Biking to Barkerville

It’s Saturday, June 3rd: the first of one-hundred days of Barkerville this season. I’m cycling the 7.9km from my house to the site. The sun is shining, the willows, poplars, spruce, and cottonwoods lining the highway are a vibrant collection of verdancy in a palette of Scheele, Avonlea, and a truly-authentic Forest green. The ditch is still running with a consistent stream, and the sky is blue and lightly brushed with clouds. The view of Two Sisters across the meadows is majestic and welcoming as always. Large Sandcranes patrol the shallow waters; the whooping call of their wings in the spring evenings is a familiar and sweet sound of home. Bear sign, moose sign, and deer sign is present along the ditch bank and road side, but no surprises are to be had. There is a little bit of a wind this morning (some days a headwind can make you feel stuck in situ while working harder than ever), but the ride is light and invigorating. I pass the five flags at Barkerville’s entrance and see the Dakelh and Secwépemc nations flying valiantly alongside the Union Jack and Provincial and National flags. This time last year, they hadn’t yet been erected. I am grateful to see them there, and the wind has supported all of five of them perfectly in unison. In fact, they appear to be frozen perpendicular against their supporting poles in ninety-degree angles. They are pointing me onward, around the last corner of highway, and toward Canada’s National Gem. Of course, by the time I’ve stopped, reached into my pocket and retrieved my camera to document the moment, the gust is already beginning to fade in strength. After parking my bike, making my way discreetly up the back street, entering my dressing room, stretching while uttering a series of strange noises that many untrained in the theatrical arts would recognize not as the critically important vocal warm-ups that they are, but rather as impersonations of a wide variety of natural life, I then disrobe from the 21st century, don the identity of James Anderson, historic poet and 19th century miner, and step out into the streets of Barkerville.

The site is busier with tourists than I had anticipated for the first day of the season. I’ve been an actor, performer, singer, and historical interpreter in the site since 2011 (with an absence of a few years in between), and this is my tenth formal season in the site. Even though I’ve seen a great deal of change over the last 13 years, opening day never gets old. The programming all goes well and is well received. This year’s Theatre Royal’s preview performance receives joyous applause. A number of the interpretive scenes that used to take place on the street throughout the day, set aside through the pandemic years, have returned. In many ways Barkerville is renewed, and in many ways Barkerville is as wonderfully nostalgic as ever. I love the work we all do. It is fulfilling, fun, and challenging. Alongside a tremendous team of administrators, operators, carpenters, plumbers, cashiers, campground staff, historians, curators, archeologists, merchants, restau-

Who Are We?

We are the Friends of Barkerville - Cariboo Goldfields Historical Society, a Charitable Non-Profit organization comprised of dedicated volunteers. Our focus is to enhance Preservation, Protection, and Promotion as it applies to Barkerville Historic Town & Park and the Historic Cariboo Goldfields area.

Executive Directors

Hildur Sinclair (president), Grant Johannensen (vice president), Tony McDonald (treasurer), Kwynn Bodman (secretary),

Other Directors: Robin Grady, Emily Bailey, Brendan Bailey, Hayley Archer, and Rocky Nenka.

Director’s Meetings

Monthly meetings are held at Troll Resort. We try to hold two of the meetings about June and September in the the town of Barkerville in the new school building. Members and/or the public can attend these meetings rant staff, specialized interpreters and curatorial interpreters alike, we get to bring Barkerville to life and to make it an authentic and immersive experience for visitors both local and tourist.

Dandelions and forget-me-nots are in bloom while wild strawberries display their dogwood-esque flowers in shaded hideaways.

Whistle Pigs (Columbian Ground Squirrels) stand tall and chirp at passers-by, and Monarch butterfly’s flit about gracefully while Swallows make their mud nests in the eaves and swoop down to intersect mosquitos and noseeums below. A fledgling crow caws near St. Saviours. Frogs hop around the forest duff making the grasses sway unexpectedly and sending mice scurrying. A swift black fox winds in and out of buildings seeking misplaced treats while sly cats prowl underneath cabins. There is so much life here in this remarkable place if one stops for a few moments to look around. When I have a moment to lean against the building, feel the breeze against my hands and face, smell the rich, fragrant air, and to simply watch for a short a time, I always take it. It reminds me why I am here. It recalibrates me.

During the ride home (now back in the 21st century), I reflect not only upon how my wife and I fell in love in Barkerville and have built our lives around the site (the Theatre Royal being of enormous significance to us both professionally and personally), but I also reflect upon how grateful I am to have been hired as a musical theatre professional in my mid-twenties and to have spent some seasons on the Theatre Royal stage so many years ago. It inspired me to change the trajectory of my career, “hooked me” as it were, and I then made some very difficult decisions but ultimately relocated from the hustle and bustle of urban life to a place that now inspires me daily.

