritage Town, it provides educational resources, preserves regional heritage, and promotes understanding of the social, cultural, and technological development associated with the area and Canadian Pacific Railway history.

The Society continues to serve as a key custodian of heritage in British Columbia, engaging the public with both permanent collections and dynamic historic sites that animate the past for present and future generations.