qMAS Spring 2023 Newsletter

qMAS Quarterly

A quarterly newsletter with updates on museum ongoings and history tidbits!

May is Museum Month

For the month of May the qathet Museum & Archives is celebrating the various heritage institutions that reside within our region. We believe there is a transformational power held within heritage organizations that can assist in bettering our community through change. For the qathet Region, our organization has provided over 50 years of preservation of local history through volunteers and employees. Additionally, we collaborate with other organizations including the Forestry Heritage Society, Henderson House Living Museum, Townsite Heritage Society, Tla’amin Nation and the Texada Heritage Society and Museum to coninue preserving our heritage and provoke a bonded experience through a shared history. Community heritage has the ability to promote a sense of belonging to our society and can provide individuals with a sense of identity

We are working hard to make space to hear all voices from both our region’s historical past and present. We encourage you this month to reflect on how the heritage of the qathet Region may influence your current values and identity.

Asian Heritage Month 2023

The Sing Family

by Carolyn Smith, Visitor Services Assistant

The Sing Family’s introduction to the qathet Region started in the district's earliest days through the travels of Powell River’s pioneer businesseperson, Sam Sing. Moving from Vancouver, Sam Sing arrived in Powell River in 1908 and started serving the community in 1910 with the development of the Sing Lee Building, also referred to as “China Block” Erected in 1909, this building held a restaurant, a boarding house, a general store, and multiple other businesses. During the initial construction of the Powell River Company mill, the Sing Lee Building hosted several hundred men who arrived in Powell River for work. Mr. Sing was the first independent merchant to set up in the District of Powell River Despite discrimination being present across the country and within the district, Sam Sing had become a prominent member within the community and between the 1930s and 1970s, the Sing Brothers (Mr. Sing Senior’s remaining sons) would continue in the role of their father as successful businesspersons.

In 1923, Sing's townsite location was bought out by the Powell River Company and he moved his company to the area now known

as the Shingle Mill, which was located on the east bank of Powell Lake. Sing restarted his business with the development of a new twostory building which hosted a store and restaurant on the ground floor and twenty furnished rooms on the second floor. Additionally, upon movement to the Shingle Mill location the Sing Lee Steam Laundry operation relocated and was now given power, water, and light from the shingle mill operating on the property. (continued)

Sing Lee Company 1967 1 421

By 1936, Sam Sing and the Sing Lee Company developed a modernized two-story building in the south Westview area, creating the second general store under the Company’s name. The new location would be referred to for decades to come as the “Fairway Food Market”. During the 1930s the Sing Lee company was known for producing quality produce with the slogan “Where quality goes hand in hand with economy "

In the year 1937, Sam Sing, the well-known and appreciated community member passed away. After moving from China at the age of 17, Sing had spent the remaining 53 years of his life in Canada. Over 500 citizens paid their respects at his funeral. The Sing Brothers would remain prominent within the community and both Paul and Henry taking over the management of the Sing Lee Company.

The Sing Brothers

In 1918, the remaining of Sam Sing’s children moved from Vancouver to Powell River. His son’s (in chronological order) Henry, Tommy (Thomas), George, Peter and Paul all became prominent members of the Powell River district and within the independent business community. After the passing of Sam Sing Senior, the Sing Brothers continued to develop the Sing Lee Company. The eldest son, Henry Sing taking over as primary manager. In 1942, Henry Sing bought out the Egan’s grocery store in Westview expanding the company to the area of northern residents and bringing the newly named Penny Profit to full operation in

1944. By the late 1940s the Sing Lee Company had three independent stores in the district; Sing Lee Co (Townsite), Fairway Food Market (South Westview), and the Penny Profit Foods (North Westview).

In the 1950s Henry Sing, of the Sing Lee Company passed away suddenly on June 9th at the age of 49. The management of the company was left to Paul Sing who continued to operate the Fairway Food Market and Penny Profit into the 1970s.

Tommy Sing furthered the family’s reputation as businesspersons within the community under his ownership of the Westview Body Shop starting in 1949. Tommy Sing was a prominent member of the community participating in the Rod and Gun Club and the Westview Bowling League. Some referred to him as “Big Trout Tommy” for his continual success in the Rod and Gun Club's annual big trout competition. After Tommy passed away on October 12th of 1970, the Westview Bowling League formed the “Tommy Sing Memorial Trophy” in his honor.

