Online Exhibits
Learn about the history of Coquitlam and Mackin House digitally through our collection of online exhibits! Many of our previous exhibits have been converted into these resources, ensuring that our past is not lost as we continue to explore new facets of our shared history.
Want to see a comprehensive list of our past exhibits? If you’re an educator looking to better understand our area’s of expertise, or just curious about the history of Mackin House Museum’s installations, you can find a list at the button below.
ROLL UP - ROLLER DERBY
Coquitlam Sports Hall of Fame
Jul 15, 2024 - Ongoing
This dynamic display spotlights the Terminal City Roller Girls (now Terminal City Roller Derby Association), Vancouver’s first Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA) league, founded in 2006. With over 50 members, the team helped pioneer Canada’s roller derby resurgence.
The exhibit breaks down the sport’s fast-paced, full-contact gameplay (no ball or puck required!) and its culture of inclusivity. Roller derby has long been a space for unconventional expressions of gender and identity, welcoming LGBTQ2S+ athletes and diverse body types. Through memorabilia, photography, and player stories, the show captures the athleticism, creativity, and community behind the sport.
Hobbies in Coquitlam
Mackin House May 16 - December 1, 2025
Explore hobbies past and present through our artifacts, community objects, and archival images.
YOUR IMAGE
Place des Arts April 4 - May 22, 2025
This multi-medium art exhibit showcases works by community members that speak to identity, culture, self-expression, and/or the perception of ourselves or others.
Take a virtual tour of the exhibit here:
Coquitlam Heritage: Your Image - Place des Arts Virtual Tour
rOOTS OF K-POP
Mackin House
Sept 9, 2024 - Apr 4, 2025
Celebrating Coquitlam’s vibrant Korean-Canadian community (the second-largest in Canada!), this exhibit traces the evolution of Korean popular music from traditional pansori to the global K-pop phenomenon.
Starting with 1990s pioneers like Seo Taiji and the Boys, the display explores how hip-hop, R&B, and electronic influences merged with Korean musical traditions. The exhibit culminates in a live DJ event on September 28, where KTV Media Production will spin tracks highlighting K-pop’s cultural roots.
The Community Elements Chest
Mackin House MAY 14 - 23, 2024
This powerful exhibit showcases a collaborative art project led by Indigenous artist Nadine Spence, alongside contributions from other local creators. The Community Elements Chest is part of the broader Honouring Our Grandmothers Healing Journey initiative—a multi-year, intergenerational movement uniting Interior Salish, Coast Salish, and neighbouring Indigenous communities connected to the Fraser and Thompson rivers, Pacific coast, and wild salmon ecosystems.
The project seeks to restore cultural connections fractured by colonialism, particularly the lost stories of grandmothers whose legacies were disrupted. Through art and ceremony, it fosters reconciliation between generations, families, and Nations. The exhibit includes workshops where artists discuss the chest’s symbolism and work on its ceremonial carrier, offering visitors a chance to engage with this profound healing process.
RETRO REFLECTIONS: A NOSTALGIC JOURNEY THROUGH 40 YEARS OF COQUITLAM HERITAGE
Mackin House
April 11 - December 20, 2024
Four decades of preserving local history take center stage in this nostalgic anniversary exhibit. Each room in Mackin House explores a different era, from the Society’s early days as a toy museum to its current role as a cultural hub.
Relive the 1980s–90s through mixtapes, video games, and zines; marvel at vintage toys from the collection; and reflect on how heritage programming (like the Feasts of Coquitlam series) has evolved. The exhibit also challenges idealized views of the past, acknowledging that the "good old days" weren’t equally good for all.
*At the time of its opening, this exhibit was featured in each room in Mackin House. As of June 2024, the exhibit will exclusively be featured on the top floor of the museum, while the ground floor has been restored to a period home reflecting life of an upper middle class family in Coquitlam in the 1900s - 1930s.
