About Us

 The Heritage Society began in the 1980's. After Alexander Zuckerberg’s death in 1961, Zuckerberg Island and its buildings deteriorated for 20 years until it was purchased by the city in 1981. In the spring of 1983 the Castlegar Rotary Club began developing it as a park. They dedicated it in September 1983 and continue to maintain an interest in it. At the end of 1983, the Heritage Advisory Committee was established to restore the buildings and grounds. From this Committee came the Castlegar and District Heritage Society. The Society took responsible for ongoing island maintenance and operations of the Chapel House and grounds. 

In 1987, the Castlegar and District Heritage Society had spent years negotiating for the now-empty CPR station. They persuaded the City of Castlegar to buy it for one dollar in a last minute deal. Then, using a matching grant from the British Columbia Heritage Trust, the Castlegar Council moved the station from its place in wye westward to city property, forty feet from track center. The Society then leased the station for one dollar a year, and with the cooperation of the C.P.R., municipal officials, local service clubs, industry and citizens has operated it as a transportation museum.