The Sechelt Community Archives is an institutional member of the Archives Association of British Columbia that first opened to the public in 1997. The collection contains 125m of textual records, including fascinating historical photographs and documents of Sechelt and the Sunshine Coast. Genealogists, researchers, and students will find a wealth of information:

• Biographical data 
• Indigenous histories
• Pioneer histories
• Photographs
• Local newspapers
• Neighbourhood histories

The Archives began from the collection of Helen Dawe (1914-1983). Dawe spent much of her childhood in Sechelt and moved there permanently in 1969. Having previously worked as a librarian in both Victoria and Vancouver, Dawe devoted the last fourteen years of her life to collecting documents, maps, newspapers, photographs, artifacts and other items of historical significance to Sechelt and the Sunshine Coast. This collection was eventually donated to the District of Sechelt by Helen Dawe's sister Wilhemina Steele.

The original Helen Dawe Collection consists of 30m of textual records and approximately 120 artifacts. Since opening in 1997, the Community Archives has expanded to include records from 153 individual donors and 18 organizations; a copy of each local newspaper from 1993-present; and numerous maps of the area from 1909 to the present.