Phase two of the Barkerville Reserve Collection Storage project sees the retrofitting of two sizeable early-20th century structures on Barkerville's back street as the Lowhee and Butterfield Barns are used to house almost 200,000 artifacts and other pieces depicting the gold rush era.
There is newly installed roll away shelving and a heating system that also accomodates humidity and static electricity for Barkerville's mountainous climate, which can vary from 35 degrees to minus 40 degrees within a few months.
Last week, a group consisting of the board of directors of the Barkerville Heritage Trust, representatives of a number of campaign donors and sponsors, members of Barkerville's summer interpretive staff, and interested visitors to the site gathered in front of The Barns to celebrate the official opening of the new Barkerville Reserve Collection Storage facility.
The campaign began in 2012.
"The Historic Town of Barkerville is a treasured heritage site and an economic generator for the Cariboo Region," said Dick Harris, Member of Parliament for Cariboo-Prince George. "This project will ensure long-term preservation and protection of valued artifacts."
The Department of Canadian Heritage and the Rotary Club of Prince George, both providing first-time gifts to Barkerville, were joined in recognition by Barkerville Reserve Collection Storage Phase One and Two donors C & C Wood Products Ltd., Canadian Forest Products Ltd., Carrier Lumber Ltd., Dunkley Lumber Ltd., the Jackman Foundation, John & Hazel Massier (Woodlot 1406), the Province of British Columbia, the Quesnel Woodlot Association, the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George, West Fraser, and Williams Creek Gold Limited.
In addition to funding provided by the Department of Canadian Heritage's Canada Cultural Spaces Fund, an important Phase Two contribution was also made by the Rotary Club of Prince George.
