Where the Past is Present

This work-in-progress is the account of Barkerville’s museum history from the site’s inception to its present day. It is a celebration of the development and programming (as well as of all the individuals, societies, and volunteers) who have helped to tell Barkerville’s complex and developing story, season after season, year after year, from an exclusive pioneer-settler narration into inclusive multicultural reconciliation.

Through providing historical research and reference for contemporary context –

Where the Past is Present: Loving Living History in Barkerville, BC

– is a chronology of Barkerville’s enduring legacy and continuing story.

Brendan’s research and documentation chronicles the passion of locals who paved the way for their community to be protected through conversion into an historic site through to the subsequent development of a powerful arts culture born through curatorial interpretation, character-based demonstrations, historical reenactment, historical interpretation, and the revitalization of the historic Theatre Royal.

He also branches into the economic, inspirational, cultural, and educational impacts of Barkerville as well as growing coordination with the Chinese and Original Peoples of BC. He also explores associative branding connected to Barkerville, such as businesses that have borrowed the Barkerville name: Barkerville Brewing, Barkerville Gold Mines, Barkerville Fudge, etc.

This book is not only intended to document an untold side of Barkerville’s incredible culture and history, but to advocate for its continued funding, support, artistic integrity and continual maintenance and improvement as an important tourist destination for the province. Barkerville is the largest living history museum in western Canada. It is an immersive open-air interactive theatrical experience and an important leader in Truth and Reconciliation programming in Canadian heritage through navigating the complicated reality of being a celebrated colonial site that must pull upon its past to educate the present for improvement for the future.
Publication Date

TBD

Research,

Interviews,

& Writing

Ongoing

If you have been involved with Barkerville in the past and would like to chat with the author or share your stories, please contact Brendan.