Government of Canada Recognizes Rossland Miners’ Union Hall as a Place of National Historic Significance
News release
March 6, 2020 Rossland, British Columbia Parks Canada Agency
Today, the Government of Canada commemorated the national historic significance of the Rossland Miners’ Union Hall, through a plaque unveiling ceremony attended by representatives of the City of Rossland and the Rossland Heritage Commission, along with members of the local community.
Built in 1898 as a place to hold union meetings, the Miners’ Union Hall testifies to the local union’s determined battle for miners’ rights in the region.
The Hall was home to Local 38—the first international branch of the Western Federation of Miners and one of the earliest and most influential miners’ organizations in British Columbia. The Western Federation of Miners fought for fair and safe working conditions and helped establish the eight-hour work day for miners in the province in 1899. It also contributed to the passing of the Conciliation Act in 1900, which provided voluntary arbitration of labour disputes and led to the creation of the Canadian Department of Labour.
The Government of Canada is committed to connecting Canadians to significant people, places, and events that have contributed to our country’s diverse heritage. More than 2,000 designations have been made through the commemoration process, which is largely driven by public nominations.
The Government of Canada is inviting young people and their families to explore Parks Canada places, with free admission for youth aged 17 and under, and to learn more about our country’s history – from lighthouses to battlefields, historic neighbourhoods to Indigenous contributions to Canada, there is an amazing array of stories and places to discover.
-30-
Additional multimedia
Quotes
“On behalf of the Government of Canada, I am pleased that the national historic significance of the Miners’ Union Hall in Rossland, British Columbia is being commemorated. The building has a longstanding connection with miners and miners’ rights in the region, as a space built to house union meetings. Historic designations reflect Canada’s rich and diverse history and I encourage all Canadians to learn more about the Miners’ Union Hall and its important contribution to Canada’s heritage”.
The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson,
Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada
“On behalf of the City of Rossland, I am proud to celebrate the commemoration of the Miners’ Union Hall. Our community has worked hard to care for this piece of history and I am very proud of what we have accomplished together. The Miners’ Union Hall began as an important gathering place for the community of Rossland and today we recognize it as an important place for all Canadians.”
Her Worship Kathy Moore,
Mayor of Rossland
Quick facts
-
The Miners’ Union Hall still bears its original inscriptions, including “1898” at the central gable, “Miners Union” at the balcony, and “Miners' Union Hall” over the central door, which speaks to the building’s history.
-
The rehabilitation work carried out over the years has helped to preserve the main characteristics of the building, including the distribution of the interior spaces, its materials, and its main decorative elements. The Miners’ Union Hall is now a multi-purpose building used by the community as a meeting and reception hall, and as a theatre for plays and other artistic performances.
-
Created in 1919, the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada advises the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada regarding the national historic significance of places, people, and events that have marked Canada’s history.
Related products
Associated links
Contacts
Amy Krause
Public Relations and Communications Officer
Banff, Yoho and Kootenay national parks
Parks Canada
amy.krause@canada.ca
Tel: 403-760-4500
Media Relations
Parks Canada Agency
855-862-1812
pc.media@canada.ca
Page details
- Date modified: