1

Christmas at the Jackson Ranch
Circa 1925
The Kettle River Valley

Credits:
Kettle River Museum
Donated by Nora Eveleth, 1979

2

"Before radio and distant entertainment were at hand to be enjoyed, all moments of leisure had to be filled by the originality of the people themselves. Gatherings at neighbours' places, with the playing of games such as charades, Shakespeare readings, card games, such as whist, five hundred and many other card games were popular.

Other forms of evening fun would be the enjoyment of singsongs, with renditions of the countries from which the singers hailed, from many corners of the globe. While the singers were recovering their wind, the hostess would have anticipated the need to keep up their strength. Mounds of homemade bread, dill pickles by the gallon jar and many other foods were brought up from the cellar. These house parties years ago were held at fairly close intervals, and dances at local halls, were seldom more than a few weeks apart.

Most music for the dances was supplied by local musicians, consisting of piano, violin, and drums. These dances were well attended and seldom a person was seated once the music started. We had one step, two step, three step, schottische, Spanish waltz, tag dances, waltzes, square dances, circle dances and many other forms of using energy. Everyone brought food and a well-earned rest at midnight with coffee, sandwiches, and cake was appreciated."

- from "A Harvest of Memories" by Bill Hatton, 1985

3

Mrs. Lander and Mrs. Horridge by the orchard at the Davis place
Circa 1910
Benchlands of the Kettle River Valley

Credits:
Kettle River Museum
Donated by Nora Eveleth, 1978

4

Visiting at the Shaver Ranch
Circa 1910
Benchlands of the Kettle River Valley

Credits:
Kettle River Museum
Donated by Barbara Stokely, 1999

5

Jackson, Bush and McMynn cars have arrived for a picnic on the Kettle
Circa 1915
The Kettle River

Credits:
Kettle River Museum
Donated by Mayneen Olsen, 1977

6

Picnicking on the Kettle, coats are off and piled in the cars
Circa 1915
The Kettle River Valley

Credits:
Kettle River Museum
Donated by Mayneen Olsen, 1977

7

The Bush family in their Overland car
Circa 1918
The Kettle River Valley

Credits:
Kettle River Museum
Donated by Mayneen Olsen, 1977

8

"Winter was also the time for entertainments, dances and basket socials. The ladies brought basket lunches for midnight supper in very elegantly designed and decorated baskets, and the men would try to discover which basket belonged to their favourite girl and the bidding would begin. The proceeds usually went to some charitable cause.

The music for dances at that time was supplied by Mr. and Mrs. James Bush of Midway. They had a small portable organ played by Mrs. Bush, while 'Jimmie' played the "dancin'est" music ever on his violin till the wee small hours. Later, when their daughter Leila was old enough to play the piano, they became the famous 'Bush Orchestra', whose services were in demand far and near. They were Leila on the piano, Jimmie on his violin, Mrs. Bush on the drums and later, Ernie Stewart on his trombone."

- from "Early Days in Rock Creek - Riverside" by Gladys Bell Burlton, Boundary Historical Society 3rd Report, 1960

9

Midway's "Victory Flag"
1917
Midway, BC

Credits:
Kettle River Museum
Donated by Nora Eveleth, 1978

10

"During the First World War we did a great deal of war work, sewing and knitting. Also, we formed a little orchestra called the Rock Creek Orchestra, to promote dances and concerts and raise money for the war effort. Noel Leskey played first violin; George Blackmore, second violin; Bessie Wood on the drums and myself on the piano. After Bessie went away Emery Delisle played the drums for us. It was exhausting work as we often had to travel quite a distance, sometimes not getting home until after daylight, but it was lots of fun and I guess we filled a need at that time."

- from "Early Days in Rock Creek - Riverside" by Gladys Bell Burlton, Boundary Historical Society 3rd Report, 1960

11

Families gather at Kettle Valley
WWI era
Kettle Valley, BC

Credits:
Kettle River Museum
Donated by Mary Rock, 1976

12

A commemorative gathering at the Cenotaph at Ingram Bridge
1924
The Kettle River Valley

Credits:
Kettle River Museum
Donated by Fred Lander, 1977

13

Celebrating the christening of Ted Gane
Circa 1920
Kettle Valley, BC

Credits:
Kettle River Museum
Donated by Mary Rock, 1976

14

Nita Richter and Harold Montague Moll's wedding day
Circa 1920
Midway, BC

Credits:
Kettle River Museum
Donated by William Moll, 1978