Description area
History
The town of Barkerville sprang up around a gold strike by English miner Billy Barker, whose name the town now bears. This famous strike was part of the Cariboo gold rush that took place in the late 1800s and grew from a rumour to a multi-billion dollar industrial revolution that literally helped build a Province. Today the extraordinary town of Barkerville still stands as a testament to BC's golden beginnings.
Geographical and cultural context
Barkerville is located in central British Columbia, 81 km east of Quesnel and 8km from Wells.
Mandates/Sources of authority
Barkerville Historic Town & Park is a Province of BC owned Heritage Property, BC Park, and a Government of Canada National Historic Site. The town and park are protected under the Province of BC Heritage Conservation Act.
Administrative structure
Barkerville is governed and operated by the Barkerville Heritage Trust, a nonprofit organization that stewards the protection, preservation, and presentation of the park.
Records management and collecting policies
Holdings
Barkerville's holdings illustrate the local and mining history of the area. Barkerville also boasts one of the largest collections of Chinese artifacts, documents, and buildings in North America.
Finding aids, guides and publications
Finding aids, compiled research, and other information can be obtained at the Barkerville Library and Archives.