Hiway16 Magazine... about people and places in north-central British Columbia, Canada

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Losing Our Heritage

By Tammy Lipke

“Those who do not remember their history will be doomed to repeat it.” So goes the old cliché – but what about us here in the Bulkley Valley? In the "age of communication" with its modern technology, cell phones, palm pilots, PC’s in every home, are we in imminent danger of forgetting our history?

The Bulkley Valley Museum and Historical Society is a small, dedicated group of people in Smithers, committed to preserving local artifacts and enriching our lives. Unfortunately, there is much that may soon be lost. Bits and pieces of our past are deteriorating, or being lost, or just plain being turned away from the museum every month.

Large historic artifacts like this thresher sit out in the weather

The space crisis at the museum really is no secret. The museum is housed in a small part of the Central Park Building in Smithers. But there is another bigger problem. The museum really has no floorspace to put the many artifacts that are on loan, or donated, by the public. In several off-site storage places, some of the larger pieces sit out in the open, exposed to the elements.

An old flash-powder camera. Still in great condition.

Canada provides standards for its museums, for the preservation and restoration of artifacts. And exactly where does our museum in Smithers fit in those standards?

Jane Young, museum curator, shakes her head when asked. “We don’t,” she says. She mentions the several off-site storages, some of which are on private property, and none of which boast any kind of proper shelter or security.

Many things that should be up on wood or concrete blocks are sitting on the ground, rusting. “We can’t take care of what we have,” she adds with regret.






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