Museums & Historical Societies

Where History Meets the Next Generation

Every community has a story worth remembering.

This page explores how museums and historical societies can participate in the Community Story Shelf Initiative while celebrating the unique stories, history, and heritage of their communities.

Museums and historical societies help preserve the people, places, traditions, and moments that shaped the communities we call home. They remind us where we came from, inspire curiosity, and help ensure that local history is never forgotten.

The Community Story Shelf Initiative complements that mission by inviting today's families to create new memories while discovering the stories that came before them.

Together, history and storytelling help build stronger, more connected communities.

A Place for Local Stories

A Community Story Shelf can become another welcoming stop for visitors exploring your museum or historical site.

Whether someone has come to learn about local pioneers, agriculture, mining, forestry, transportation, Indigenous history, or community traditions, a story shelf offers one more opportunity to slow down, browse, and enjoy a story before continuing their journey.

It creates another reason for families to visit, linger a little longer, and leave with something meaningful to remember.

Celebrating Local Authors

Many communities are home to talented writers, historians, photographers, artists, and storytellers whose work deserves to be shared.

Participating museums and historical societies may choose to feature books created by local authors alongside carefully selected titles from other participating Community Story Shelves.

As the initiative grows, participating locations may also rotate books from other communities, helping visitors discover stories from across the country—and one day, around the world.

Every shelf becomes both a window into its own community and a doorway to others.

Creating New Memories

Many visitors enjoy taking home something that reminds them of their visit.

Alongside traditional museum gifts and keepsakes, books created by local authors can become lasting keepsakes that continue the experience long after families return home.

A child who discovers a favourite story while visiting your museum may remember that visit for years to come.

Sometimes the smallest souvenirs become the ones we treasure the longest.

Supporting Community Connections

Museums and historical societies have always been places where communities gather to celebrate their heritage.

The Community Story Shelf Initiative extends that spirit by connecting museums with schools, libraries, local authors, businesses, community organizations, and visitors who all believe that stories help bring people together.

Each participating location becomes part of a growing network dedicated to encouraging kindness, curiosity, learning, and community pride.

Together We Preserve More Than History

History tells us where we've been.

Stories help shape where we're going.

By participating in the Community Story Shelf Initiative, museums and historical societies help preserve not only the past, but also inspire the next generation of readers, storytellers, volunteers, and community builders.

Because every community deserves to have its story remembered.

And every new story begins with someone willing to share it.

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