Barkerville's gates have swung open for the 2013 season. The area's acclaimed living history museum, the largest of its kind in North America, opened its 55th season as a National Historic Site.
To show appreciation for these years of public support, all visitors can pay by donation for general admission to the historic townsite, from today until the end of the Victoria Day long weekend.
"This Barkerville season is going to be better than ever," said James Douglas, Manager of Visitor Experiences. "We've got some great new programming on offer, some new faces on the streets of town, and tonnes of passion behind the scenes."
Barkerville will kick off its special event season on Monday with the popular Victoria Day Royal Tea at the historic Wake Up Jake Restaurant and Coffee Saloon. Actors portraying Queen Victoria, Prince Albert, and a host of colourful characters will be on-hand to greet guests and usher in Barkerville's 2013 season with pomp and circumstance.
"While, historically, Queen Victoria never actually made the journey to Barkerville, or even to British Columbia itself, we are proud to interpret what it might have been like had Her Majesty made the treacherous journey to the goldfields nearly 150 years ago," Douglas said.
Queen Victoria was the longest reigning monarch in British history, at 63 years, seven months, and two days (June 20, 1837 - January 22, 1901), Douglas explained. "Her influence and interests contributed directly to the growth of the entire British Empire during her sovereignty, and she inspired an entire era."
Barkerville's Victoria Day Royal Tea will have two sittings, at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., at a cost of $15 per person, plus tax. Children up to 11 years old pay their age and children 4 and under are free.
For more information on the Victoria Day Royal Tea, or any of Barkerville's 2013 season of special events, please visit http://www.barkerville.ca/special_events.htm.
