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Entertainment VISIT THE B.C INTERIOR FORESTRY MUSEUM By Aaron Orlando
Looking for an slice of authentic Revelstoke culture and history? Into burly, dangerous machines? Want to learn about an industry’s ongoing transformation? Don’t miss the B.C. Interior Forestry Museum.
Above left: B.C. Interior Forestry Museum staff: Anna Minten, operations manager; Brian Sumner, chair of the B.C. Interior Forestry Museum and Lachlan Gonzales, museum assistant (watch those fingers, Lachlan! Photos by Aaron Orlando/Revelstoke View That chainsaw still runs!) Above right: Step inside an authentic forest fire lookout tower and try your hand at charting smoke and calling it into the fire patrol.
There are few more in touch with the booms and busts of the economy than loggers. Local forest operations slowed dramatically following the U.S. housing collapse a few years back. At the same time, Revelstoke’s B.C. Interior Forestry Museum was dealt a similar blow when provincial gaming funding drastically impacted their operating budget. But like resilient loggers, the museum has picked itself up and redoubled its efforts to move forward. “We’re not taking a victim stance, we’re taking a survivor stance,” says museum chairperson Brian Sumner.
“Which is the tradition of logging ... The loggers always manage to come through, and that’s really the approach we’re taking. You get your down cycles, and then you go for it when you get your up cycles.” The 10-year-old museum is undergoing a transformation. Over the summer, they’re rearranging the massive logging machines in their parking lot into a new configuration designed to attract more visitors inside. They’re also repositioning themselves with lots of new community outreach events.
They’ve also added a new First Foresters exhibit that highlights the role of First Nations forestry history. The museum is well appointed with a gift shop, educational displays that tell the rich history of logging in the region and displays on forest ecology and management. Sumner says the museum tells the story of modern forestry practices, something visitors now actively seek out. “They’re looking to connect with the environment,” he says. The museum is full of fascinating logging equipment. They have one of the earliest known snowmobiles and
a vast collection of antique chainsaws, many of which still work. Each of the machines is a visceral reminder that logging is a rough and tough job where danger lurks behind every decision. If find myself holding my limbs a little closer to my body as I take in the displays, subconsciously fearing one of the fearsome giant antique chainsaws might roar to life with a belch of blue smoke. Museum operations manager Anna Minten says visitors often comment that the museum is a ‘real’ experience, providing them with a connection to the people who helped
build Revelstoke. “It adds to the history of Revelstoke,” she says. “Someone this morning, the first thing he said when he came in was, ‘This town ain’t no Whistler. There is a lot of history here,’” Minten says. “Being able to hold onto that and share that with the community and people from around the world is great.” The museum is located on Highway 23 North, a few kilometres north of Revelstoke, just before the Revelstoke Dam. You can’t miss the sign.
This summer in Revelstoke TO AUGUST 5 MUSE by Keishia Treber at the Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre. Also features Figuratively Speaking by Paula Cravens and Bowls of Life by Darlene Swan. Opens July 8 at 6 p.m.
Includes interpretive walks, new exhibits, a barbecue and activities for the whole family. At Rogers Pass. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Entrance to the park is free.
RAILWAY DAYS At the Revelstoke Railway
SEPTEMBER 11
Museum. For more information visit www.railwaydays.com.
MOUNT REVELSTOKE STEAMER 26km hill climb up the Meadows in the Sky Parkway in Mt. Revelstoke National Park.
JULY 17
MIDSUMMER AFFORDABLE ART FAIR
JULY 9
STURGIS NORTH Motorcycle rally and BBQ
SEPTEMBER 15-16 BANFF MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL WORLD TOUR in Revelstoke. At the Roxy The-
JULY 8
AUGUST 12
TO
SEPTEMBER 2
TIMBER DAY Featuring a variety of logging
at Glacier House Resort.
sports and other activities. At Centennial Park.
JULY 23-24
All works priced less than $300. At the Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre. Opens Aug. 12 at 6 p.m.
JULY 10
BEACH VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT
AUGUST 12
atre. Hosted by the Friends of Mount Revelstoke and Glacier.
Hosted by the Last Drop. For more information or to register, contact Cyril Tomlinson at 250837-2121.
EVENING WITH THE STARS Witness the
SEPTEMBER 24-35
JULY 29-AUGUST 1
AUGUST 14-15
GLACIER CHALLENGE 24th annual slo-
CELEBRATE THE SUMMIT in Mount Rev-
pitch tournament. At Centennial Park and other locations around town.
elstoke National Park.
STOKED TO GET SPANKED Mountain bike race at Mt. MacPherson trails. For more information visit www.skookumcycle.com/get_rev_ el_stoked_race. Register at www.zone4.ca.
JULY 16 CANADA PARKS DAY Celebrate the 125th anniversary of Glacier National Park and the grand re-opening of the Rogers Pass Centre.
AUGUST 11-14
Perseids meteor shower in Mt. Revelstoke National Park.
GLACIER NATIONAL PARK CAMPOUT at the Illecillewaet campground, near where Glacier National Park was founded 125 years ago.
SEPTEMBER 10-11 LITTLE BEAR soccer tournament.
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