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Elizabeth Mitchell was born in Montreal in 1919. Her parents were Charlie Mitchell and _ Kilpin; Elizabeth is a granddaughter Legh Kilpin. She worked in Washington for the Canadian government during World War II, and married Hartwell Illsey on an April 28 during the war. She devoted most of her life to serving as a United Church minister's wife. Betty and Hartwell had three children. Betty worked hard to keep the memory of her grandfather, Legh M. Kilpin, and his paintings, alive. She passed away on October 30, 2010.

The Museum is located within a designated Heritage Conservation Area in the village of Fort Langley, Township of Langley. Community collecting began in the 1920's with a Native Sons of BC exhibit located in the last remaining Hudson's Bay Company fur trade era structure (circa 1840). A decision by the Canadian Parks Services to actively interpret Fort Langley prompted the provincial and municipal governments to cooperate in the construction of a new museum adjacent to the National Historic Site.

The Township-owned museum opened July 1, 1958 and housed a majority of the Native Sons collection. It was operated by volunteers until 1974 when it was selected by the Federal government as a site for one of 22 National Exhibition Centres across Canada. The physical plant doubled in size, its mandate was extended to include art, history and science traveling exhibitions and the first staff person was hired. Federal NEC operating funding was eliminated in 1994 but the museum has continued to respond to that expanded mandate. In 1991, the Museum became the core facility of the Community and Heritage Services Department, Planning, Development and Stewardship Division, Township of Langley.
Term Source: BCAUL