Revelstoke Museum & Archives celebrates lift-off with community-backed accessibility project

The community came out in full force to celebrate the official lift-off of Revelstoke Museum & Archives’ (RMA) newly-constructed accessibility lift Thursday, July 31. 

With over 50 attendees filling the main floor including city council members, regional representatives and key donors, a community that has been behind the project since day one was on display.

“It really does take a village to raise visitors from the parking lot to the second floor,” Cathy English, RMA curator told guests. “And thanks to our incredible village we did it together. Thank you.”

RMA was able to pull a wide array of support together to fund the project, with over $740,000 raised. More than $110,000 came from local businesses, organizations and community donations.

“It was really important that we go to the community and ask for help, because I wanted the community to feel that it was their project too,” English told Revelstoke Mountaineer.

Steven Hui, donation organizer pointed out that the $110,000 in community donations averaged out to roughly $10 per person if divided amongst Revelstoke’s community.

“Every little bit this community gave made this all possible,” Hui said.

In his speech to the crowd, Mayor Gary Sulz highlighted the dedication English brought to the project, working for over a decade to make all floors of the RMA accessible to everyone.

“She had a vision, and look at what we got,” Sulz said, taking a moment to also thank the generations of residents who supported the museum over the years. He expressed his gratitude in seeing community members unhindered in access to the entire museum.

“The best solutions come from the people who live here. This is Revelstoke’s project,” Amanda Murphy, Columbia Basin Trust Northwest Basin community liaison said when asked to speak on the $90,000 donation the trust provided to increase access throughout the museum.

Along with the lift, RMA has worked to increase accessibility for all patrons by adding audio tours of the exhibits, building an accessible washroom on the second floor, supplying sensory kits with noise dampening headphones and fidget items, providing an accessible picnic bench in the Heritage Garden and more. For English, it’s key to diversifying the stories RMA creates space for.

“When this building was built nobody thought about accessibility, nobody thought about inclusivity. Nowadays we can’t not think about it,” English told said.

When it comes to advice for others looking to work on older or inaccessible buildings in Revelstoke to increase accessibility, English recommends finding community partners and support early on.

“Find who owns your building, who has a stake in it and then find funding.”