I hope that everyone gets to experience the magic of Barkerville at least once in their life. I am evidence that it can be transformative. For some of us, it grasps like the goldfever of old. For visitors, it often reminds them that there are important lessons for the present in the past with advance notice, but they cannot vote unless it is during the AGM. Members are welcome to express their input, suggestions, and ideas.

Newsletter

Credit and Copyright to the contributors unless otherwise noted. Minor editorial supervision by Brendan Bailey and layout by Dirk Van Stralen. All persons with submission of articles and photos are given full credit. Please feel free to send in your items of interest for consideration in our upcoming newsletters.

Positions

Society director positions are a one-year term from the November AGM through the following November AGM, during which time, as per constitution, positions are elected or re-elected. Committee Positions include: membership, special projects, newsletter, and website.

Membership Perks

• May 1st to April 30th annual issue (only $25 individual, $40 couple)

• Quarterly Souvenir Newsletter Subscription $15

• 20% discount on Barkerville Historic Town & Park Admission

• 10% discount on a day-pass at Troll Ski Resort on Highway 26

• 10% off your bill at Barkerville Brewing Co. in Quesnel

• A free ice cream at Frog on the Bog Gifts in Wells

Contact

Mailing Address: PO Box 4152, Quesnel, BC, V2J 3J2

Primary E-Mail: friendsofbarkerville@ barkerville.ca

Website: www.friendsofbarkerville.ca

Facebook: Friends of Barkerville - Cariboo Goldfields Historical Society

Memberships: in person or via paypal through website (see QR code)

Newsletter: brendan.bailey@barkerville.ca, or fobgoldfieldsmembership@gmail.com

(and that, perhaps, constant connectivity isn’t as healthy and ‘social’ as we are led to believe by contemporary society). Times now passed were not simpler times, no, not at all; merely different times. In a remarkable way, I get to live both while educating and entertaining. In this way, I am one of the luckiest actors in North America. I am able to teach, to challenge myself to make every performance (no matter how many times I’ve performed a piece over the years, usually hundreds) new for those who are seeing it for the first time, and to do it all in a place that is truly unique in this world full of wonders. My personal motto and driving mandate being that ‘historical Interpreters have an historic impact,’ and that I have a responsibility. Not only this, but riches come in all forms and I know all too well that I struck gold in love while I struck gold in this place.

A few years back I bought a book edited by Winnifred M Futcher, B.A., published in 1938, and called The Great North Road to the Cariboo. The opening passage, nearly a century old, still harkens to the heart of this place: “‘Let us take a trip to the Cariboo!’ How often do we hear these words spoken and wonder to ourselves what it is all about; and why the glamour and attraction in a territory rock-bound on all sides, subject to extreme climatic conditions, with not a decent-sized city within its whole circumference. Perhaps that is the attraction–at any rate, for over a hundred years the Cariboo, British Columbia’s vast hinterland, accessible in earlier years only with the hardest type of travel, has been the glamour spot of the Continent… such men (people) have kept the Cariboo alive through gold rush and depression, have improved the country in every way, until today this great area, with its sporadic settlements, its productive mines, its gigantic and awe-inspiring scenery, its wonderful fishing and hunting grounds, draws travellers, prospectors, and lovers of the great outdoors, from all walks of life, and from all over the world.” While some of those views have changed with the reflection of time and certainly in regards to reconciliation, there can be no question that the Cariboo is a special place, and that Barkerville is at the heart of it.

Bustling Barkerville

For those who have been following our newsletters to date, you’ll know that our society donated $25,000 to fund an additional Chinese Interpreter this season. Unfortunately that position hasn’t yet been filled despite a public casting call. We are exploring other options for the funds. There is no Reverend to hold services at St. Saviour’s Church this season, but those of the local congregation can still use the iconic sanctuary for prayer at their leisure. Cemetery Tours are still conducted by the site archeologist (Dawn Ainsley, who penned “A ‘Dramatic’ Discovery” in our winter ‘22 issue). The Richfield Courthouse is not an interpretive site this year, but visitors can still trek the mile south of Barkerville to see the 1882-constructed Courthouse. Barkerville was awarded a $1,000,000 grant to improve and maintain the campground facilities! Congratulations to the site! Local gold mining partners, Osisko Development - Cariboo Gold Project, have, for the third year in a row, provided funding to maintain interpretation (performance programming) in the site. Horse and carriage rides will be available before the end of June, school groups are already running rampant in the park bringing ‘new life and vigour’ to the site, virtual programs are available for those unable to attend in person (Original Peoples, Blacksmith, and Typesetting), goats keep visitors smiling near the backstreet corral, all the shops are open and available all the way from the El Dorado at the entrance to the Kwong Sang Wing at the far end of Chinatown, there are four lovely restaurants to choose from in between, and exhibits, demonstrative performances, shows, and meanwhile interpretation abounds. There are bed and breakfasts available in Barkerville, Cottages just outside of town, and extensive campgrounds, also.

