Tucked away in Harrison Mills, the Kilby General Store offers a step back in time to the early 1900s. When Thomas and Eliza Kilby opened its doors on August 14th, 1906, the store quickly became the heart of the mill town, serving the needs of mill workers, rail workers, and their families. The bustling community flourished, and the general store was at its center, providing everything from groceries to goods for daily life.
In 1922, their son Acton Kilby took over the store’s operations with his wife, Jessie. Together, they ran the business until 1972, when the Province of British Columbia purchased the site, preserving it as a historic landmark. Acton and Jessie also became the museum’s first curators, ensuring that the store’s original charm and character were maintained. Today, visitors can explore the general store’s main floor, where the original post office and the family’s living space are still on display.
As the last remaining building from a once-thriving mill town, Kilby General Store offers a unique glimpse into early life in rural British Columbia. Whether you’re chatting with the shopkeeper in period costume or meeting the farmhand outside, you’ll feel as though you’ve stepped back in time. The artifacts throughout the museum bring the past to life, offering a rare opportunity to connect with a way of life that once was.
Visitors are invited to slow down and reflect on a simpler time, when life moved at a different pace. Explore the general store, interact with the farm animals, and embrace the pioneering spirit that helped shape this community. The Kilby General Store is more than a museum; it’s a living tribute to British Columbia’s rich history.
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