57 Van Horne St S
Cranbrook, BC

The Cranbrook History Centre is a museum and archives dedicated to the research, preservation, and restoration of heritage pertaining to the history of Cranbrook and the surrounding area. Located in beautiful downtown Cranbrook, the History Centre offers something of interest for visitors of all ages.

57 Van Horne St S
Cranbrook, BC

The largest exhibition at the Cranbrook History Centre is a collection of 28 railway cars of which 13 are currently available to the public. Highlights of the collection include the 7 cars of the 1929 “Trans-Canada Limited” (a classic “Jazz Era Art Deco” design), 2 cars of the 1907 “Soo-Spokane Train” (a deluxe example of “Edwardian Art Nouveau Elegance”), and the 1927 executive night car “Strathcona” which has housed many VIP guests during its time in service, including Queen Elizabeth II, John & Jackie Kennedy and Sir Winston Churchill. These remarkable rail travel cars, comprise one of the largest collections in North America, and are in a continued state of restoration. Because of the fragile nature of this irreplaceable collection, our immediate priority is to provide a permanent covered roof to ensure these ‘deluxe hotels on wheels’ are preserved for future visitors and historians alike. See the Train Preservation Project page for more information.

57 Van Horne St S
Cranbrook, BC

The Cranbrook History Centre is a museum and archives dedicated to the research, preservation, and restoration of heritage pertaining to the history of Cranbrook and the surrounding area. Located in beautiful downtown Cranbrook, the History Centre offers something of interest for visitors of all ages.

57 Van Horne St S
Cranbrook, BC

57 Van Horne St S
Cranbrook, BC

The Soo-Spokane (1907-1914) was an international train running from Minneapolis, Minnesota and Spokane, Washington through Canada on the Crowsnest Pass. The three wooden railcar lineup features delicate stained glass and woodwork from the early 1900s. Learn about the tour of the Soo-Spokane and more.

57 Van Horne St S
Cranbrook, BC

The model railway is nothing short of spectacular. With the press of a button, you can start the engines on a train that travels a length of 64 feet through a Kootenay mountain pass that extends to ceiling height.

57 Van Horne St S
Cranbrook, BC

The Royal Alexandra, a rare example of Edwardian architecture amongst the CP hotels, was considered the social centerpiece of Winnipeg for nearly sixty years before its closure in 1967. Four years later it was demolished with only the Grand Cafe of the hotel, carefully disassembled into hundreds of pieces and stored in a semi-trailer, surviving. For the next 25 years, these pieces remained in storage until acquired by the Cranbrook History Centre in 1999. After being moved to the current site in Cranbrook, restoration and construction of a new exterior shell began. By 2004, with the support of millennium grants and public contributions, the rebuilding of the Royal Alexandra Hall was complete and the facility was opened to the public for both public viewing and special events. Widely considered the most elegant public venue in southeastern British Columbia, the Royal Alexandra Hall seats over 200 people and features an adjacent catering kitchen.