This coming weekend Barkerville Historic Town will celebrate a time when the Christmas season was filled with simple pleasures and genuine holiday cheer.

Visitors to Barkerville Saturday through Monday, December 10^th-12^th, will be able to enjoy interpretive displays like the Halverston House Mining Museum, the Nicol Hotel Museum, and the Lee Chong Company Store and Chinese Museum.  Joe and Betty Wendle’s Victorian Home will be open for warming hands and tasting fresh baking, and Christmas baking and lunch will also be available at the Goldfield Bakery.

Christmas shoppers can purchase traditional Victorian gifts for that special someone from the Barkerville Hotel and the Mason and Daly General Store, satisfy their sweet tooth at McMahon’s Confectionary, attend services at St. Saviour’s Anglican Church, listen to roaming carolers, and even visit Father Christmas at the Enchanted Forest.  The Visitors Reception Centre will play home to a chorus of spectacular bell ringers at 11 am on Saturday, December 10^th, a local harp and pipe band will follow at noon, and the Quesnel Miniature Club will join the Christmas merriment with an authentic display of Victorian miniature homes and furnishings!

Barnard’s Express will be offering sleigh rides all weekend long, and as an added bonus this year will accept group bookings for private sleigh rides straight through the week until Sunday, December 18^th.  Guests can even stay overnight in one of Barkerville’s popular Bed and Breakfasts, to discover what it was really like to spend the holidays during times gone by.

For more information about Barkerville’s Old Fashioned Victorian Christmas, including bookings for a private, horse-drawn Christmas adventure, please contact Judy Mooring at 1-888-994-3332, ext. 29, or email judy.mooring@barkerville.ca.

Yule treasure the experience!

During the Cariboo Gold Rush, thousands of people from all over the world stampeded up the Fraser River to Barkerville in search of gold. One of the largest migrations was from the Wuyi County district in Guangdong province in southern China.  The Chinese were involved in many mining ventures and businesses.

“The people of Guangdong have played an important role in the history of British Columbia,” said Premier Clark, in a recent release.

“These cultural bridges will also help Northern B.C. develop strong commercial relationships with China, and will showcase Barkerville as a tourist destination.”

Premier Clark, along with Acting Governor of Guangdong Province Zhu Xiaodan, witnessed the signing of an agreement between the Guangdong Museum of Overseas Chinese and Barkerville Historic Town during her recent bi-lateral meeting in China.

The two Beetle Action Coalitions also see the future economic opportunities that can be developed through the exhibit.

The Cariboo Chilcotin Beetle Action Coalition (CCBAC) has funded $50,000 towards the Barkerville China Exhibit recognizing the cultural, tourism and economic links to this area,” said Steve Mazur, Director of the Cariboo Chilcotin Beetle Action Coalition. “Projects like this are helping to mitigate the effects of the mountain pine beetle in our forest dependent communities.”

The City of Prince George supported the project through a successful application to the Omineca Beetle Action Coalition for a $50,000 grant for the development of a satellite exhibit to be gifted to the City of Jiangmen.  The City of Prince George and the City of Jiangmen are pursuing a twinning agreement to further tourism, cultural exchange and economic development opportunities.

“The Omineca Beetle Action Coalition (OBAC) believes that a thriving tourism industry will be a key contributor to a diversified and resilient economy,” said OBAC Chair, Don Bassermann.

“The Who Am I? exhibit will support our member communities in pursuing and benefitting from a regionally integrated and collaborative approach to developing the region’s tourism sector,” he added.

The travelling exhibit will contribute to the achievement of recommendations found in the OBAC Tourism Strategy (www.ominecacoalition.ca); specifically to increase awareness of the nature and value of, and the opportunities associated with, tourism in the region, and to increase tourism in the region by using its features and attractions to full advantage.

Barkerville’s beautifully preserved Chinatown, its Chinese cemetery and its extensive collection of archival records, photographs, and artifacts – many brought to the Cariboo by immigrants from Guangdong – now comprise the oldest and largest collection of Chinese buildings and artifacts in North America. This includes the largest collection of pre-1900 written documents that are specific to North American activities and the oldest Chee Kung Tong building in Canada, which was designated as a National Historic Site in 2009. As western North America’s largest living history museum, Barkerville is indeed rich in Chinese-Canadian history.

