The Origins of the Books of Ruth
In many respects, this project began with Ruth herself, who was concerned with preserving and sharing the unique collection of water colour paintings after she was gone.
If Ruth asked the question of whether to preserve the baby books and many of the other works of A. A. Brooke, it was B. Lynne Rach who asked the question of how. She found part of her answer through the Salmon Arm Museum and Heritage Association in terms of preserving the physical collection. To extend the reach of the baby books, she collaborated with Paul W. Taylor to bring them to the Internet. The digital transfer was undertaken with the able and detailed assistance of Elaine V. R. Taylor. All three recognized a great story when they saw it.
The first iteration of the website launched in the spring of 2008. Paul was able to preview the site for Ruth during a visit to Reno just months before her death. A second version of the online exhibit launched on September 25, 2009. The current version debuted in June 2013.
The Haney Musuem mounted an abridged online version of Ruth's Baby Books as part of virtualmuseum.ca.
If Ruth asked the question of whether to preserve the baby books and many of the other works of A. A. Brooke, it was B. Lynne Rach who asked the question of how. She found part of her answer through the Salmon Arm Museum and Heritage Association in terms of preserving the physical collection. To extend the reach of the baby books, she collaborated with Paul W. Taylor to bring them to the Internet. The digital transfer was undertaken with the able and detailed assistance of Elaine V. R. Taylor. All three recognized a great story when they saw it.
The first iteration of the website launched in the spring of 2008. Paul was able to preview the site for Ruth during a visit to Reno just months before her death. A second version of the online exhibit launched on September 25, 2009. The current version debuted in June 2013.
The Haney Musuem mounted an abridged online version of Ruth's Baby Books as part of virtualmuseum.ca.
The Repatriation of a Childhood
The 'baby books' have a new permanent home. Ruth Brooke Peterson wanted her collection of paintings by her father, Arthur A. Brooke, to be repatriated to Canada after her death. Many of the paintings captured mid-twentieth century life in the British Columbia interior, in and around Salmon Arm.
They have found a new permanent home in the archives of the R. J. Haney Heritage Park and Museum. The transfer of the collection from the estate of Ruth Peterson took place on September 13, 2008, resulting in a spontaneous family reunion in Salmon Arm, BC. A photo album from that reunion has been added to the gallery (see navigation links at the top of this page).
This comment is typical of the feedback on the Books of Ruth:
They have found a new permanent home in the archives of the R. J. Haney Heritage Park and Museum. The transfer of the collection from the estate of Ruth Peterson took place on September 13, 2008, resulting in a spontaneous family reunion in Salmon Arm, BC. A photo album from that reunion has been added to the gallery (see navigation links at the top of this page).
This comment is typical of the feedback on the Books of Ruth:
Thank you so much for posting these albums. I am the daughter of Cecil Brooke, grandaughter of Charles Brooke. I have a couple of Arthur's water colours hanging on my living room wall and have really enjoyed looking through Ruth's books. Thanks again,
- Lynda Brooke Siggers - September 14, 2008
The Salmon Arm Observer provides this helpful explainer of the repatriation project.
Another collection of water colour paintings documenting pioneer life on the Canadian prairies by A. A. Brooke is housed at the Dufferin Historical Museum in Carman, Manitoba.