Henry Sing

qMAS' New Assistant Curator: Ava Hansen

In April qMAS welcomed new Assistant Curator Ava Hansen. A little bit about Ava... she grew up in the town of Tofino and moved to Victoria to earn a Bachelor of Arts with a major in art history and visual studies and a minor in history, graduating in 2017. She completed her Professional Specialization Certificate in Visitor and Community Engagement in 2023 and is currently studying Cultural Resource Management through the University of Victoria. Prior to moving to Powell River, Ava and her partner Paul spent three seasons in the Kootenays and Rocky Mountains.

Ava has worked in a variety of institutions including the University of Victoria’s Legacy Art Galleries, the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, and the Tofino Clayoquot Heritage Museum. She also has a background in kayak guiding and nature programming. She is especially passionate about public programming and looks forward developing a relationship with the community of Powell River and those in the qathet Region.

Other areas of particular interest that she brings to her work at the museum and wishes to expand upon are Indigenous history, history of the landscape, and oral histories. An avid hiker and kayaker, she is looking forward to exploring local trails, getting out on the water, and camping this summer.

The Sing Family - Article Sources

"New Steam Laundry", Powell River News Vol.2, April 11, 1929: Page 1.

"Local News", Powell River News Vol. 2, April 11, 1929: Page 4.

Powell River Digester 1941 Edition

"Work Started on New Store", Powell River News Vol. 9, July 30, 1936: Page 1.

"Sam Sing to Be Buried", Powell River News Vol. 10, January 1, 1937: Page 1.

Ava pictured in front of the qathet Museum building and Indigenous Canoe, April 2023

As assistant curators they preserve the collections, develop exhibits, deliver public programs and engage the community.

qMAS' New Assistant Curator: Mary Williams

In April qMAS welcomed new Assistant Curator Mary Williams. A little bit about Mary...

Mary grew up in Brampton, Ontario, and moved to Peterborough, Ontario to attend Trent University for a Bachelor of Arts & Science in ancient history and biological anthropology, and then proceeded to study at Fleming College in its Museum Management & Curatorship program. She is currently doing online courses to obtain a Certificate in Writing for Professionals.

Since 2019, Mary has worked at the Stratford Perth Museum in Stratford, Ontario as a collections assistant, and at Lang Pioneer Village Museum in Keene, Ontario as part of the facilities team. She is particularly interested in being able to bring history to life through exhibits and hands-on experiences.

As a new resident to both Powell River and B.C., Mary is looking forward to exploring along the beaches and visiting the local library. Moving across the country has many ups and downs, and once settled she hopes to really get to know the town.

Memories of the Mill Book Launch

In April the qathet Museum & Archives and the Powell River Public Library had a successful launch of Memories of the Mill: A Memoir Anthology We would like to thank everyone who had attended the event. We would also like to thank the First Credit Union for supporting the creation of this book and all contributors who shared their memories and photographs. This publication will provide a glimpse of what working at the Powell River Mill was like for future generations and acknowledges the influence the mill had on the development of Powell River.

To purchase a limited edition copy of the book stop by qathet Museum & Archives Tuesday through Saturday between 10:00am to 3:00pm All proceeds from the sale of this book go to support the qathet Museum and Archives Society and its work preserving and presenting the history and heritage of the communities of the qathet Regional District. Price: $35.00 each

Mary pictured in front of the qathet Museum building and Indigenous Canoe, April 2023

Museums, Sustainability & Well-Being

by Carolyn Smith, Visitor Services Assistant

When one thinks about museums as an institution, the terms “sustainability” and “well-being” are unlikely to be the first words to pop into one's head. Many would think of the words "history", "artifacts", or "exhibits". However, contrary to the mainstream idea that museums are solely available to give us a glimpse into another time, these institutions and other heritage organizations have the potential to contribute to current social, economic, and environmental goals within one’s community. For the month of May, qathet Museums & Archives has dedicated time to promote the heritage institutions of the region for the celebration of B.C.'s Museum Week and International Museum Day. To participate in events taking place across the globe, the qathet Museum is following the theme provided by the

International Council of Museums (ICOM), “Museums, Sustainability, and Well-Being”. We at the qathet Museum & Archives intend to showcase how heritage organizations can change communities and assist in sustainable development The ICOM publicly stated on their website, “There are many ways in which museums can contribute to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals: from supporting climate action and fostering inclusivity, to tackling social isolation and improving mental health”.