The exhibit, entitled Who Am I?, explores the lives of Chinese migrants who came to Barkerville in the late 19th and early 20th centuries during the gold rush through photographs, dioramas and an interactive computer terminal. The intent of the exhibit is to reach out to these people’s descendants and gather stories to identify who they were, where they came from and went to, how they lived and when. By doing this, it is hoped that a greater understanding of the Chinese in the Cariboo will be achieved.

“The upcoming exhibit tour shows how our historical and cultural connections with the Chinese strengthen our economic ties now and into the future,” said Pat Bell, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation. “With this exposure, Chinese visitors are more likely to travel to Northern BC, bringing new dollars to our regional economy.”

There will be a ‘soft opening’ of the exhibit in Prince George at UNBC in June 2012 as part of Barkerville’s Fundraising Gala, and a send-off to China in at Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Gardens in Vancouver in December 2012.  The exhibit will open at the Hong Kong Museum of History in January 2013, and from there tour to the Guangdong Overseas Chinese Museum in Guangzhou, and then to the cities of Jiangmen, Kaiping and Taishan, before finding a permanent home in Jiangmen.

The Barkerville Heritage Trust would like to acknowledge and thank the many groups and individuals across the province, but particularly within the regions, that have supported this project.

Closing Date:  Wednesday, November 30, 2011

BARKERVILLE HISTORIC TOWN, the largest historic site in Western North America, is seeking a creative, energetic Marketing and Communications Specialist to assist in raising the profile of this important national treasure (www.barkerville.ca).

Barkerville is situated 80 km east of Quesnel, British Columbia in the foothills of the Cariboo Mountains, close to Troll Mountain Ski Resort and Bowron Lake Provincial Park.  The nearby community of Wells (8 km from Barkerville), the service and housing centre for the area (www.wellsbc.com), is itself a dynamic cultural community, home of Island Mountain Arts, the acclaimed Toni Onley Artists’ Project, the International Celtic Harp School (www.imarts.com), the dynamic indie music festival ArtsWells (www.artswells.com), the Sunset Theatre (www.sunset-theatre.com) and is close to a wide variety of winter and summer outdoor activities.

The employer, the Barkerville Heritage Trust (BHT), manages Barkerville on behalf of the Provincial Government.  This is a full-time, year-round position and is subject to the Collective Agreement between the Barkerville Heritage Trust and the BC Government Employees Union (BCGEU).  The successful candidate should be prepared to start the position on February 1, 2012.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Manager of Visitor Experiences and Public Relations, the Marketing and Communications Specialist will be responsible for assisting in the continued development and implementation of Barkerville’s marketing plan, including web-based marketing, building and sustaining brand recognition, and developing strategies to increase site visitation.  This position will be based in Barkerville and the successful candidate will acquire and maintain an intimate knowledge of Barkerville and its programming.

Duties

Planning and Marketing

• Work with BHT management team to develop the annual marketing plan and to assist in the management of the annual
  planning cycle
• Assist in the management of a marketing budget of $100,000.00
• Ensure implementation of marketing plan, including placement of all advertising, marketing materials, and trade show
  bookings
• Ensure the implementation of a tourism and marketing research program as outlined in the marketing plan
• Organize Barkerville’s participation in off-site events, parades and trade shows
• Work with management team and other site staff to develop a steady output of story ideas and press releases to media
• Ensure adequate coverage of Barkerville special events, including press releases, advertising before major events,
  follow-up stories and photographic opportunities
• Coordinate web-based, social media, and viral marketing activities including postings on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter,
  blogs, etc.
• Work with the management team, and especially the in-house designer, to ensure all advertising and promotional
  materials are consistent in messaging and design concepts
• Work with the in-house designer, manage off-site billboards and signage,   regularly reviewing locations, and monitoring conditions
• Assist in updating and revising messaging to be included on off-site signage and ensuring consistency with Barkerville’s
  brand image and other creative material

