Field trip guide
1.888.994.3332 - barkerville.ca 14307 hwy 26e., barkerville, bc
Photo: Thomas Drasdauskis
Contents About Barkerville 4 Activities 6 Cottonwood House Historic Site 8 The Wells Museum 10 Eat 11 Sleep 14 Camp 16 Winter Activities 18 General Information 20 New in 2020 - Rich in History: explore Barkerville in the classroom through a
digital interactive. Find it under the “Discover� section of Barkerville.ca. - Indigenous Interpretation: learn the stories of the first peoples of the Cariboo and their role in the gold rush.
Contact Judy Mooring, Education & Tours Officer toll free: 1.888.994.3332 ext.29 fax: 250.994.3435 judy.mooring@barkerville.ca box 19, 14301 highway 26 east, barkerville, bc, v0k 2R0
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About Barkerville British Columbia’s central interior has been profoundly shaped by gold thanks in part to a working-class English prospector named William ‘Billy’ Barker who, in 1862, spearheaded a twenty-year, multi-billiondollar industrial revolution that helped build a Province. Today, the extraordinary town of Barkerville (named in Billy’s honour) still stands as testament to BC’s golden beginnings. With a unique streetscape of 125+ heritage buildings, authentic displays, satellite museums, restaurants, shops, and accommodations there is still so much to explore. Declared a National Historic Site of Canada in 1924 and a Provincial Heritage Property in 1958, Barkerville is now the largest living-history museum in western North America. Located 80 km east of Quesnel on the Gold Rush Trail, Barkerville Historic Town & Park welcomes over 60,000 visitors annually. Barkerville is fully equipped to support all sizes of field trips in an authentic, unique, world-class heritage site. We offer a variety of education, entertainment, food, and accommodation options. This document provides an overview of our standard offerings and we are happy to work with you to customize a unique plan for your tour.
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The Seasons Winter Season
Experience Barkerville in winter! Our shops and exhibits are closed, but the Barkerville Cafe, Shamrock Tube Run, and Pavillion Ice Rink are open. Admission to Barkerville’s historic main street is free.
Main Season
During the main season, our full complement of restaurants, shops, accommodations, theatre, interpretive programs, and more are open for business. A gate admission is required.
Dec 14, 2019 – Mar 31, 2020 Site hours 11:00am – 4:00pm, everyday
May 14, 2020– Sept 27, 2020 Site hours May, June & Sept 8:30am – 5:00pm, everyday Site hours July & August 8:30am – 6:30pm, everyday
Field Trip Admission rates (main Season) All admissions valid for two days of entry. Group rates available to groups of at least 10 people with payment by a single payer. GST not included. Group Rate Heritage Package* Adults (19-65) $ 11.43 $ 38.55 Seniors, Students & Teens $ 9.29 $ 35.41 Youth (6-12) $ 4.28 $ 25.40 Children (5 and under) Free $9.05 * Heritage package includes regular admission, a gold panning lesson, a stage coach ride, and a ticket to a regular public Theatre Royal show
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Barkerville Activities Field Trip Programs - $50 per session Available Monday through Friday, mid-May to mid-June. Early Justice Participate in an enactment of a trial with Judge Begbie Mining Demonstration Learn about gold and mining history through an engaging performance Victorian Schoolhouse Lessons Experience a school lesson as it was over 100 years ago Cameron & Ames Blacksmith Watch a demonstration of the fine art of blacksmithing Wendle House Experience domestic life as it was in early Barkerville Chinatown Tour Discover the amazing stories of Barkerville’s Chinatown Chinese School Lessons An introduction to Chinese language, music, history, and crafts Cariboo Sentinel* An interactive printing press operation in the newspaper office Indigenous Cultural Session Barkerville is located in the shared territory of seven nations. We invite you to learn our stories and our role in the gold rush. Digging into the Past* A hands-on archaeological exploration of an active site *No open-toed shoes allowed in these sessions
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Map Location
Length
Seats
Pavilion #4c
75 min.
30
Waterwheel #83
60 min.
50
Williams Creek School #13
60 min.
30
Cameron & Ames #20
30 min.