The Fraser Mills Train Station and Caboose
Heritage Square
June 24 - August 30, 2024
All aboard for a journey into Coquitlam’s railway history! This outdoor exhibit features a restored 1910 Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) station and a 1970s caboose, offering hands-on exploration of the region’s transportation legacy.
The original Fraser Mills Station, built at the King Edward and Brunette Avenue crossing, was a hub for the booming lumber industry and the growing Maillardville community. Discover how the railroad transformed the local economy and landscape, and learn quirky facts about cabooses—from their nautical origins (the Dutch word kabuis) to their many nicknames ("crummy," "doghouse," and "brain box" among them).
Explore our 2022 online exhibits below:
LOOKING BACK: EXPRESSIONS OF HISTORY
Place des Arts
April 5 - May 23, 2024
This captivating exhibition offers a unique artistic perspective on Coquitlam’s rich history, as seen through the eyes of local artists. We invited creators to reflect on significant events, landmarks, and everyday moments that have shaped the community—both past and present. The resulting works capture a diverse range of experiences, from the joy of annual family picnics in Mundy Park to the thrill of tobogganing down the steep hills of Westwood Plateau.
Other pieces explore the emotional complexity of immigration, depicting the challenges and discoveries of newcomers as they navigated unfamiliar streets, found beloved local shops, and built new lives. Sports enthusiasts will appreciate renderings of school team rivalries, while history buffs can admire interpretations of Coquitlam’s architectural evolution. This exhibit is a celebration of shared memories and the artists who bring them to life.
Image Credit: Girl with doll MH-2006-49-1-c
Working the Green Chain: Sikhs, Fraser Mills & The lumber industry
Mackin House
The Ross McLaren Company began sawmill operations on the Fraser River in 1890, beginning a company that was destined for economic ups and downs, several name changes and numerous expansions. Commonly called Fraser Mills, it was also the Canadian Western Lumber Company, and until it closed, the Crown Zellerbach Company. The mill employed labour from all over the world, giving a start to many Sikh and Chinese families who contributed to the settling of Coquitlam, and at one point employed large numbers of French Canadians who settled Maillardville. The mill brought in a multicultural population and also supplied the raw materials for many of the city’s buildings. It is an intrinsic part of Coquitlam’s foundation.
Cricket Generations
Coquitlam Sports Hall of Fame
May 1, 2023 - Feb 29, 2024
Cricket Generations takes a look at the game of Cricket as it was forged in the West Indies and carried on by multiple generations in Mackin Park, Coquitlam.
Cricket - created in India, distributed by colonialism, and perfected in the Caribbean. After its introduction by colonial officers, slaves soon made the sport their own. It represents national pride, showing that after having been segregated and looked down upon for so long, Caribbeans can bat on the world stage as well as any other Cricket playing nation. The Windies cricket club, whose home field is Mackin Park, has been around for many generations. Some arrived as young men from the Caribbean and found a little bit of home in the club, while others joined the junior team to carry on a family tradition. In the West Indies, Cricket is more than just a sport, it is a time to party and celebrate. This is also true for the club in Mackin park, which the game is a community event as well as a great sport.
Get your game on
Mackin House
Jan 29, 2024 - Feb 29, 2024
The exhibition introduces a variety of old and new games, exploring its history and social relevance. As part of the exhibit, we will be offering games for the casual player and tournaments for the more ambitious. Learn how to play Carroms or perhaps teach people new to the game. Feel free to bring your favourite game along - old fashioned board games or the latest video games are all welcome.
Riverview: an artists point of view
Mackin House
Sept 19, 2023 - Jan 15, 2024
Artists Nadine Flagel, Haley Perry, and Camila Szefler approach themes of mental health, physical separation, and the history of the Riverview Hospital through a range of media ranging from illustration, reclaimed textiles and drawing. The artists' works engage with individual Riverview objects within the CHS collection, and the history of Riverview to create a very intimate approach to mental health and the physical space of the hospital.