Community and Regional Liaison

• Proactively develop and manage relations with the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism Association, Northern BC Tourism Association, the Quesnel Community and Economic Development Corporation, Initiatives Prince George, the District of Wells, local Chambers of Commerce, and other key marketing and economic development organizations
• Represent the site by participating in conferences, meetings, and public speaking engagements
• Develop innovative partnerships and relationships that build new connections and awareness of Barkerville
• Work with Merchants of Barkerville and with the Wells Chamber of Commerce to develop innovative cooperative marketing
  opportunities
• Work with on-site operators, operators in Wells, Bowron Lakes and Quesnel as well as receptive tour operators to develop packages which include Barkerville

Qualifications

• An undergraduate or graduate degree in marketing, communications, or related field of study
• Minimum 3 to 5 years’ experience in tourism or heritage marketing
• In-depth working knowledge of the key marketing organizations relevant to Barkerville, including DMOs, Chambers of
  Commerce, andTourismBC
• Advanced computer fluency including word processing, spread sheets and web development
• Creative and innovative approach, with proven ability to think ‘outside of the box’
• Proven ability to analyse, plan, initiate and complete projects in a timely fashion
• Superlative writing and communication skills
• Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team
• Valid BC driver’s licence

Salary Range

This is a Union position (BCGEU) at the hourly rate of $28.47, plus benefits.

To Apply:

Send letter, resume and portfolio samples to (email correspondence preferred) by midnight on Wednesday, November 30, 2011 to:

Judy Campbell

Chief Executive Officer

Barkerville Historic Town

Box 19, Barkerville, BC,V0K 1B0

250.994.3302 ext 23

toll free: 1.888.994.3332 ext 23

judy.campbell@barkerville.ca

www.barkerville.ca

Follow our blog: barkerville.wordpress.com

On Twitter: @barkervillebc

Watch: http://youtube.com/barkervilletv

“As an influential and respected Canadian, Iona is a woman of many roles and, among them, many ‘firsts’,” said Sue Morhun, Chair of the Barkerville Heritage Trust. “We are genuinely thrilled that Iona is adding another by joining us at this significant time in Barkerville’s history – its 150th anniversary in 2012.

“As an iconic champion of the North, and with an unwavering commitment to excellence, Iona will help advance Barkerville with its ‘no small dreams’ at a time when we are creating a vibrant and sustainable future.”

Campagnolo, the first woman to be named Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, is a lifelong supporter of BC’s heritage.

“I am pleased to be joining the women and men associated with The Barkerville Heritage Trust as an Honourary Patron,” she said. “We are charged with keeping faith with all those individuals who helped to create and build the rich legacy that we and future generations inherit.

“In all our diversity of backgrounds, complicated beginnings and bright promises for tomorrow, B. C. remains unique in Canada. Sustaining that special trust demanded by our shared past is what Barkerville is all about. It is a joy to be associated with a living, breathing evocation of ‘who we were’ 150 years ago and how we came to be who we are today.”

Barkerville Historic Town, the largest and most significant living history museum in western North America, was the undisputed centre of the Cariboo Gold Rush. The site is owned by the Province of British Columbia and managed on their behalf by the Barkerville Heritage Trust, a non-profit society and registered charity. Barkerville, a designated Provincial Heritage Site, has three National Historic Site of Canada designations. Barkerville is the anchor tourism destination in central and northern BC, drawing on average 66,000 visitors per season and creating an annual economic impact of $16.9M.

Barkerville Historic Town is looking for a creative restaurateur or chef to develop a unique British Columbian culinary experience with a distinct Cariboo Gold Rush flavour. The Wake Up Jake Coffee Saloon should endeavour to interpret the essence of late-19^th century cuisine, including standard gold rush fare, for the palates of a 21^st century family.

