Looking for answers? You’ve come to the right place!
The Sooke Region Museum offers various ways you can expand your knowledge on the Sooke Region. If you’re an educator you might want to check out our school programs offered multiple times through the school year.
If you are curious to see what’s in our collection, our research and access to collections page will walk you through our process.
For casual history enjoyers, check out our publications, curator’s corners, or history pages for more in-depth explorations of the Sooke Region’s history.
In 101 Buildings, explore the Sooke Region’s heritage buildings that some of the first settler families lived in, or learn what are some of the Sooke Region’s most prominent heritage buildings and the stories behind them. Learn about the multiple residences of one of Sooke’s first settlers the Muirs – you can also read about Moss Cottage (which currently sits on the museum’s grounds). Included are descriptions of Sooke’s fishtraps, 17 Mile House, Jordan River Powerhouse, Muirside, and more!
One of the Sooke Region’s core traits are our forests. Many early settlers made their living through forestry or sawmills. The Sooke Region, specifically Port Renfrew, is home to the largest Western redcedar in Canada, and one of the largest in the world – the Cheewhat Giant. 4,000 Years explores what makes the Sooke Region suitable for these trees to grow and how the forestry industry impacted our old growth forests.
T’Sou-ke Elder Susan Lazzar Johnson shares her stories in That Was Our Way of Life. Learn about the T’Sou-ke who were are the stewards of the lands and waters of Sooke through Susan’s stories. She shares her ways of harvesting seafood, berries, and cedar for baskets. Susan was known for her basket making, she describes her methods of gathering and preparing cedar and the many warm memories that come with sharing her stories.
If there is one book you should read on the Sooke Region, let it be The Sooke Story. This book is one of the most comprehensive histories of the region. Beginning with First Nations of the Sooke Region all the way the 1980s, the book explores development, industry, economy, and social life in the Region.
In 1990, the town and people of Sooke celebrated the arrival of the first explorers to the region. This book explores the early beginnings of the town and relationships with the T’Sou-ke First Nation. Interwoven throughout are stories of the bicentennial celebrations and the early history.
What makes the Sooke Region a great place to live are the people who live here. Compiled in collaboration with the District of Sooke, this book celebrates the many people who are extraordinary volunteers. Profiles of a Community is the result of a successful Volunteer Recognition Program.
Bringing Water to Victoria explores how Sooke Lake became the water source for Greater Victoria. This book celebrates the feat of engineering that took place to make that happen. Historic flowline pieces and a bake oven sit on the museum’s grounds. Illustrated by many historical photos, you are able to see up close the history for itself.
For the past three decades, Sooke Region Museum’s historian Elida Peers has contributed a weekly story to the Sooke News Mirror. Stories of Sooke is a compilation of all of Elida’s stories over the years. This book is currently for sale in the museum’s gift shop.
Discover Sooke’s fishtrap industry with our film. Learn how they work, who manned them, and see them up close. This film currently only plays at the museum.
Long Before Our Time has interviews with T’Sou-ke Elders and ancestors of early Sooke settlers. Learn about the early beginnings of the town of Sooke and the people behind the stories. This film is currently not available.