The Barriere & District Heritage Society, which operates The North Thompson Museum & Archives, has had a busy and productive year in 2019. The year started with the annual Meat Draw Raffle which generates funds for the operation and upkeep of the Museum. Next, the middle room in the Museum was given a fresh coat of paint using funds donated by The Lower North Thompson Community Forest Society. Through donations over the past few years from The Lower North Thompson Community Forest Society and The North Thompson Community Foundation the interior rooms of the main Museum building and the exterior of the main building and the Store have been refreshed with new paint. This past spring we were able to complete a much needed renovation to the kitchen by adding a counter top, cupboards for much needed storage and new double sink. These renovations would not have been possible without the generous donation of time and labor by community members.
Through the Canada Summer Jobs program the Museum was able to hire two local students from May to the end of August to provide tours to the visiting public, make displays and do research. Also, much needed archive material, photos, were able to be digitized by a grant received from The Lower North Thompson Community Forest Society, and a local university bound student was hired to begin this task.
In May, we had the annual Yarden Sale and Wheelbarrow Raffle fundraiser. The Yarden Sale is where local community members can purchase or sell local plants or have a flea market type table.
In June the Museum was a hive of activity with local valley elementary school students participating in Demo Day of heritage crafts and activities. The students rotated through stations operated by Museum members, community members, local high school and university students.
The Museum held the first every Heritage Tour of old and new downtown Barriere, Meeksville and the old Barriere Bridge on Pettersen-Betts Road. We also had two Open Houses at the Museum, provided picture and interactive displays for the Canada Day Ceremony at Fadear Park, North Thompson Fall Fair and Rodeo, BC Ag Expo and Barriere Elementary School.
This coming year, in 2020 we hope again to hire two local students through The Canada Summer Jobs program, have Open Houses, provide picture and interactive displays for community events, expand and change displays in the Museum, and have another Heritage Tour, with the Airport being the present plan.
We continue to encourage community involvement in the Museum and activities. If you have pictures, articles, or artifacts pertaining to this area we would be interested in meeting with you and using the material for displays.
The usual hours of operation are in the summer months when students are able to give tours. However, if community members have visitors to the area and would like a tour of the Museum we would be happy to provide a tour at any time.
Like all nonprofit organizations, The Barriere & District Heritage Society would not be able to operate without the continued support of community members who purchase raffle tickets, visit the Museum, community members, Mike, Mike, and husbands, Rob who provides labour and expertise to complete projects within the Museum walls, generous donations of funds from The Lower North Thompson Community Forest Society and Community Gaming grants, and members of the Barriere & District Heritage Society who supervise, organize, clean and generously donated time for events.
Find out more by going to: http://www.barrieremuseum.com
Or find them on Facebook: Barriere History