20
Wendle House #18
60 min.
15
Lung Duck Tong #63
30 min.
30
Myatovic House #91
45 min.
16
Cariboo Sentinel #54
45 min.
15
Pavilion #4c
45 min.
50
Halverson House #67
60 min.
15
Barkerville Extras Gold Planning Strike it rich as you learn to pan for gold Stage Coach Ride All aboard Barnard’s Express! See the townsite on a horse drawn stage coach Theatre Royal Field Trip Special A theatre performance designed specially for field trip groups. Prices are per student + 2 adults Period Costumes - half day Dress up in Victorian garments Field Trip Photo Special Take a class photo in period costume Amazing Race A team-building race guided by clues around Barkerville. Step on Tour An historical tour guide will hop on your bus in Quesnel and present on the way to Barkerville
Photo: Thomas Drasdauskis
Map Location
Length
Rates
El Dorado
20 min.
$9.00
Barnard’s Express
20 min.
$8.00
Theatre Royal
30 min.
$7.50
Pioneer Clothing
4 hours
$22.95
Louis A. Blanc
Ask for price list
Visitor Centre
90 min.
$250
Quesnel
60 min.
$350
(Extra adults are $8.95 each)
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Cottonwood House Historic Site
Open May 14 through september 7, 2020 10:00 am - 5:00 pm every Day Cottonwood House Historic Site is located 26 km east of Quesnel and is managed by the Barkerville Heritage Trust. This scenic setting is home to a working farm and a beautiful heritage roadhouse on the banks of the Cottonwood River. Cottonwood offers museum exhibits, farm interpretation, and a general store. The campground offers 10 bunk cabins (56 beds), a wash house, a community kitchen and dining area, and multiple RV and tent camping sites making it ideal for large group accommodation. Admission to Cottonwood House Historic Site is by donation.
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Activities at Cottonwood Cottonwood House Tour Site interpreters take you on a guided tour inside Cottonwood House Heritage Games Enjoy games including tug-o-war, sack races, and an obstacle course Scavenger Hunt Search for items and clues related to Cottonwood House to win a prize Farm Orientation Feet in the dirt and hands in the hay as you learn to care for local farm animals
Price
Length
Seat
$35
30 min.
10
$35
30 min.
10
$35
30 min.
10
$35
30 min.
10
Wagon Rides
Adults: $5.00 - Seniors: $3.50 - Children & Youth: $2.00
Picnic lunch at Cottonwood
Prices include taxes. Advance booking required. Contact Dawn Leroy at 250-994-3332 ext. 24, or email dleroy@barkerville.ca A B C
$7.00 $6.00 $6.00
BBQ hot dog, ice cream cone, and juice box Ham & cheese sandwich, cookie, and juice box Hot meat pie, cookie, and juice box
Cottonwood House Campground
Location: Cottonwood House Historic Site, 30 km west of Quesnel Sites: 7 RV sites and 10 bunk cabins that sleep up to 57 people Features: flush toilets, hot showers, a heated activity building with a kitchen, tables and benches; outdoor activities and games area, picnic tables, fire pits, and wheelchair accessible walking paths along the Cottonwood River.
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The Wells Museum Open May 15 through August 31, 2020 10:00 am – 5:00 pm every day
Seventy years after the establishment of Barkerville, Fred Wells discovered lode deposits in Cow Mountain and founded the town of Wells. While Barkerville grew up helter-skelter at the whim of individual entrepreneurs, 1930s Wells was a carefully planned to encourage the development of a healthy, close-knit community. Educational programs offered by the Wells Museum are $2.00 per student and include admission to the museum. Free admission for teachers and chaperones.
Mining the Motherlode
Learn about town founder Fred Wells and his discovery of lode deposits in Cow Mountain, thought by many to be the source of Barkerville’s early riches. The similarities and differences between the two gold rushes will increase your understanding of the settlement and resource extraction that built this province.
Wells Scavenger Hunt
Join museum staff in a one-hour program. See a short presentation before you are sent on a mission to explore the historic town of Wells. Students will have the opportunity to develop map reading skills and to participate interactively with the town. The scavenger hunt ends at the museum, allowing you to explore the displays after completing the program.