Barkerville Historic Town is currently seeking expressions of interest and statements of qualifications and experience for the operation of the Wake Up Jake Coffee Saloon.  The successful proponent will:

• Be a creative individual willing to work hard to build an innovative and exceptional product
• Show an ability to bring together a reliable management team containing a strong blend of business and culinary skills
• Craft an atmosphere reminiscent of a ‘more refined’ establishment in Barkerville during the 19^th-century gold rush through creative décor, costuming, presentation of staff, etc.
• Develop a menu that is both distinctive and appealing to 21^st century visitors, while at the same time having clear historical links to 19^th century British Columbia – from the availability of certain ingredients, to the manner of service and presentation of the time, to the cultural backgrounds of the  proprietors, or to other culinary trends of the times (for example, the introduction of curries to England that came about during the colonial presence in India)
• Present menu options that will provide the best value possible, and appeal to visitors throughout an assortment of global economic circumstances
• Develop a menu and atmosphere that can maintain strong local and regional support through initiatives such as excellent coffee and breakfast specials, staff and contractor incentive programs, or packaged dinner and theatre specials
• Provide excellent references

The Wells-Barkerville-Bowron Lakes area (www.wellsbc.com) is a renowned tourism destination, home to Bowron Lake Provincial Park, Barkerville Historic Town, the Wells-Barkerville Mountain Trails Network, and a variety of year-round outdoor recreational opportunities and wilderness adventures, including hiking, trail riding and mountain biking (www.wellsbarkervilletrails.com), camping, canoeing and kayaking, wildlife viewing, Alpine and Nordic skiing (www.trollresort.com), snowmobiling (www.snowmobilewells.com), and more.  

The small mountain community of Wells, British Columbia has also gained a reputation as a world-class cultural and artistic destination, complete with vibrant building facades, abundant art galleries, two live professional theatres (www.sunset-theatre.com and www.theatreroyal.ca), the Island Mountain Arts School of the Arts (www.imarts.com), and the extraordinary ArtsWells Festival (www.artswells.com).

Barkerville Historic Town (www.barkerville.ca and www.barkervilleisfun.ca), located just 8km from Wells, is owned by the Province of British Columbia and managed by the Barkerville Heritage Trust, a registered charity.  Barkerville’s social and economic significance as the centre of the 1860s Cariboo Gold Rush – which solidified British dominion over the west coast and strongly contributed to the formation ofCanada as a sovereign nation “from sea to sea” – was recognized in 1923 when the entire settlement was designated a National Historic Site of Canada.  Barkerville remained a boom and bust gold mining town until 1958, at which time its citizens convinced the Government of British Columbia to make Barkerville a protectedProvincialPark.  Barkerville is the now largest “living history” heritage attraction in westernNorth America.  Today more than 100 heritage buildings remain, brought to life by period and museum displays, costumed historical interpreters, the cast and crew of the Theatre Royal and a variety of exhilarating visitor experiences such as gold-panning, blacksmithing, and stagecoach rides. 

The Wake Up Jake Coffee Saloon first opened in Barkerville in the early 1860s, and operated into the 1870s.  In 1960, a reproduction building was constructed on the original site that closely resembled a photo taken in 1871, in order to house a 60+ seat, Victorian-style restaurant.  The Wake Up Jake now operates as a private business withinBarkerville Historic Town, and its facilities are provided by the Barkerville Heritage Trust in return for a percentage of the gross annual revenues of its operation (althoughBarkerville Historic Town is open May to September, off-season catering opportunities may be developed).

A response is required by the closing date of Monday, October 31^st, 2011 to be placed on the Qualified Bidders’ List.  For more information, please contact Matthias Koch, Corporate Services Manager, at matthias.koch@barkerville.ca, or phone 1-888-994-3332, ext. 28.

After three long years of research, planning and proposal writing, Project Manager Rueben Berlin will be pleased to welcome contractors and engineers to Barkerville next week intent on repairing and replacing Barkerville’s decades-old underground infrastructure.

Although the tourist season does not officially end till September 25, Phase One of a four year, $6.87 million infrastructure project will begin Monday, September 19^th.

“The installation of in ground waterlines and building services as well as wildfire and site communication conduits,” Berlin said. “Phase one will cost three
million dollars and our goal is to have the in trench excavation completed before freeze up which will allow us to do the remaining work before our end
date of March 31.

“The area affected extends from the parking lot area outside the gate through the middle and main streets and is a huge undertaking,” he added.

Although definitely not improvements that the public will see or even, in some cases, appreciate, the project will ensure the sustainability and safety of Barkerville as western North America’s largest historic site and a very important part of British Columbia history.

