Honouring Heritage: A New Self-Guided Tour Arrives in Hedley

Amid the scenic charm of the South Okanagan, the town of Hedley invites visitors to discover local heritage beyond the walls of its beloved museum and into the streets and scenic lookouts that have framed more than a century of local life. 

With support from Destination BC’s Visitor Services Experience Enhancement Grant, Hedley launched its new Historic Walking Tour during the Hedley Heritage Museum’s Canada Day celebrations in 2025. Inspired by community storytelling, the project offers a multi-layered, self-guided journey through time, anchored by heritage markers, handmade rest benches, and a curated booklet detailing the town’s evolution from 1898 through the 1940s. 

Project Highlights

Between mid-2024 and summer 2025, the community came together to bring this vision to life:

• Mapping the past: Key historic sites, scenic viewpoints, and streets of significance were selected for inclusion along the route.
• Rest with a view: Four handcrafted log benches invite visitors to take a breather while enjoying views of the mountaintop mine.
• Museum plaques: Each bench includes a Hedley Heritage Museum plaque to designate ownership and ongoing stewardship.
• Community consultation: Residents and local government were actively involved throughout the project to ensure local alignment and support.
• Bringing history to hand: A high-quality booklet features stories, archival photos, and a walking map.
• Marker posts: Signage was installed to interpret key locations along the walking path.

Why it Matters

This self-guided walking tour taps into a growing appetite for authentic, place-based experiences that both educate and inspire. Rather than replacing Hedley’s museum tours, this project complements them, offering an immersive, self-paced experience.

The project also reflects Hedley’s ongoing commitment to heritage stewardship. Community voices were involved from the outset, and Indigenous lands were acknowledged with respect. Early discussions with the Upper Similkameen Indian Band helped guide the tour’s development, and a formal land acknowledgement is included in the booklet.

Impact 

The tour is already resonating with locals and visitors. Long-time residents are rediscovering age-old memories, while out-of-town visitors are gaining new appreciation for Hedley’s history and character. 

The booklet has become both a souvenir and storytelling tool. The walking tour encourages longer visits, repeat travel, and word-of-mouth recommendations. It also offers year-round appeal, from sunny summer strolls to winter walks. 

Learnings

This project brought a number of considerations that offered useful insights along the way. A change in printing company ownership led to some unexpected delays, and rising material costs and tariffs required close attention to the budget. By sourcing materials locally, the team was able to remain within budget and include an additional bench along the trail. These experiences highlighted the value of flexibility, local partnerships, and creative approaches in community-led heritage projects.

What’s Next

With the tour now live and warmly received, the focus shifts to maintenance, storytelling updates, and continued recognition of heritage sites still under restoration—particularly those with Indigenous significance. As Hedley continues to grow, the tour will evolve alongside it, helping keep its stories current.

This project is a powerful reminder that small towns can have a big impact on visitors through storytelling, shared pride, and a respect for the land and the people who shaped it. For Hedley, the journey forward starts by honouring the roads behind.