The rebuilt Lytton Chinese History Museum. (Image Credit: Contributed)

By Victor Kaisar

Lytton Rebuilding

Rebuilt Lytton Chinese History Museum officially reopens nearly four years after fire

May 4, 2025 | 1:05 PM

LYTTON, B.C. — The Lytton Chinese History Museum has officially reopened its doors, nearly four years after the previous museum was destroyed by a wildfire.

Museum Executive Director Lorna Fandrich says there were about 140 people who gathered Saturday (May 3) for a grand opening ceremony on Main Street.

“It was a such a fun day for me. So many people came from tourism organizations and Chinese organizations as well as people who had been important to the previous museum who donated artifacts or helped out generally,” Fandrich told CFJC Today.

“We enjoyed just being together.”

Fandrich said she wasn’t sure if she would rebuild the museum as it was underinsured like many other building in the community. But she said she changed her mind after people donated nearly $150,000 as well as a number of artifacts to help her get started.

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“People would call me and say they have family artifacts that they thought should be at the museum,” Fandrich said. “These are artifacts from other communities and museums but in the story they tell, they’re the same as what we had before.”

Construction on the museum began in April last year, and the new building was completed about five months later in September. Another couple months were then spent curating the different exhibits in preparation for an open house last December.

“It was important for the museum to get us started but also its important for the community,” Fandrich said. “The museum is the first business that’s open in town. It’s a very tiny business but it gives, I think, Lyttonites hope that we are moving ahead.”

The overall rebuild in Lytton has been progressing far slower than many would have liked. But its also showing signs of progress with about 18 houses either occupied or soon to be occupied by people who want to call Lytton home.

The village is also moving ahead with a community hub that will include amenities like a pool, gathering spaces, and possibly a library as well.

Fandrich also said there will be a small display at the museum that will showcase around 20 artifacts that survived the Lytton Creek wildfire. About 1,600 different items were destroyed in the fire, Fandrich said.

“We did recover about 200 pieces but only 40 of them were in a reasonable condition. We managed to get 200 because pottery has a higher firing temperature but there was nothing else that was found that could be salvaged,” Fandrich added.

“This display case will include copy and a couple pictures of what I came back to in October after the fire but thats all. While I want the fire to be part of the museum history, I don’t want it to be a big part. The reason I’m here is to tell the story of the Chinese people.”

You can find more information about the Lytton Chinese History Museum online here and on Facebook here.