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Eat in Barkerville Goldfields Bakery Contact: 250-994-3241 (May to Oct) or 250-994-3231 (Nov to Apr) bcirotto@goldcity.net Advance booking required. Please contact for pricing. Take-out orders only. Brown Bag Lunch Options Hot dog on a sourdough bun with a drink and a cookie Choice of jumbo hot dog, smokie, or bratwurst Hot meat pie with a drink and a cookie Choice of beef or turkey Sandwich with a drink and a cookie Choice of bread: sourdough or multigrain Choice of filling: turkey salad, egg salad, tuna salad, ham & cheese, or cucumber & cheese
Lung Duck Tong Restaurant Contact: 250-994-3458 (May-Sept) or 204-899-5345 (Oct-Apr), lungducktongbarkerville@gmail.com Advance booking required. Prices do not include GST. 15% gratuity to be added on final billing. Special dietary needs can be pre-arranged. For accompanying adults, please add $2 per person. Seating available for up to 65. Lunch or Dinner $13.00 Includes a beverage, deep fried wonton, sweet and sour pork, chicken chow mein, mixed vegetables, mushroom fried rice, and a fortune cookie. $1.00 to add beef to the mixed vegetables.
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C. Strouss & Company
Contact: 250-994-3227 or tea@cstrouss.ca. Advance booking required. Prices include GST. Take-out orders only Miner’s Lunch $5.50 Two large sesame rye crackers, 2 oz of asiago cheese, choice of sausage, and a dill pickle on a stick. Comes wrapped in a waxed paper pouch for easy transport.
Wake Up Jake Restaurant
Contact: 250-994-3259 or neilvferrier@yahoo.ca Advance booking required. Prices do not include GST. 15% gratuity to be added on final billing. Seating available for up to 65. Breakfast A $11.25 B $11.25 C $9.95 D $8.75 Lunch A $9.25 B $9.75 C $11.25 Dinner A $11.95 B $14.95 C $13.95
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Scrambled eggs, hash browns and a choice of bacon or sausage, and juice Two hotcakes, scrambled eggs and your choice of sausage or bacon, and juice Two slices of French toast with syrup, and juice Two hot cakes with syrup, and juice Grilled cheese with soup and iced tea Grilled ham and cheese and iced tea Spaghetti with garlic toast and iced tea Spaghetti with garlic toast and iced tea Lasagna with garlic toast and iced tea Baked chicken, potatoes, garden vegetables, and iced tea
Eat in Wells Northwoods Restaurant
Contact: Karen St. Jean at 250-994-3325 Advance booking required. Prices do not include taxes or gratuities. All items include one small juice or iced tea. Adults may substitute coffee or tea.
Bear’s Paw Cafe
Contact: 1-250-994-3538 or amber@thebearspawcafe.com Advance booking required. Prices do not include taxes or gratuities. All items include one small juice or iced tea. Please inform us of any medical, cultural, or personal dietary restrictions. Breakfast Adults: $11.50 Children under 13: $9.50 All breakfasts are served with yoghurt, fruit, and juice. Coffee and tea included with adult prices A Belgian waffles with strawberries, whipped cream and sausages B Breakfast tortilla wrap with eggs and cheese tortilla, served with sausage Bagged lunch $8.50 Includes a juice box, granola bar, piece of fruit, and a treat. All snacks are peanut and tree nut free A Roast beef and cheddar sandwiches on multigrain bread B Ham, cheese, and lettuce wrapped in a flour tortilla C Vegetarian wraps available upon request Dinner Adults: $15.00 Children under 13: $14.00 Includes choice of juice or iced tea and a dessert. Adults may substitute coffee or tea. A Cheddar and potato perogies, BC farmer’s sausage, and Caesar salad B Chicken and cheese fajitas with taco chips, salsa, sour cream, and Caesar salad. Adult orders include sautéed bell peppers and onions. C Half rack BBQ pork ribs served with Caesar salad and oven roasted potatoes (add $1) D 6oz Deluxe all-beef burger with Caesar salad
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Sleep in Barkerville King & Kelly Houses
