Coldstream’s Family Legacies and Lakeside Heritage Tour

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About

**Tour begins at Sovereign Park (7604 Kidston Road). Please meet at the grassy Picnic Area near the parking lot. Registration required**

Walk through time! Join the Coldstream Lavington Heritage Society on a guided history walk through Coldstream—explore the Bishop Bird Sanctuary, Sovereign Park, and Coldstream’s most celebrated designated heritage site, Mackie Lake House, for a curatorial tour. Discover the stories of the people and the buildings of Coldstream’s early settlers, including Lydia Bishop, the Ormsby family, the Sovereigns, the Kidstons and the residents of the Mackie Lake House.

Optional boxed picnic lunches are $15 per person and are prepared by SpecialTea Occasions and will be served at Mackie Lake House at the end of the tour. Please reserve your picnic lunch no later than one week in advance (by September 25). To reserve your picnic lunch, email [email protected] with the subject line “OHS Tour Lunch.” Include any dietary needs in your email. Our baker can accommodate gluten free and vegetarian diets. Payment can be made via e-transfer before the date of the tour OR on the day of the tour via credit card, debit, or cash. For any questions regarding the picnic lunch, feel free to email the address above.

Organizer

Vernon Branch of the Okanagan Historical Society

The Vernon Branch of the Okanagan Historical Society has recently experienced a revitalization, thanks to the dedication of a small but committed group of volunteers who have breathed new life into its operations. One of the most exciting outcomes of this renewed energy is a revived partnership with the Museum & Archives of Vernon, culminating in two major joint initiatives: a speaker series titled Hometown Histories and an annual fundraising calendar featuring archival images.

The branch holds an annual general meeting each November, which includes approximately 30 minutes of branch news, followed by a guest speaker presentation on a local or historical topic, often accompanied by visuals. Questions and informal conversation continue over coffee and light refreshments. A newsletter is distributed in advance of the meeting, providing details about the speaker and other updates.

In addition to its renewed collaboration with the museum, the Vernon Branch continues to support local heritage initiatives such as the Vernon Heritage Fair, part of the North Okanagan Heritage Fair program. The branch has also maintained ties with the Silver Star Museum, supporting it from its inception with a $1,000 donation and periodic contributions of historical photographs.

You can stay up to date with Vernon Branch activities by following us on Facebook and Instagram, where we regularly share event details, historical content, and project updates.

Partners

Coldstream Lavington Heritage Society coldstreamlavingtonheritagesociety.ca Bishop Wild Bird Sanctuary facebook.com Mackie Lake House Foundation mackiehouse.ca