Experience Cumberland’s interwoven histories through our virtual catalogue of stories, journeys and museum collections.

Cumberland Museum & Archives’ Digital Museum

Museums are about curiosity, asking questions and finding a connection to people, places and shared experiences.

Our purpose in creating the Digital Museum is to expand the diversity of understanding towards the complex relationships of people with overlapping histories and complementing and competing values. We want to share Cumberland’s diverse and complicated histories beyond the geographical boundaries of the Comox Valley and Vancouver Island to provincial, national and international audiences. Our goal is to provide virtual visitors with a multi-dimensional visitor experience, to engage and explore Cumberland’s history through storytelling, fact-finding journey and from within our collections.

Over the next year, we will curate content and develop more interactive narratives for you to explore.

Digital Museum Curation

Curators of history museums are interpreters, listening, learning and searching for answers to questions, planned and unplanned.  They are tasked with the responsibility to ensure voices of the past are heard, that multiple perspectives are presented and that the facts are sourced and cited. The Cumberland Museum & Archives Digital Museum team worked to lay the foundations for visitors to place Cumberland’s history within a wider context while creating connections to the individual people, events and experiences that shaped our communities past and present.

Team Members

Amy Vandal | Digital Curator

Amy has been working in museums for more than a decade. She is fascinated by artifacts and the connection to the past one can feel when learning about them. In her free time, she likes to take care of her collection of living creatures, a cat, chickens, bushes, flowers and vegetables.

Dawn Copeman | Research and Interpretation

Dawn is a researcher, writer, photographer, historian and artist interested in all things Cumberland. She contributes 30+ years of local knowledge to the digital team. Leisure activities include daily walks in the Cumberland forest with her dog, searching for slime molds and other forest oddities.

Luke Earle-Wright | Digital Curator

Luke grew up in the Cairngorms of Scotland. He studied History at University before moving to Vancouver Island. Beyond the walls of the museum, Luke has a passion for the wilderness, spending his time either in the horse saddle, climbing, or sailing.

Rosslyn Shipp | Executive Director

Rosslyn Shipp is dedicated to preserving the rich history of community. Her extensive experience in museum leadership reflects a steadfast commitment to organizational excellence and fostering a deeper understanding of local history and culture. Through her work, she thoughtfully explores the evolving role of museums in contemporary society, championing their place as dynamic spaces for education, connection, and reflection.

Sophia Zhao | Digital Curator

Since university, Sophia has actively curated digital exhibitions in visual art and human history. She is passionate about exploring the depths of creativity and seeking new perspectives to view art and our world. Beyond work, she spends most of her time with her dog and hiking with friends.

Community Partners

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