Main season
Barkerville remains closed until further notice
The Evacuation Order has been downgraded to an Alert.
Access to Barkerville is still restricted.
Please do not attempt to enter Barkerville.
Updated July 26, 2024, 12:46 PM
Wildfire Updates Can Be Found Here:
BC Wildfire Service
CARIBOO REGIONAL DISTRICT
Barkerville’s Facebook Page
Media Inquiries
barkerville@barkerville.ca
DONATIONS
Barkerville’s 2024 Main Season
June 1st – September 8th
Welcome Centre Hours: 9AM – 5PM Daily
Theatre Royal
2:00pm Daily
An hour of music, comedy, and fun for the entire family!
Tickets sold separately. Available at the Welcome Centre. Box office is open 1pm-2pm daily.
Theatre Admission Prices
General: $20.00
Seniors: $17.00
Youth (3-12): $10.00
Children 3 and under: FREE
DAILY PROGRAMS
Subject to change
Wendle House
All-Day
Come on in and visit with Miss Wendle and others while they bake and cook on an authentic wood stove. Arrive at just the right time and you may get to have a taste. See household chores get done the way your ancestors used to do them.
Indigenous Cultural Session
All-Day
Dahooja, Weyt-kp, Hadih! Barkerville is located in the shared territory of seven nations: Lhtako, Nazko, Lhoosk’uz, Ulkatcho, ?Esdilagh, Xatśūll, Simpcw, and Lheidli. We invite you to learn our stories and our role in the gold rush.
Chinese Cultural Sessions
All-Day
Want to learn more about the culture of the Chinese and the practices they brought with them to the Gold Rush? Learn about the Chinese tea culture, Tai chi and Tai chi Sword. Chinese music and performances, Chinese chess, herbal medicine the list goes on.
Cariboo Sentinel Newspaper Shop
All-Day
Founded in 1865, the Cariboo Sentinel newspaper runs for 10 years and reaches global circulation. Visit the print shop to purchase custom-made paper items and also see the editor setting type and operating an original platen press.
Cameron & Ames Blacksmith Shop
All-Day
Experience a working 1870s Blacksmith Shop! Hear the anvil chorus and smell the sizzle of hot metal smoke. Handcrafted iron works are available for purchase.
Amazing Tales from the Gold Rush Trail
9:15am
A historical overview of British Columbia’s Gold Rush at the Barker Co. Shafthouse. A chronicle of the events and people who prospected their way to Williams Creek and how they followed the geological indicators to the fabulous riches of the Cariboo Gold Fields. 30 minutes.
Guided Town Tour
10:00am
Absorb an in-depth understanding of the gold rush history, Barkerville, and the colourful characters of years past by attending one of our enlightening and entertaining town tours, hosted by Barkerville’s historical interpreters. The tour is highly recommended for first-time visitors. Tours begin in front of the Pavilion building and last approximately 70 minutes.
Victorian School Lessons at the Doody House
10:30am & 11:30am
Experience school like it was when Barkerville was thriving. All are welcome to attend this authentic classroom session. Line up at the schoolhouse doors when you hear the school teacher ringing the bell. Don’t be late, and kindly remove your hats before entering. 30 minutes.
Court Session at the Methodist Church
12:00pm
Learn about early justice in the Colony of British Columbia while our Gold Commissioners re-enact a famous court case from the Gold Rush Era.
Chinese School Lessons at the Myatovic Cabin
12:30pm
School is in session at the Chinese School house. Come and learn about the spoken Chinese language, Chinese calligraphy and how to do math on an abacus. 30 minutes.
Chinatown Tours
3:30pm
Explore one of Canada’s oldest Chinatowns. Find out more about the life of Chinese miners and merchants in Barkerville, and how their culture was maintained and adapted to the rugged land of the Cariboo. To join in on the tour, meet in front of the Lung Duck Tong restaurant. Approximately 60 minutes.
Waterwheel Show
4:30pm
See deep shaft placer mining in this lively demonstration of 1870s technology using an authentic wooden Cornish Waterwheel. Learn about the importance and operation of the wheel in a comical and entertaining presentation that is fascinating for the whole family. 30 minutes.
Evening Drum Circle drum circle
5:15pm
Join us for a traditional Indigenous drum circle at the Kelly Hall to finish off the day and honour the Original Peoples of this land. 15 minutes.
archaeology in barkerville
Come speak with Barkerville’s archaeologist to learn about some of the interesting artifacts that we were found when foundation work was done under the Theatre Royal and their surprising conclusions.
Archaeologist’s Cemetery Tour
Fridays, Saturdays, Mondays
11:30-12:30
Meet Barkerville’s archaeologist at the Methodist Church and journey on a 1 km walking tour to Barkerville’s original cemetery; the final resting place of Barkerville’s famous (and not-so-famous) residents and one of the most interesting historic cemeteries in British Columbia. 60 minutes.
Gold Panning Lesson
Get a taste of the Barkerville Gold Rush. Take a step back in history and learn how to gold pan with the old gold miners at the Eldorado Gold Panning and Gift Shop. Pan for a sample of gold to take home. $15 per lesson.
Come into the gift shop and choose from a variety of items available for purchase.
Barnard’s Express
Francis Jones Barnard’s B.X. Express freighting company shaped communication and travel to and from Barkerville and was the main cartage and passenger service on the Cariboo Waggon Road. Take a horse-drawn tour of Barkerville in an authentic stagecoach!
Thursday – Monday
10AM – 5PM
Every half hour, last ride at 4:30
(Schedule subject to change)
Tickets
Purchased separately at Barnard’s Express
General (13-64): $12
Seniors (65+): $10
Youth (4-12): $8
Children (0-3) Free
independent merchant hours
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