Home and Hearth

Our next stop is the home-maker display, which provides a look at the beating heart of the home: the kitchen. Mom would cook meals, wash clothes, preserve food, and perhaps help the children do their school work at the kitchen table, by the light of a kerosene lamp. Ironing is featured prominently in this display, as garments did not come in wrinkle free fabrics, and it was necessary to look presentable for school and church.

Such homes formed the vibrant community of early Naramata. If you look into the display cases, you will see how our community thrived. Featured here are elements of play, school, church, and annual celebrations like May Day. Dancing around the Maypole is a tradition that has been carried on in our community since its inception. It is performed by the children of the school. A Maypole sculpture at the school highlights that annual event. Long time residents will tell you that there has never been a performance when the ribbons did not get tangled.