Cozy B&Bs are decorated in the era in which they were built. Feather beds, down duvets and antique furnishings take you a step back in time with some modern creature comforts added for your enjoyment. The King House has 3 rooms and sleeps six 6 people. The Kelly House has 3 rooms and sleeps 8. Both houses include a common room. kellyhouse.ca, 1.866.994.0004
St. George Hotel
Located right on the Cariboo Wagon Road where you can watch the comings and goings of Barkerville’s main street. A restored hotel from the 1860s, with some modern, comfortable amenities, including Wi-Fi. Enjoy breakfast and good company. Its 7 rooms sleep up to 14 people. The hotel also offers a common room. stgeorgehotel.bc.ca, 1.250.994.2345
Barkerville Cottages
Constructed in 2017, the Barkerville cottages are located a stone’s throw from the Barkerville Visitor Centre. Each of the 4 wheelchair accessible cottages contains 3 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms, a kitchen, dining and living room, laundry, mud room, and porch. 1-888-994-3332 ext. 99 or book online at barkerville.ca
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Sleep in Wells Hubs Motel
Under new managment transition. Please contact dleroy@barkerville.ca or call 250.994.3332 ext. 24 to enquire. Located conveniently in downtown Wells, the Hubs Motel offers friendly service, clean and comfortable rooms, and affordable rates. Motel amenities include kitchenettes, unlimited long-distance telephone calls, Wi-Fi, television, refrigerators, complimentary coffee & ice, and newly renovated rooms.
Wells Hotel
250-9943427 – whotel@goldcity.net - www.wellshotel.com Enjoy the simple elegance of a renovated 1930s heritage country inn. The Wells Hotel offers cozy accommodation, baths in every room, and many other improvements! Crackling fireplaces faced with gold ore from the old Gold Rush mines. Cozy guest rooms with original artworks. Fir and birch wood flooring. 1930s photographs and artifacts.
willow inn & Mountain Thyme
250-994-2345 – info@stayinwells.ca - www.stayinwells.ca The Willow Inn is a comfortable retreat with five private bedrooms, an intelligently arranged kitchen/living room/social space, and a large unique private loft with a balcony view of Slide Mountain. The Mountain Thyme is a 3 bedroom home with 2 bathrooms and is adaptable to a wide variety of accommodation requirements. Both are centrally located with lots of parking and easy walking to restaurants, pubs, and groceries.
Island Mountain Arts The Nest
250-994-3466 – info@imarts.com – www.imarts.com The Nest is a community accommodation owned and operated by Island Mountain Arts, primarily used to support artists in residence, but also available for visiting school groups. It has a patio, 2 kitchens, 2 common areas, 4 bathrooms, and 7 bedrooms, with plenty of extra space for sleeping mats. It offers lots of natural light, comfortable spaces, outdoor spaces, great art on the walls, and all the basic accommodation amenities you would need.
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Camp in Barkerville Government Hill Campground - - -
Location: next to the Barkerville Cemetery, within walking distance of Barkerville’s gates Sites: 23 campsites, including 6 mini-cabins with 8 queen beds, 8 twin beds, and 6 roll away mats Features: fire rings, picnic tables, a playground, drinking water, pit toilets, and self-serve firewood. Not suitable for large RVs or long units.
Lowhee Campground - - -
Location: off Highway 26, 2 km east of Barkerville, connected to a 2 km accessible walking and biking path to Barkerville’s gates Sites: 87 sites, 2 mini-cabins, and 22 sites with 30-amp power Features: wheelchair accessible, playgrounds, drinking water, coin operated showers, flush toilets, and self-serve firewood.
Forest Rose Campground - - -
Location: 2 km from Barkerville on Bowron Lake Rd, connected to a 3 km accessible walking and biking path to Barkerville’s gates Sites: Forest Rose has 54 campsites including 32 sites with 30-amp power and a group camping site with a large picnic shelter. Features: wheelchair accessible, playgrounds, drinking water, coin operated showers, flush toilets, horse paddocks, and self-serve firewood. Pull-through spots are available.