“We are looking forward to the completion of this very important work,” said Judy Campbell, Barkerville’s Chief Executive Officer.  “And we are grateful that the provincial government recognized the need and has provided the resources to make it happen.”

The heavy equipment will start rolling in on September 26, the day after Barkerville officially closes for the 2011 season, and the ensuing excavation and construction will render the site unavailable for visitation until the end of November.

“The planning, considerations and implementation of an infrastructure project of this nature is very different when being done in a historic site,” said Bill
Quackenbush, Barkerville’s Curator.  “We have hired an archaeologist and two assistants for the term of the project that will be monitoring the excavation and any archaeological evidence that is discovered will be properly recorded.

“Our curatorial staff will also be going through each of our buildings to ensure that displays, artifacts and buildings are safely secured,” Quackenbush added.

Project manager, Rueben Berlin is looking forward to the final outcome of the project.

“We will have a fully modern water distribution system that allows for better winterization of our buildings as well as a completely customized and innovative fire suppression system,” he said.

During the construction and excavation of Barkerville this fall, visitation to the site will be discouraged and Barkerville will be obligated to cancel its planned
annual Halloween celebrations, but the historic town fully anticipates full service restoration in time for Victorian Christmas (December 10^th to 12^th, 2011) and will definitely be ready to welcome visitors for its 150^th anniversary season in 2012.

From September 9^th to 11^th Barkerville Historic Town hosted its inaugural Cowboy and Drover Jubilee, including the first annual ‘Northern Star’ amateur singing competition, sponsored by 97fm The Wolf in Prince George.

Barkerville’s renowned Theatre Royal set the stage for some of BC’s freshest talent to shine.  Long-time Barkerville interpreter and Theatre Royal performer Danette Boucher (as Miss Florence Wilson) hosted four ‘Northern Star’ finalists as they completed two gruelling rounds of musical competition in front of a house packed with enthusiastic spectators Saturday afternoon.  Theatre Royal producers Richard Wright and Amy Newman, of Newman and Wright Theatre Company, joined acclaimed cowboy musician and festival-circuit favourite Allen Christie to judge the performances.

The finalists themselves represented the best and the bravest from BC’s south Cariboo region to the Northern Capital of Prince George, and demonstrated several generations of skillfulness.  Quesnel wunderkind Alex Verge, a mere 14 years old, opened the competition with a vociferous performance that seemed to belie her relatively young age.  Clinton vocal powerhouse Tanni McColl wowed the crowd next with a stirring a capella selection, and a couple of gentlemen cowboys from PG – Lloyd Elson and Terry Wozney, respectively – closed the first round of competition with traditional, guitar-laced country ballads.  When both rounds of the competition were complete Barkerville’s own musical sensation, JP Winslow, entertained the crowd as the judges deliberated.

The Theatre Royal buzzed with excitement as Richard, Amy, and Allen took to the stage to announce the winner.  Second place went to Lloyd Elson, and the winner was… Terry Wozney!  Wozney, who had previously won a trip down to Barkerville in order to compete in the Northern Star competition (thanks to 97fm The Wolf, the determination of his partner Christina, and an eleventh-hour YouTube video submission to Barkerville’s Facebook fan page) looked simultaneously stunned and thrilled the moment his name was announced.

Terry was lauded by the judges as an authentic star in waiting.  They each loved his quiet dignity, his infectious musical style, and his undeniable talent.

“He’s the real deal,” said Barkerville’s Richard Wright.  “Terry has the ability to make us feel like we’re all sitting around a campfire together while still reaching out to the entire audience.”

All four contestants conducted themselves like true stars, and the audience who had gathered for the Cowboy and Drover Jubilee cheered each one of them on as they sang through both rounds and graciously accepted the astute and invaluable feedback from the three judges, all well-established professional musicians.  The judges were so impressed by everyone, in fact, that they spontaneously offered some one-on-one coaching sessions to help each star continue working towards a career as a performing artist.

