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.