ROSSLAND, B.C. – The Government of Canada is hailing the historical significance of the Rossland Miners’ Union Hall in Rossland, B.C.
The hall, built in 1898 as a place to hold union meetings, was the headquarters of Union 38, one of the earliest miners’ organizations in B.C. and the first international branch of the Western Federation of Miners, who helped establish the eight-hour workday for miners in 1899.
“I am pleased that the national historic significance of the Miners’ Union Hall in Rossland, British Columbia is being commemorated. The building has a longstanding connection with miners and miners’ rights in the region, as a space built to house union meetings. Historic designations reflect Canada’s rich and diverse history and I encourage all Canadians to learn more about the Miners’ Union Hall and its important contribution to Canada’s heritage,” said Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada Jonathan Wilkinson in a statement.
Rehabilitation work over the years has preserved the main characteristics of the building, including the distribution of the interior spaces, its materials and its main decorative elements including original inscriptions such as “1898” at the central gable, “Miners Union” at the balcony and “Miners’ Union Hall” over the central door,
“I am proud to celebrate the commemoration of the Miners’ Union Hall. Our community has worked hard to care for this piece of history and I am very proud of what we have accomplished together. The Miners’ Union Hall began as an important gathering place for the community of Rossland and today we recognize it as an important place for all Canadians,” added Rossland Mayor Kathy Moore.
The Miners’ Union Hall currently serves as a meeting and reception hall for the community and as a theatre for plays and other artistic performances.
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