Each contestant won a 2012 annual pass to Barkerville, just for making it to the finals.  The runner-up, Lloyd Elson, also took home a generous gift certificate from Spruce Capital Feeds, one of the Cowboy and Drover Jubilee sponsors.  Terry Wozney, the new Northern Star himself, was awarded a spectacular prize package consisting of two nights’ accommodation in Barkerville, a valuable Barkerville gift basket, recording time at a Prince George sound studio, a variety of broadcast opportunities for the resultant single, and a seat at the judges table for next year’s Northern Star competition.

The weekend-spanning event starts Friday, September 9th with registration for the first annual “Northern Star” amateur singing competition (sponsored by Vista Radio’s 97fm The Wolf) available from 9:30am until 3:00pm at Barkerville’s Visitor Reception Centre, along with general information about Jubilee activities. An informal “welcome” party at the House Hotel Saloon kicks off at 7:00pm, with open mic music and several special guest performances slated until midnight. Admission to the party is free (as is entrance to Barkerville after 3:00pm) and food and beverage can be purchased at the House Hotel throughout the evening.

Breakfast will be served Saturday, September 10th, at a variety of authentic Barkerville eateries. “Northern Star” registration will be available from 9:30am until noon at the Visitor Reception Centre, and at 10:30am an official Jubilee opening ceremony will take place under the big canvas tent at the front end of town. Under that same tent at 11:00am the first round of cowboy poetry will hold court until noon, and, according to Barkerville’s Visitor Experiences Manager, James Douglas, guests are encouraged to take the stage with poems of their own – if the spirit so takes them.

“Cowboy poetry grew out of a tradition of improvised composition carried on by workers on cattle drives and ranches in the mid to late-1800s,” said Douglas. “After a day of hard work these drovers, or cowboys as we call them, would gather around a campfire and entertain one another with tall tales and folk songs.

“We’re aim to keep that tradition alive here in Barkerville, and invite our Jubilee guests to help us along.”

From 11:30am until 3:00pm Saturday there will be a variety of musical performances by familiar cowboy troubadours like Allen Christie, Ed Wahl, Gordie West, and Budd Webb, as well as entries by the “Northern Star” contestants and a few surprise guests at the Jubilee music stages – Barkerville’s Methodist Church, Kelly Saloon, and House Hotel.

A “Cowboy Lunch” fundraiser for the Friends of Barkerville Cariboo Goldfields Historical Society will serve-up at noon, and a second series of cowboy poems will be slated between 1:00pm and 2:00pm at the big canvas tent. Dinner will be served at a number of Barkerville eateries starting in the early afternoon, in anticipation of the “Northern Star” showcase that will take place at Barkerville’s Theatre Royal at 5:00pm.

“We are particularly excited about the Northern Star amateur showcase,” said Douglas.

“This is our first stab at the event, and the competition is meant to be more fun than ferocious, but thanks to our good friends at 97fm The Wolf in Prince George, as well as Spruce Capital Feeds and a variety of contributors from Barkerville’s business community, the prize package for our winner is pretty amazing.”

The official, adjudicated “Northern Star” showcase, consisting of four contest finalists plus several special guest appearances, takes place onstage at Barkerville’s renowned Theatre Royal, where the ultimate winner of the competition will be invited to perform with Newman & Wright Theatre Company’s 2011 Theatre Royal cast during a special, separately ticketed 7:00pm performance of its popular Gold Rush Nuggets musical variety show.

Sunday, September 11th will begin with breakfast at various Barkerville establishments, and a “Cowboy Church” service at St. Saviour’s, built in 1869, commences at 9:00am. The Cowboy and Drover Jubilee wraps-up just past noon, as Barkerville wishes “happy trails” to its cowboy visitors until this time next year.

“Whether you ride, play, sing, dance, or just like to whoop it up on the trail from time to time, Barkerville is the place to be September 9^th to 11^th ,” said Douglas. “Thanks in large part to a dedicated group of cowboy culture enthusiasts, as well as financial assistance from BC Hydro and Barkerville Gold Mines, Ltd., the Barkerville Cowboy and Drover Jubilee is a great addition to Barkerville’s 2011 fall season.

“We can’t wait to see what pleasant surprises the weekend brings.”

Mr. Hamilton and Miss Playfair welcome you to the Cowboy and Drover Jubilee!