Image: City of Coquitlam Archives - CA CCOQ C5-S01-SS02-EH.009
Intersectionality and Urban Spaces
Coquitlam Public Library - City Centre Branch
Nov 1 - Nov 30, 2023
Intersectionality is a theory that points to the multiple levels of a person's identity. A person who is of a non-white ethnicity, female, or of a certain age will experience spaces in the city differently for example than a white male. City spaces are not only experienced differently but posed actual threats and drastically restrict movement depending on who you are. This exhibits looks into different perceptions of the urban space.
Image: Patrick Tomasso on Unsplash
Ghost Stories from Around the World
Mackin House
Oct 13, 2023 - Nov 1, 2023
Ghost Stories from Around the World explores the history and intrigue of horror as a genre. This mini exhibition also highlights ghost stories from different cultures around the world and is accompanied by a movie and reading list to get you in the mood for Halloween.
Chinese Immigration Act, 1923
Coquitlam Public Library - City Centre Branch
Sept 1 - 29, 2023
The Chinese Immigration Act was often referred to as the “Chinese Exclusion Act,” its purpose was to restrict all Chinese immigration to Canada by narrowly defining the acceptable categories of Chinese immigrants. Within the Chinese community, this day was referred to as “Humiliation Day” The exhibition will look a the impact this had on the Chinese community.
Theatre in Coquitlam
Coquitlam Public Library - City Centre Branch
May 3 - 31, 2023
Introducing visitors to Coquitlam’s vibrant theatre scene, this exhibit also highlighted the diverse jobs available within the theatre industry.
The Corner Store Project
Place Des Arts
March 31 - May 25, 2023
Corner stores are a staple yet often unsung part of a thriving community. Unlike bigger chain stores, corner stores offer a unique picture of the people it serves. As part of our project, we interviewed several store owners to gather their stories and learn more about the histories of Coquitlam’s corner stores.
Breaking bread
Mackin House
January 28 - June 17, 2023
Bread – it’s simple, delicious, versatile, and ubiquitous. It has a place in almost every cuisine around the world and comes in a seemingly infinite number of formats (think pastries, gluten-free breads, wraps, even beer). Yet we rarely stop to think about how and why bread has a universal home. Visit Breaking Bread to dive into these ideas and look at the cultures, people, paths, and ideas that have been a part of bread’s global rise. Exploring religions, historical events, and unique stories, we help shine light onto how some of our favourite foods found their way into our kitchens and hearts.
Fighting to be There
Location: Mackin House
November 5 - November 19, 2022
Fighting to Be There speaks of the many soldiers with diverse backgrounds, who hoped their military service would bring recognition and integration into society, but in the end, failed to receive this vital support from their country. This online-exhibit addresses the often-flawed treatment veterans received. In their own words, soldiers like First Nation Soldier Dick Patrick, Afro -Canadian soldier Andrew White and Michelle Douglas tell this story.
The Right to be Me
Mackin House
October 18 - November 19, 2022
The Right to Be Me is an informational display about the importance and use of pronouns and intersectionality.
The Fraser Mills Train Station and Caboose
Heritage Square
June 24 - September 5, 2022
The Fraser Mills Station was built in 1910 at the King Edward and Grade crossing. It was one of five stations of the New Westminster Division of the Canadian Pacific Railway. There was a smaller station that preceded this one built in 1890. The mill, population, and landscape changed drastically in those 20 years and this station was a jumping off point for these changes. This is the online portion of our 2022 Train Station exhibit. You can visit the in-person exhibit at our museum!
The word caboose comes from the Dutch word “kabuis,” which was a small room on a ship used for preparing food. When trains were first used, military and marine vocabulary was adopted for this new technology. Over the years, cabooses acquired many nicknames. Some of these are crummy, hack, shack, done shaker, cabin or cabin car, van, hearse, buggy, brain box, sun parlour, chariot, throne room, clown wagons, way cars, doghouse, or lookout. This is the online portion of our 2022 Caboose exhibit.
