
PORT MOODY, B.C. — The POMO Museum is temporarily trading coastal history for forest ecology with the arrival of "BC's Marvellous Mushrooms," a travelling exhibition curated by the Royal BC Museum. Running from July 17 through September 30, the installation explores the scientific, ecological, and cultural significance of fungi throughout the province.
Housed in Port Moody's historic 1908 train station, the exhibition introduces visitors to the diverse applications of regional mycology. With approximately 3,400 known species documented across British Columbia, the installation highlights a curated cross-section of local fungi, ranging from culinary favorites to highly toxic organisms.
To illustrate these complex networks, the showcase features interpretive graphic panels, intricate 3D-printed models, and hand-sculpted displays. These visual elements are designed to educate attendees on the vital role fungi play in forest regeneration, as well as their historical and modern uses as food sources, natural dyes, and medicine.
The travelling installation was originally developed by the Royal BC Museum to accompany the comprehensive field guide Mushrooms of British Columbia. After touring various regional heritage sites, the exhibit now provides the Tri-Cities area with accessible environmental education through the late summer season.
While the overarching exhibition spans two and a half months, the POMO Museum will also host a dedicated opening event on the evening of July 25 to officially celebrate the installation's arrival in Port Moody.
