Today, March 20, marks the International Day of Happiness, a celebration established by the United Nations in 2012 to recognize happiness and well-being as fundamental human goals.
But long before this official designation, Rosslanders were already finding joy in the simple pleasures of life, like a good old-fashioned tea party.
Take this charming photograph from June 1907, likely snapped in Rossland, showing a group of fashionable women enjoying an afternoon tea.
The image, preserved in JD McDonald’s family albums and housed at the Rossland Museum and Discovery Centre, captures a timeless kind of happiness; one filled with conversation, connection, and, perhaps, a few shared secrets over delicate china cups.
So, in the spirit of the day, why not follow their lead?
Step outside, gather some friends, and enjoy your own moment of joy, whether it’s a cup of tea, a stroll in the fresh air, or simply a quiet moment of gratitude.
Museum staff invite the community to help keep the stories and smiles alive: if you have historical photos that capture the city’s rich past, consider sharing them with the Rossland archives.
Photos can be digitized for preservation and originals retained.