Extractions: Resources through an Artistic Lens
Place des Arts
April 1 - May 19, 2022
This exhibit reflected on the abundance of natural resources in British Columbia that have inspired artists for millennia. Some artists have extracted from nature to create art, while others use art to comment on these extractions. While artists often capture the beauty and grandeur of the landscape, the artworks in Extractions highlight our use and abuse of land-based resources, such as mineral extraction, logging and aquatic and land farming, today and historically. This exhibit was funded by Metro Vancouver's Regional Cultural Cultural Projects Grants Program.
Culture, Cooking, and Coquitlam
Coquitlam Public Library Poirier
March 1 - 31, 2022
How we experience food influences us in several ways, from our traditions and eating practices, to the stores we visit to buy ingredients. Culture, Cooking, and Coquitlam explored how food connects our community. This exhibit focused on the experiences of immigrants and how they had to adapt in Canada, as well as an overall view on food culture in the world. This Exhibit was researched and presented by Coquitlam high school student, Sophia Kishi. Coquitlam Heritage’s Youth IBPOC/2SLGBTQ+ Exhibit Mentorship Program, was funded by the Province of British Columbia.
Black Women Rock!
Coquitlam Poirier Library
February 1-28, 2022
Black Women Rock! investigated some of the accomplishments of local Black women. This exhibit juxtaposed past and present to see the diverse paths Black women have taken. There is much that we can all learn from these amazing women! This exhibit was researched and presented by Coquitlam high school student, Tasia Valencia. Coquitlam Heritage’s Youth IBPOC/2SLGBTQ+ Exhibit Mentorship Program, was funded by the Province of British Columbia.
Beyond Fishing
Coquitlam Sports Hall of Fame
November 15, 2021 - April 13, 2022
Fishing has been practiced in the Coquitlam area for centuries.. ‘Beyond Fishing’ looked at the past and at the many initiatives that have been taken to improve conditions for fish habitats and future fishing.
Coquitlam’s Heart of Gold
Mackin House
September 17 2021 - June 10, 2022
This is an online exhibit of our 2021-22 House Exhibit. The 1858 Fraser River Gold Rush, the 1862 Cariboo Gold Rush, and the Klondike Gold Rush of 1899, drew thousands of people to British Columbia. Not all of those who came planned to prospect. Many made a lucrative living from subsidiary enterprises such as furnishing supplies and transport, and by providing the necessities for everyday living. When the gold rushes ended, many of these seekers remained in the province and helped to create communities like the Coquitlam we know today.
38th Parallel: The Korean War
Coquitlam City Centre Library
May 3 - 31, 2021
38th Parallel: The Korean War commemorates the 70th Anniversary of the Korean War and explores key players of the war as well as accounts from veterans living in Coquitlam.
From Pro-Rec to Professional: The Surprising History of Gymnastics in Coquitlam
Coquitlam Sports Hall of Fame
April 7 - November 15, 2021
From Pro-Rec to Professional: The Surprising History of Gymnastics in Coquitlam takes a look at gymnastics in Coquitlam over the years. The exhibit explores gymnastics’ origins, its popularity in Coquitlam and highlights local clubs and community members like Don Cunnings who helped the sport grow and get established in the city.
Upcycling: Back to Basics
Coquitlam Poirier Library
April 1 - 30, 2021
The Make Do and Mend campaign was one of the most important ways that someone on the Home Front could support the front lines during World War II. People learned to reuse and repurpose items around their homes so that new materials could be used in the war effort. This exhibit will show the similarities and differences between wartime austerity and the green movement of today where people reuse, recycle and upcycle, this time in the war to combat climate change.
We’ve Been Here a Long Time
February 23, 2021
Following our online exhibit about BC’s Black History, We’ve Been Here All Along, Coquitlam Heritage presents Part II, We’ve Been Here a Long Time to look at our local Black community members through the lenses of politics, family ties, and contributions to our community.
The exhibit will explore the routes some of these people took to arrive in Coquitlam, why they came, and what they do here. We will share interviews, recipes, and videos to put the spotlight on the local Black community.
Come meet your neighbours!
