With Canadian patriotism is on the rise, Parksville Museum is contributing to the collective national pride in a unique way – every evening the carillon bells of the Knox Heritage Church will play a unique rendition of 'O Canada'.
“The museum’s mission is to share the stories of our community,” said Nancy Martin, president of the Parksville & District Historical Society, in a news release. “The original Knox Church is also the origin of the current museum. Having the bells peal the national anthem at 7 p.m. each evening is a symbolic action that pays tribute to everyone who built the Canada we live in today."
It is also a fitting tribute to the determination and hard work of the founders of the Parksville Museum.
In 1975, a group of visionary residents saved the Knox Heritage Church from demolition. After forming the PDHS in 1976, the group secured land from the City of Parksville to create a heritage park. The church was moved to the park in 1983, marking the beginning of the Parksville Museum.
The non-profit PDHS board of directors and other volunteers have continuously operated the museum for over 40 years while tending to the beautifully kept garden landscape and maintaining the collection of historic buildings.
Everyone is welcome to visit the museum grounds any evening at 7 p.m. to hear the church bells play O Canada.
Visitors are invited to make a donation on the museum's tap terminal on site, or via the website: parksvillemuseum.com.
The museum (1245 Island Hwy E) is open for the season, Thursday through Monday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m until Oct. 13.