Bunk in the Barkerville Schoolhouse
Bring your own sleeping mats and bedding and bunk in the modern Barkerville Schoolhouse, located in the heart of the historic town. This wheelchairaccessible facility has a kitchen, washroom, Wi-Fi and Smart Board that can accommodate a youth group of up to 20 people. Price: $150 per night.
Cottonwood House Campground
Location: Cottonwood House Historic Site, 30 km west of Quesnel Sites: 7 RV sites and 10 bunk cabins that sleep up to 57 people Features: flush toilets, hot showers, a heated activity building with a kitchen, tables and benches; outdoor activities and games area; picnic tables, fire pits, and wheelchair accessible walking paths along the Cottonwood River.
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Camp in Wells Wells-Barkerville Community School
District of Wells - 250-994-3330 - office@wells.ca The Wells-Barkerville Community School offers its gymnasium for “indoor camping”. The facility has kitchen facilities, playgrounds, playing fields, TV and DVD player, bus parking, and a limited number of sleeping mats. Price: $10 per person per night. Minimum $150 charge with a non-refundable deposit of $50.
Wells Curling Club
wellscurling@gmail.com The Wells Curling Club offers its lounge areas for “indoor camping”. The facility has two separate camping rooms, a grill, stove, fridge, microwave, TV and DVD player. You provide your own sleeping mats and gear, towels, toiletries, and toilet paper. Check in and out times are flexible. The Wells Curling Club is managed by the Wells Recreation Society, a non-profit community group that maintains the ice, facilities and local youth programs. Price: $10 per person per night
Cariboo Joy Campground
Joy-1-888-996-4563-www.cariboojoy.com Cariboo Joy is a serviced campground that offers 20 and 30 amp powered sites, a sani station, restrooms and hot showers, satellite TV, a group picnic area, croquet, and campfires.
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Winter Activities Dec to Mar (snow dependent)
The Shamrock Tube Run $350 + GST per class
Conveyor lift access to two tube runs and over 400 feet of snow sliding fun! Kids and adults of all ages and abilities can safely enjoy the tube run. Children under 42 inches (107 cm) in height must be accompanied on the conveyor lift and on the ride by an adult. The tube run’s regular public hours are on weekends and holidays. Private tour bookings are available all other days of the week. A booking includes lift passes for your group for up to 3 hours of tubing. Available Monday through Friday, except holidays. Included in the passes are outdoor table and chair set up, a bonfire, snow tubes, and helmet rentals. The tube run is ideally suited for a group of approximately 40 people. Up to 60 people may be accommodated at once, but this will increase the wait time on the run. Limited helmet sizes are available and visitors are encouraged to bring their own helmets. No child is permitted to tube or skate without a helmet.
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SnowShoes, sled & skate pass $50 + GST
Make your visit a multi-activity day! Purchase an all-access recreation pass and give your tour group unlimited access to snow shoes, kick sleds, and ice skate rentals during your visit. Limited quantities and sizes are available. Contact us for more info. Note: Tour organizers must provide their own supervision on recreation facilities outside of the tube run area, including the pavilion ice rink and surrounding snow shoe trails.
Barkerville Cafe & Gift Store
The Barkerville Café serves hot beverages, soups, fresh baking, and a variety of hot and cold lunch options to hungry customers. Custom catering is available by request. Contact us for a copy of the café menu. Our café staff take special care to accommodate specific dietary needs, but our kitchen space is limited. Please inform us of any allergies prior to your visit. The gift store offers a selection of souvenirs, toys, and gifts. The café & gift store will open for the duration of all tour bookings.
