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OUR SOCIETY
The Story of our Historical Society
The Agassiz-Harrison Historical Society was first established in 1979 when a group of people interested in forming a historical society were meeting in Harrison Hot Springs - they named the group the Harrison Lake Historical Society. Shortly after the group moved meetings to Agassiz, where most of the members lived. By 1982 the society incorporated as a non-profit organization and the name was changed to the Agassiz-Harrison Historical Society. In the 1980's the society was given a small space in the District of Kent office where they undertook administration, displayed artefacts and ran a mini museum.
In 1985, to prevent the demolition of the old Agassiz station, the Society purchased the building from CPR for $1.00, with the understanding that it was to be moved off the original site. And so the station was moved to the Experimental Farm where it stayed until 2003.​
This was the time when the District of Kent saw the value in having the Station anchor Pioneer Park, and paid for it to be returned. ​
Today, the Agassiz-Harrison Museum & Visitor Centre sees close to 7000 visitors per year, holds events and programs, and our archives and collections are instrumental in local and regional research projects.
The Agassiz-Harrison Historical Society
1893 - 2025
The Agassiz Pacific Railway Station was Built
1893-1970's
1893 - 1790's
The Agassiz Pacific Railway Station was crucial to the milk and wood industries and served as a passenger hub for Agassiz and Harrison Hot Springs from the 1800s to the mid-1900s. It collected milk from local farmers for transport to Vancouver and hosted the annual Harvest Hop Festival. The 'Agassiz' train connected tourists and produce with Vancouver, making the station a key part of the community. The CPR played also played a vital part in World War I and II. In 1948, a flood devastated the Fraser River Valley, affecting Agassiz from mid-May to mid-June, leading to the cancellation of the Agassiz Fall Fair and Corn Festival that year.
The Agassiz Pacific Railway Station Operations
The Harrison Lake Historical Society was Formed
1979
In the late 1970s, Paul Inkman advertised a meeting at Harrison Memorial Hall, leading to the formation of the Harrison Lake Historical Society. Helen Vaughan became president, and meetings moved to Agassiz to accommodate the majority of members. Initially held in the Centennial room of the Agassiz Municipal Hall, with a strong group of original members and quickly amassed to over eighty society members.
1982
The Society was renamed ‘The Agassiz-Harrison Historical Society’ and a Mini-Museum was opened, showcasing their first exhibit, which was open to the public twice a week, every Friday and Saturday, from 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm. The displays were filled with items donated by the citizens of Kent.
The Historical Society was Renamed: Agassiz-Harrison Historical Society and Debuted it's First Exhibit
The Station Moved to the Research Farm
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1983-1985
Following rumours of the Agassiz Pacific Railway Station was to be demolished, leading to the Agassiz-Harrison Historical Society to gain interest in the building and use it as a museum. Negotiations and planning went on for multiple years before the CPR sold the station to the AHHS for one dollar, with the understanding that the building would be moved to the Agassiz Experimental Farm.
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1986-1987
The Agassiz-Harrison Historical Society Museum opened on May 2, 1986. The Local Motive Giftshop opened a month later, in June. The AHHS Society held their first ever Annual General Meeting, which included the first annual election for the board president. A year after the caboose was donated by CPRail and moved to the museum.
The Museum, and the Local Motive Gift Shop Opened
The Memories Books were Published
1998-2001
The Agassiz-Harrison Historical Society came to the realization that there was a lack of updated local history. This prompted the three year process of writing, curating, and publishing Memories, a two volume book, covering the history of the area and the families that founded Agassiz.
2003
The station was moved back to it’s original place on Pioneer Ave and rotated 180 degrees to face the street and parking lot. Nickel Bros once again safely transported the building and it’s contents.