Visitors to Barkerville can expect expanded hands-on demonstrations and interpretations at the historic site as well as at Cottonwood House as the B.C. Government renewed the Barkerville Heritage Trust's management for another seven years.
The trust was required to give the government a proposal for how they would continue to run the site, it includes expanding Chinese and Indigenous interpretation at the site and creating more hands-on experiences for visitors.
“We are thrilled to continue our stewardship of these cherished heritage assets, and with decades of experience operating Barkerville and Cottonwood House, our team has gained invaluable insights that will guide us as we work to deliver world-class tourism experiences for visitors over the next seven years,” said Al Richmond, chair of the Barkerville Heritage Trust in a news release. “We will be looking to expand the offerings at Cottonwood House, as well as sending Barkerville’s historical interpreters back to the Richfield Courthouse and continuing with our Indigenous and Chinese cultural interpretation."
Evidence of Indigenous settlement in the area dates back over 10,000 years and several First Nations have history in the area. During the gold rush, Barkerville was home to many Chinese residents and featured a booming Chinatown, where the oldest Chee Kung Tong building in Canada stands.
Richmond also thanked everyone who supported the historic site during the Antler Creek fire which lead to the evacuation of Barkerville at the peak of its season. Because of the work of B.C. Wildfire Service and Barkerville's team, the site survived the fires despite the old wooden structures being vulnerable to flying embers.
Barkerville dates back to the 1860s when Billy Barker struck gold at Williams Creek which attracted miners from all over the world and made Barkerville western Canada's largest town at the time.
The historic site offers visitors a chance to see the late 1800s in a new light with its interpreters in period costumes, stagecoach rides and a collection of more than 500,000 artifacts, including 100 preserved heritage structures.
“Barkerville and Cottonwood House are among B.C.’s most iconic heritage destinations that visitors love to visit again and again,” said Spencer Chandra Herbert, minister of tourism, arts, culture and sport in a news release. “I can’t wait to see the new exhibits our partner, Barkerville Heritage Trust, is developing that will further enrich the storytelling and historical experience at this site.”
The provincial heritage site’s popular 100 days of Barkerville season runs from May 31 until Sept. 7, 2025. Special events will also be held at the site throughout, and after, its regular season.
“Barkerville Heritage Trust is a trusted steward and operator of this iconic tourism destination in the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast region,” said Amy Thacker, CEO, Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism in the release. “Barkerville Historic Town and Park’s exhibits and interactive demonstrations for tourists and locals provide an incredible opportunity for people to explore, discover our history and create lasting memories. We look forward to sharing Barkerville’s plans with the community and inviting people to come back to see what’s new.”
The new heritage site management agreement begins on April 1, 2025. Barkerville Heritage Trust has operated the historical site since 2005. The seven-year agreement can be renewed once again after it is up.
Barkerville is also set to be the end point for the annual dog sled mail run, where letters will arrive at Barkerville's post office before being mailed out across the world. The Goldfield Bakery will be open on Feb. 9 for the mail run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