We call upon our community members to reflect on the qathet Museum & Archives' potential to assist the district in its goals to create a more economically, environmentally, and socially sustained region and the promotion and preservation of cultural and

Museums, Sustainability & Well-Being

natural diversity is important to museums on both a global scale and at a local level. They provide a space for both tangible and intangible testimonies of our history to be protected. Additionally, an important aspect of the qathet Museum’s work is the promotion of learning, dialogue, socialization, and sustainable development. We offer a space for community members to access resources and understand the value of our regions’ natural and cultural heritage.

Today, museums have the potential to help address contemporary societal issues that are important to their region by responding and tracking both current and historical developments such as: globalization, diversity, gender equality, decolonization, and climate change. Through recent developments, our institution is working hard behind the scenes to make changes at all levels of the organization to respond to the current needs of the qathet community We are looking to diversify the way history is presented to further the understanding of minority communities and promote the resources available in natural and cultural heritage. The museum offers unique resources to assist in public awareness, community participation, cultural participation, and to support the local economy that includes an archive of historic photographs, public programs and exhibits.

For more information refer to the International Council of Museums https://icom.museum/en/news/internationalmuseum-day-2023-theme/

qMAS | SPRING 2023 | Page 8

President's Message 2023

by Bill Vernon

qathet Museum and Archives Society (qMAS) started 2023 with limited staff and considerable work to do After so much time searching for a Curator/Collections Manager, we, like so many businesses in the world, struggled to find qualified people to fill vacancies. We also lost another employee in February, so our needs were great.

William Adams, our Executive Director (ED) suggested a new plan to recruit and/or replace empty positions from a list of applications for the Curator position. Our ED is an experienced Curator along with his many other museum related attributes. William suggested we hire people that need additional experience and training but, in his estimation, are well able to fill the positions in time. I am pleased to announce the hiring of two dynamic people (Mary Williams and Ava Hansen) that will help qMAS as Assistant Curators fulfill its goal of becoming a world-class museum.

During the past few years, qMAS has accumulated a considerable surplus of unused cash. A substantial percentage ($110,000) of the accumulated surplus will be invested in state-of-theart mobile compressed storage shelving. This shelving will increase our storage space by almost double. Our new employees will gain experience and benefit of working through the entire process, that could take six months to completion, which includes proper packing and temporary off-site storage of the collections. All these changes will allow the museum to change exhibits regularly. Professional museum management necessitates the regular rotation of artifacts to protect their longevity and provide visitors with a fresh experience.

Other changes including a new workshop for staging exhibits, repairing artifacts and temporary storage will contribute to our goal of being a first-class museum.

In addition to the museum’s improvements, we seek to improve the Forestry Museum. We hope to have it open this summer, but work needs to be complete to make it safe, secure, and comfortable for visitors and staff. More to come in later issues as we grow our vision for the Forestry Museum.

It would be remiss to miss thanking our volunteers for their considerable contribution to the museum. They are truly a valuable resource for the museum, and we could not do without their experience, devotion, and loyalty.

We invite area residents to see what we are doing with what they own in our pursuit of excellence at qMAS.

See our Summer 2023 Program Guide for the full list of programs running from May through August! Visit our website or come by the Museum to pick up a copy!

To stay up to date, follow us @qathetMuseum on

NEW PROGRAMS!

With the addition of two new Assistant Curators, the qathet Museum & Archives will be offering a variety of new and updated programs. To find out more information check out our website www.qathetmuseum.ca or follow us on social media.

Mini Curators Summer Program

A museum exhibit by youth, for youth!

Participants will work together with new friends and Museum Curators to create an exciting exhibit on a local topic of their choosing. Over the course of 12 weeks, our Mini-Curators will select artifacts, write labels, and organize a display that tells the story they want to tell The display will be set up in the Museum’s Youth Space for all visitors to appreciate. It will remain in place until 2024.