What to bring • • • • • • • •
Winter boots with proper grip Insulated, water-resistant gloves Snow pants and a winter jacket Ski goggles or sunglasses A ski helmet, if you have one Warm socks, a scarf, and under layers A thin toque that fits under a helmet A backpack to store extra layers if the weather is warm
What we supply • • • • • • • • •
Tubes for sliding Helmets (limited sizes available) Access to the pavilion ice rink A bonfire and outdoor seating Sticks for roasting hotdogs Indoor seating in the café warm-up area Access to Barkerville’s historic main street Heated washrooms Free Wi-Fi
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General Information Deposits, Changes and Cancellations
A field trip order is your guarantee of Barkerville’s services and prices. Barkerville Heritage Trust must receive a signed copy of a tour order to confirm a booking. A 50% non-refundable deposit on all field trip bookings is due January 15th, 2020. Final payment is due 7 days prior to the field trip. Payments for field trips are no longer accepted on the day of arrival. Changes to bookings and attendance numbers must be made 7 days prior to arrival to adjust the final billing. Barkerville Heritage Trust is not responsible for refunds or billing adjustment after the final payment deadline. Barkerville Heritage Trust reserves the right to assign comparable space for the size of the group with or without notice. Deposits and payments to Barkerville include admission, special programs, and extra excursions. Deposits and payment for food and accommodation are arranged independently with the vendor of your choice.
How to get Here
Barkerville is located at the end of BC Highway 26 East. All visitors will travel through the City of Quesnel, 80 km west of Barkerville. Quesnel is a mediumsized city with many amenities to support your journey. Travelers destined for Barkerville will also pass through the town of Wells, 7 km west of Barkerville. Wells is a smaller community which offers basic amenities. Upon arrival, ample day parking is provided free of charge, including space for RVs and busses. Driving distance to Barkerville from Vancouver: 800 km; from Prince George: 200 km; from Calgary: 960 km
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Weather
Nestled in a high mountain valley, Barkerville tends to have cool temperatures and a regular mix of rain and sunshine. During the main season, daytime temperatures range from 5°C/40°F to 25°C/78°F. Warm light coats, rain gear, and mosquito repellent are an important part of the main season. In the winter season, snowy conditions prevail with daytime temperatures ranging from a mild 0°C/32°F to -35°C/-30°F. It is not unusual for the annual snowfalls in Barkerville to reach 6m/20ft, with snow banks hanging around until May. Come prepared with appropriate clothing, gear, and tires for your vehicle.
Code of Conduct
Barkerville is a safe and welcoming place for visitors of all ages, and special care must be taken to protect the important features and artifacts on the site. We request that there be, at minimum, one supervisor to every 10 children and that students be supervised during their visits to the cemetery.
Please encourage • • • • • •
Questions and conversations Interactions with performers and interpreters The group to stick together Staying on time Respect for the site, artifacts, and people Use of the garbage and recycling containers
Please discourage
• Running or rough play • Rude behaviour • Leaving the group or going off alone • Tampering with buildings or artifacts • Playing audible games or music • Smoking or vaping anywhere in the heritage zones (this is strictly prohibited)
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Arrival at the visitors’ Reception Centre
Please plan to arrive at the Barkerville Visitors’ Centre at least 20 minutes prior to your first pre-arranged booking to allow ample time to disembark, check in at the cashier’s station, and walk to your first activity. Refer to the town map to determine the location of various activities. There is no vehicle access to the Barkerville’s historic zone. Owing to the popularity of our site, there is no guarantee of rescheduling to accommodate late arrivals. Services available at the Visitors’ Reception Centre include: • Site information • Admission passes • Tickets to extra excursion • Bus parking • Campground bookings • Wi-Fi • Pay phones • First aid • Lost & found • ATM • Accessible washrooms • Change tables • Indoor picnic area • Stroller rental • Wheelchair rental • Dog kennel rental • Designated smoking area
Costumes
To enhance your visit, you may want dress in period costume. Costumes can be rented from Pioneer Clothing in Barkerville, or you can prepare you own. Girls typically wear a cotton pinafore over a cotton dress, black or brown leather shoes, and a cloth bonnet or Victorian hat. Boys typically wear a cotton collared shirt with a vest or suspenders, wool or corduroy pants that have been altered into knickers, black or brown leather shoes, and a period cap or hat.
Communication
IMPORTANT: There is no cell phone service at Barkerville, Wells, or Cottonwood House. It is recommended that you make any important phone calls prior to departing Quesnel. Public phones are available at Barkerville, Wells, and Cottonwood House and free public Wi-Fi is available in Barkerville.
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