We’ve Been Here All Along
February 23, 2021
Traditionally, history in the western world has been recorded by the dominant European settler population. This has left huge gaps in stories, artifacts, and details surrounding the rest of the settler population and, of course, of the Indigenous communities as well. It is wrong to assume that an absence of formal recorded history points to a lack of significant contributions, however. In fact, every community adds important elements to every region of BC and Canada.
We’ve Been Here All Along is an online exhibit that recognizes a selection of stories and contributions from historic and contemporary Black communities, their achievements, and their struggles. It has been compiled through the generosity of those families and individuals who hold these histories safe.
Working the Green Chain: Sikhs, Fraser Mills & The lumber industry
Coquitlam City Centre Library
July 2 - 30, 2021
The Ross McLaren Company began sawmill operations on the Fraser River in 1890, beginning a company that was destined for economic ups and downs, several name changes and numerous expansions. Commonly called Fraser Mills, it was also the Canadian Western Lumber Company, and until it closed, the Crown Zellerbach Company. The mill employed labour from all over the world, giving a start to many Sikh and Chinese families who contributed to the settling of Coquitlam, and at one point employed large numbers of French Canadians who settled Maillardville. The mill brought in a multicultural population and also supplied the raw materials for many of the city’s buildings. It is an intrinsic part of Coquitlam’s foundation.
Mackin House Deconstructed: The Hidden History of Everyday Objects
Mackin House
September 26, 2020 - June 18, 2021
Mackin House, like most homes, is filled with ordinary objects. Some are old, some are new, but most have a hidden history that is not evident from a casual glance. We take many of these objects for granted, but upon closer inspection they can reveal fascinating stories that can take us around the world. They are a window into scientific and socio-economic history. Our exhibit looked at a few of these items and got you thinking differently about the ordinary things you use everyday.
The Uncanny Valley
Online
June, 2020
The Uncanny Valley Hypothesis was first introduced by Masahiro Mori in 1970, as it applied to robotics and Artificial Intelligence, but the hypothesis has often been applied to lifelike dolls. The Uncanny Valley Hypothesis states that as dolls or robots look more human, we feel more attracted to them, until they reach a point when they are too lifelike and then we are repulsed by them. This has been exploited by scary doll movies, and many people find dolls creepy. Mackin House has its very own “Creepy Baby” on display, (pictured above), the doll the school children love to hate.
Civilian Impressions
Place Des Arts
March 2020
Artists interpret the experience of war in Civilian Impressions: Remnants of Conflict. There are many well-known artworks that depict the brutalities of front-line battles and suffering of military personnel, but what of the toll taken on those left at home, displaced, orphaned, or otherwise traumatized? Civilian Impressions is a collection of artworks that illustrate some of these experiences, either lived or viewed second hand. Personal battles are fought both at home and around the world or by family members, friends, and colleagues.
Home Front: World War II
Mackin House
September 2019 - June 2020
World War II took a terrible toll on the men and women who served overseas. While they were risking their lives, a different toll was being taken on those who served their country on the Home Front. Families at home dealt with the dread of losing loved ones in battle, but also with additional challenges. Women needed to go out to work. Shortages of food and materials meant life was more complicated. Pressure was put on all segments of society to support the war effort from home. Coquitlam Heritage will explore these things and more.
Toy Story: Playing Around Coquitlam
Coquitlam Public Library - City Centre
October 2016
Through a close examination of toys we can begin to understand the morals, values, and roles being passed onto children at any point in history. In the early days of Coquitlam, children were taught about hard work and they had to create their own fun. Join us as we explore the toy collection of Coquitlam Heritage.
These toys represent scientific discoveries, historical events, romantic fascinations, and cultural whims present in the world throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. From the handmade to plastic, these toys stimulate our imaginations, engage our skills, mimic adult roles, engage creativity, and provide children with opportunities to experiment with and discover the world around them. They are our history; these toys encompass the amusing, the humorous, the entertaining, the delightful, sometimes offensive, but always educational.