The exhibit “When Passion Makes History” at the Museum at Campbell River — was evocative exhibition of Henry Twidle’s rare photographs capturing early 20th-century life, community, and history on the North Vancouver Island Coast. On view from July 7 to September 21, 2025.
The Museum at Campbell River is pleased to present this latest exhibition, When Passion Makes History: Henry Twidle’s Portraits of Our Communities, open through September 21 in the museum’s Changing Gallery.
This evocative exhibition showcases the compelling photography of Henry Twidle, a British immigrant who settled in Granite Bay with his wife Agnes from 1911 through the 1950s. Known locally as an amateur photographer, Twidle captured striking images of life in the region—from rugged logging outfits on the Thurlow Islands to tender portraits of nature and key community figures like Chief Billy Assu of Cape Mudge.
“It’s a peek behind the lens and at the life of a man who was a complicated person. Not fully liked by his community but nonetheless, someone who offers us an important look back in time,” says Museum Curator Amy Vandal.
Twidle’s photographs also document significant historical moments, including the 1925 fire on Quadra Island that burned over 50,000 acres, and key sites like the BC Mills operation at Rock Bay and the Quathiaski Cannery. His portrait of Chief Billy Assu of Cape Mudge has become one of the region’s most recognized historical images and was later reinterpreted by Chief Assu’s great-great-grandson, artist Sonny Assu.
Although much of Twidle’s photographic material was lost or damaged after he left Granite Bay in the 1950s, a substantial portion of his work was preserved thanks to the Adams family, who salvaged and donated many of the items to the Museum. This exhibition represents a rare opportunity to view a collection that offers both historical and artistic value.
The Museum at Campbell River invites the public to experience this thoughtful presentation of regional history through the lens of one of its early residents.
