ORIGINS:

The Doukhobor Village Museum was created by the Kootenay Doukhobor Historical Society which was formed as a result of a Selkirk College Faculty Association meeting @ 1966.

John Mansbridge and Anna Gattinger began contacting the towns in the West Kootenays for support. Ed Mosby, Castlegar City Councillor and Mayor Little of Kinnaird were early supporters. From its inception, the idea of a Doukhobor Village Museum was community based and a Castlegar and Kinnaird initiative.

DEVELOPMENTS:

By 1968, the KOOTENAY DOUKHOBOR HISTORICAL SOCIETY was a reality, by 1971 construction of the Village began as a BC Centennial Project for the towns of Castlegar and Kinnaird. The reconstruction of an authentic Doukhobor Village was accomplished through significant volunteer labour and through local donations as well as Provincial and Federal grants, including operating grants from the City of Castlegar. At that time, the property was crown-owned, and then ceded on September 24, 1986 to RDCK for 'CULTURAL AND EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES'

Since 1971, development continued following an original plan drawn by RDCK planners which included the present sites, an eating facility and a future market building. Throughout this time the KDHS accumulated over 1,000 artifacts and created a unique tourist destination not only for North America but for the world as a window to the vibrant Doukhobor culture of Canada as well as its links to its Russian ancestry.

In 1995, the KDHS obtained an INFRASTRUCTURE GRANT which provided a modern water system and a basic completion of the VILLAGE plans in an attempt to become self-sufficient and to continue to provide a community, educational and tourist resource at the smallest cost to the local residents and international tourists.

In 1997, the City of Castlegar formulated plans to include the Doukhobor Village within its boundaries, while the day to day operation continues to be the responsibility of THE KOOTENAY DOUKHOBOR HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

Long term plans include the concept of a living museum, basic tourist facilities and a cultural and environmental link to other Doukhobor related attractions in the area.