Videos From Our Collection

The Alberni Valley Museum holds a collection of “The Way It Was” and “As It Was” television programs, community cable shows which ran from 1985 to 1998. The late George McKnight hosted the interview format show, listening to stories from a cross-section of local citizens, primarily seniors. He recognized that an understanding of the past is important in facing the future. He captured stories with a particular focus on ‘the worker’, the local mills and forestry industry. McKnight said, “The stories told by old-timers must be recorded, otherwise they will be lost.”

The collection was digitized thanks to funding from BC150: Celebrating Influential Women, Seniors & Elders; the City of Port Alberni and the British Columbia Museums Association. Digitized copies of approximately 50 shows are available for viewing at the museum by appointment. Four short versions are available for viewing below.