Hometown Histories Speaker Series: Ken Mather

The Vernon Museum and the Vernon Branch of the Okanagan Historical Society (OHS) are delighted to welcome historian, author, and longtime OHS contributor Ken Mather back to Vernon for an engaging installment of the Hometown Histories Speaker Series. The presentation will take place on Saturday, October 18, at 1:00 PM at the Vernon Museum (3009 32nd Avenue).

Ken Mather has spent decades exploring Western Canadian history, from his early work at Fort Edmonton Park to his long tenure as Curator and Manager of the Historic O’Keefe Ranch. He has written extensively on ranching, cowboy culture, and Okanagan history, and also contributed to the Okanagan Historical Society as editor of Okanagan History from 2020 to 2025. His latest book, The O’Keefes of O’Kanagan (2025), brings together years of research and storytelling on the region’s heritage, and has received positive reviews from Canada’s History Society and the British Columbia Review.

During his presentation, Ken will draw on his decades of experience and share insights from his newest book. “It’s been a pleasure working with Ken through my roles at the MAV and the OHS,” says Gwyneth Evans, Archives Manager at the MAV and Secretary/Treasurer of the OHS’ Vernon Branch. “I really appreciate how his research brings to life the connections that shaped the Okanagan, thoughtfully linking the Syilx communities, the settler population, and the O’Keefe family.”

With the Historic O’Keefe Ranch recently in the spotlight due to financial challenges, Ken’s talk offers a timely perspective on the people, places, and heritage that have shaped the Okanagan and the enduring legacy of one of the region’s most iconic historic sites. Books will be available for purchase at the event, and attendees will have the chance to secure a signed copy.

Tickets for the talk are $10 and can be purchased at https://square.link/u/xSGSjezb. Proceeds support both the MAV and the OHS.