Historic O'Keefe Ranch

The Historic O'Keefe Ranch is an historic site consisting of ten historic pre-1900 buildings, two reconstructed historic buildings, and two modern buildings (Visitor Building and Museum Building). The heritage buildings include the original O'Keefe family log home (1876), the O'Keefe family mansion (1886), St. Anne's Church (1889), the Red Shed (ca. 1875), the Carriage Shed (ca. 1890), the Chinese Cooks' House, the Log Barn (ca. 1890), and implement sheds and barns. The General Store and Blacksmith Shop have been reconstructed and the Schubert House (1892) and Balmoral School (1912) have been moved onto the site. The Museum building contains extensive displays on ranching in the B.C. interior, a lifestyles gallery, an audio visual room, and an archives. The North Okanagan Model Railway Association display is located upstairs in the museum. The Visitor Building contains the offices, a licensed restaurant and a gift shop.

About the Collections

Extensive collection of O'Keefe family artifacts,documents, photographs, etc. from 1867 to the present; European porcelain (Meissen porcelain), general store collectibles; Canadian art; antique farm machinery, etc.

Approximate number of objects in the collections: 12,000

Archives

O'Keefe family documents, photographs and records.
Large photograph collection, including extensive photo collection from the Okanagan Indian band.

Cartographic Materials • Manuscripts • Microforms • Photographs • Textual Records

Decorative Arts

Costumes • Furniture or Furnishings • Glass • Metalwork, Silverwork or Goldwork • Textiles or Tapestries

Fine Arts

Culture:
Canadian • Aboriginal or First Nations

Media:
Painting • Photography • Prints and Drawings

Human History

Agriculture • Animal Husbandry • Clocks or Time-Keeping Devices • Costumes and Accessories • Furniture or Furnishings • Household Objects or Domestic Technology • Local History • Manuscripts • Maps, Charts, Plans or Blueprints • Musical Instruments • Religious or Liturgical Objects • Transportation : Motorized ground : Non-motorized ground • Weapons • Imaging : Photographs •

Natural Sciences

Plants and Animals (Biological Collections)
Endangered Species • Scientific Specimens • Aquatic Organisms • Botany • Zoology

Services & Activities

Research Services

Archival Records

Educational Programs

Classes or Workshops • Demonstrations • School Programs : Age 0-4 (Pre-School) : Age 5-11 (k-6) : Age 12-17 (7-13)(Quebec: Secondary 1-CEGEP) : Age 18 and up (Post-Secondary) • Seniors Programs

Visitor Services

Bilingual Services • Guided Tours : English : French • Information Centre or Desk • Parking Facilities : Free • Gift shop • Special Needs Facilities : Parking : Signs : Washrooms : Wheelchairs available : Wheelchair access • Washrooms • Audio Guides • Children's Activities or Services
Other Guided Tours: German

Volunteer Services

Volunteer Services Available • Volunteer Training Offered

Number of Volunteers: 40

Activities: Operation of General Store
Grounds Maintenance
Museum Cataloguing/Archival

Member Privileges

Free admission to site; tour rate for guests
Newsletter

Food Services

Cafeteria • Picnic Area • Catering Services • Restaurant

Publications and Products

Publication: 'Home Sweet Home - A History of O'Keefe Ranch 1867 to 1977'

Books • Brochures • Postcards • Posters • T-Shirts or Sweatshirts or Caps • Commemorative Souvenirs • Videos

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