Lots to do and see!

In nearby Wells, if you’re passing through, hotel accommodations are available at the White Caps Motel, Nuggets RV, Historic Stays (the Willow and Mountain Thyme), and, of course, the historic Wells Hotel. Breakfast and lunch are available at Diggy’s Diner and dinner can be secured at the Wells Hotel Pub or the Jack of Clubs pub. Meanwhile, professional touring and local theatre productions are generally held most Thursday-Saturday evenings during the summer season at the Sunset Theatre (including the Friends-sponsored Sawney’s Legacy on June 30th, July 14th, and August 25th). The art gallery at Island Mountain Arts is open most days and select concerts are planned throughout the summer, as well as select concerts at SARRAS recital venue.

Jack ‘O’ Clubs General

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For those who have never visited, Wells and Barkerville are only 7km apart and Wells is an active gold mining community, artistic community, and historic 1930s mining town. Barkerville, meanwhile, is a national historic site, provincial heritage property, 1860s-1950s mining community turned museum and immersive open-air theatrical experience. There are beautiful local hikes, both short and long, and the Bowron Lake Provincial Park is approximately 31km east with further camping accommodations, lodge accommodations, swimming, canoeing, and spectacular views. The elevation here is 4200 feet, so our summers are usually a mix of sun and rain and sometimes cooler temperatures (average of about 14 degrees), but we can experience extreme heatwaves as well as cool nights, so we recommend being prepared for everything. As of last year, Wells alone now has very limited cell service, but please be cautioned that there is no cell service for most of the 80km drive east from Quesnel to Wells. We recommend a minimum of two days in Barkerville to fully explore and to enjoy all the programming, but three days is generally ideal - especially if one wishes to explore Wells and the surrounding areas, also.

Sponsorship

For those who are coming to visit us this summer, please take note of some of the sponsors of this newsletter: don’t forget to stop by Barkerville Brewing in Quesnel to enjoy their upgraded patio and a fine selection of delectable craft brews, including this season’s limited edition Claim Jumper Sour which is a delicious quenching refreshment for a hot sunny afternoon (a membership gives you 10% off).

Stop in at the Jack of Clubs General for fuel, supplies, and nourishment. Check out Historic Stays for Frog on the Bog’s toadily unique gifts (if you purchase a membership and show your card, they’ll even give you a free ice cream) as well as some cozy options and hospitality for overnighting.

Inquire at SARRAS for development, rehearsal, recording, and performance options (and maybe even catch a performance if your timing is right).

Bloody Good Bash

Our 2nd annual fundraiser event, A Bloody Good Bash, will once again be held at Troll Ski Resort. Join us on Saturday, September 16th, in your best miner’s attire for a hearty homestead dinner, good company, revelry, a live auction, and an evening of song and dance provided by The Interstellar Jays! Yes, 19th Century costumes are encouraged! Bring your gold, bring your smiles, and bring your dancing shoes for a special evening!

Tickets: $80 per person, or, $750 for a table of ten. To purchase tickets, please stop by the Frog on the Bog in Wells, contact the society at friendsofbarkerville@barkerville.ca, or reach out to one of the directors.

Free overnight camping (no services) will be provided by Troll for those who wish to imbibe. Please enjoy all that Barkerville and the Cariboo Goldfields have to offer this year!

– Brendan Bailey, on behalf of the Friends

Enjoy all that Barkerville Historic Town & Park has to offer (a membership gives you 20% off admission), and while there, be sure to take in an excellent meal at the Wake-Up Jake (we particularly enjoy their breakfasts before a day on the town, but the entire menu of lunch and dinner options is superb) and before you leave, an array of freshly-baked sourdoughs, sweets, savouries, and quenching beverages are available across the street at the Goldfields Bakery. Our thanks extend also to the Wells-Barkerville Community Forest Board, who work tirelessly to responsibly manage the surrounding community forest with the community’s best interests at heart. When visiting Wells, interpretive trails await you across the meadow and heading up Cornish Mountain.