Community Treasures
A space for community partners to tell their own stories.
Community Treasures exhibits are an opportunity for community groups, individuals, and cultural organizations from Surrey to showcase their treasures and share their stories with a wider audience.
These exhibits are temporary, and submission based. They serve to increase access to Surrey’s diverse stories and experiences. Visitors get to view items that would normally be unavailable to see elsewhere in the community.
Roots of Resilience: The Law Family Legacy
May 13- August 27
This exhibition tells the story of the Law family through the personal objects and photographs that they have preserved throughout the years. Travel with them through the decades, from Hong Tim’s store in New Westminster to Lum Man and his family farm, here in the heart of Cloverdale.
Past Community Treasures exhibitions
2025
Celebrating Our Ugandan Heritage
January 28-April 27
Step into a world of vibrant culture, stunning landscapes, and rich traditions with our new Community Treasures exhibit, Celebrating Our Ugandan Heritage. This immersive experience invites visitors to explore Uganda—a land of breathtaking beauty and deep cultural roots.
2024
Lahore to London: A Journey of Chardi Kala
This exhibit showcases a selection of objects in the Wanjara Nomad collection, inviting to explore the fusion of past and present, celebrating Sikh Canadians' remarkable journey. The collection includes Rare books, maps, medals, and more.
Y4AC
June 4 - September 8
Discover what 12 years of youth activism in Surrey looks like. Learn about the history of Youth for a Change (Y4AC) and participate in a community weaving.
2023
Connecting Generations: Legacy Project
This exhibit showcases photos and videos that have a deep Surrey connection. What makes this exhibit truly special is that it's not just about the visuals; it's about the personal stories behind them, shared by individuals aged 55+.
Exploring the Art of Textiles in Vietnam's Highlands
This exhibit highlights some traditional techniques and styles of dress found among Vietnam’s many unique cultural communities, through pieces collected by Michael and Kim Howard while conducting extensive field research.
Michael is an anthropologist who was a professor at Simon Fraser University and Kim worked as a dancer and choreographer with Vietnam’s National Theater of Song, Dance, and Music. Together their research includes the fibers employed, the weaving and decorative techniques used, and the styles of dress, including those that were no longer in use or appeared to be on the verge of disappearing.
The history of the Surrey Little Theatre
This exhibition tells the 62-year history of Surrey Little Theatre. Surrey Little Theatre has a colourful and eventful history in the cultural landscape of Surrey.
Founded in 1958, Surrey Little Theatre was a star in the local community and received many awards for their fantastic performances and productions. In 2021, Surrey Little Theatre and Langley Players Drama Club merged into a new group, Langley Little Theatre. The wonderful activities Surrey Little Theatre began 62 years ago have evolved, and will continue into the future.
Duty Honor and Izzat
This stand-alone exhibit tells the story of Punjabi soldiers in the First World War. Presented by the Indus Media Foundation and Steven Purewal.
Today communities across Canada have little knowledge of the role Indians played in World War One and the shared history with their Canadian counterparts. Over 500,000 Indian soldiers fought for the British Empire, more then the Canadian and Australian armies combined.
This traveling display has been shown Museum of Surrey multiple times during Remembrance Month.
2022
Museum of Surrey - Cloverdale Minor Hockey Association 50th Anniversary
This exhibition was created in collaboration with Cloverdale Minor Hockey Association to celebrate their 50th anniversary. Objects on display include photos and memorabilia that highlight the players and achievements of this longstanding organization.
Inspiration X: Dilber Mann
Pop culture collectibles related to the rise of Metro Vancouver video and games industry. It will explore how pop-culture icons inspired and influenced a whole generation (Generation X) to follow their dreams into the gaming and entertainment industry and inspire current gamers young and old to follow their passions
2021
The Real Mandrake the Magician
A highlight on Surrey's own world-renowned magician, mentalist, illusionist, escapologist, ventriloquist and stunt performer. His son Lon teamed up with MOS to pay tribute to his father's compelling story of curiosity and cultural transformation.
20 Years: Surrey’s Heritage Rail
This exhibit celebrated the 20th anniversary of the volunteer-run Fraser Valley Heritage Rail Society. The exhibit includes historic photos, video, models, a replica Cloverdale Station sign and artifacts from two collections.
The Indo-Fijians: Surrey's Pocket of Paradise
Local archaeologist, Rizwaan Abbas, was inspired to tell the story of Indo-Fijian people as he spent time alone with his father while his father lay dying.
2020
Discover Your Story - We Can Help!
Curated by BC Genealogical Society and Cloverdale Library Family History. Stories discovered by family researchers were told with resources for Surrey families so they could build their own family trees.