Activities
Activities
Daily Programs
Theatre Royal
The Cariboo Amateur Dramatic Association began putting on shows in Barkerville saloons in 1865 which makes this year its 150th anniversary!!
After the fire of 1868, however, Barkerville’s dramatists began presenting their theatre in a building they shared with the Williams Creek Fire Brigade. Today, this tradition continues. The Theatre Royal – still located in the home of the Fire Brigade – continues to offer exceptional shows that not only educates visitors about Barkerville’s past, but does so in a way that mirrors the theatre of the gold rush days in Barkerville.
Theatre Royal’s box office opens at 12:00 noon, seven days per week in the Summer Season.
F. J. 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, or book a return trip to see Judge Begbie at the Richfield Courthouse! Barnard’s Express offers a variety of passenger and freight services throughout Williams Creek.
Stagecoach rides: $7.00 per person
Richfield coach: $10.00 one way per person; $15.00 return per person
Water Wheel
Learn about the operation of a Cornish Water Wheel in this demonstration of 1870s technology that uses an authentic wooden water wheel. You’ll learn, in a comical and entertaining session, about the geology that brought gold and gold seekers to the Cariboo. Fascinating for the whole family.
The colourful characters at the Cornish Water Wheel also present the ‘Goldfields Discourse’ several times a day, which provides an introduction to the geology of the area and why gold is found here in Barkerville.
Both are included in the cost of admission.
Town Tours
Absorb an in-depth understanding of the gold rush history, Barkerville, and the colourful characters of years past by attending one of our entertaining town tours. Daily tours are hosted by Barkerville’s historical interpreters. Tours begin at the Visitors’ Reception Centre and last approximately 60 minutes.
Included in the cost of admission.
School House
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.
Included in the cost of admission.
Wendle House
Come on in and watch Miss Wendle and others baking and cooking on an authentic wood stove. If you arrive at just the right time, you may get to have a taste. Watch household chores get done the way your great grandmother used to do them. You might even have a chance to lend a hand.
Included in the cost of admission.
Chinatown Tours
Enjoy a fascinating exploration of 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.
Included in cost of admission. To join in on the tour, meet in front of the Lung Duck Tong restaurant at the scheduled time. See the Daily Schedule for times.
Cameron & Ames
Experience a working 1870s Blacksmith Shop! Hear the anvil chorus and smell the sizzle of hot metal smoke. The blacksmith gives public presentations several times a day and is open from 10:00am to 4:00pm, seven days per week during the spring and fall seasons, and 10:00am to 5:30pm during the main summer season.
Hand-forged products are sold by the blacksmith on location.
Barkerville Cemetery
Meet Reverend Reynard at the Anglican Church and journey with him 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.
Many of the stones have been recently restored, and the tour benefits from up-to-date research.
“Hanging” Judge Begbie
Learn about early justice in the Colony of British Columbia. Let the notorious Judge Begbie and his assistants deliver anecdotes about Barkerville’s criminals and infamous characters.
During spring and fall, court sessions are held at the Methodist Church. During summer, Begbie holds court at the beautifully restored Richfield Courthouse, a 1.6km (1 mile) easy, half-hour walk from Barkerville. The Richfield Coach from Barnard’s Express also offers rides at $10.00 one way; $15.00 return per person. An early evening court session will continue to be held at the Methodist throughout the summer as well.
Included in the cost of admission. See the Daily Schedule for times.
Church Services
Work on the beautiful St. Saviour’s Church began in 1869, shortly after Reverend Reynard’s arrival in Barkerville. The incomplete building first opened its doors on September 18, 1870. The church is one of Barkerville’s most recognizable buildings, and is still made up of all original woodwork.
Services take place on most days at St. Saviour’s, and are performed by a student of the Anglican Church, playing the role of Reverend Reynard. Enjoy a moment of prayer like the miners used to do.
Included in cost of admission. See the Daily Schedule for service and daily prayer times.
Gold Panning
Get a taste of the Barkerville Gold Rush. Take a step back in history and learn how to gold pan with the crusty old gold miners at the Eldorado Gold Panning and Gift Shop. Pan for a sample of gold to take home. At just $8.50 per lesson, this is one of the best (and quickest) returns on your “investment” in the new Cariboo Gold Rush!
Come into the gift shop and choose from a variety of items available for purchase; gold items, gold pans, jewellery, souvenirs, hats, jackets, t-shirts, books, old-fashioned candy and sweets, drinks, sundries, umbrella rentals, and much more.
Daily Schedule
Please note, the daily schedules are subject to change without notice.
Please call 1-888-994-3332, Ext. 0 or email barkerville@barkerville.ca if you would like to confirm the schedule of a specific activity or show.
Special Events
Join us Saturday, July 11th for the 2nd Annual Aboriginal Celebration with presentations by the Lhtako Dene Hoop Dancers, storytellers from Xatsull Heritage Village and Bear Dancers from the St’át’imc Territory.
Mon May 18
Victoria Day Royal Tea
May 22-24*
15th Annual Barkerville Quilt Retreat
Sat June 27
Theatre Royal Summer Show Gala
Jun 27-Jul 1*
The Spirit of Cariboo Cameron
Wed July 1
Dominion Day Celebrations
Sat July 11
2nd Annual Barkerville Aboriginal Celebration
Jul 31-Aug 3
ArtsWells Festival of All Things Art
Fri-Sat Aug 7-9
Cariboo Lodge No. 4 Annual Reunion
Sat Aug 15
Mid Autumn Moon Festival
Mon Sept 7
William's Creek Sports Day
Fri-Sun Sept 11-13
4th Annual Barkerville Cowboy & Drover Jubilee
Sat Sept 19
6th Annual Amazing Race to Rebuild Barkerville
Fri-Sun Sept 25-27
Out of Time 2: A New Barkerville Steam-punk Mystery
Saturday, Oct 31
Ghostly Hallowe'en Town Tour
Sat-Mon Dec 12-14
Old Fashioned Victorian Christmas
Places to Shop
For contact information and store hours, please visit the Merchant Directory.
Places to Eat
For contact information and store hours, please visit the Merchant Directory.
Lung Duck Tong
The Lung Duck Tong Restaurant is a local favourite and is renowned for its Chinese cooking, impressing guests from around the world for years with fresh, authentic Chinese food.
Goldfield Bakery
Visit the Goldfield Bakery in Barkerville and take a walk down memory lane with the aroma of their famous sourdough bread filling the air. Fine, fresh baking, all prepared from scratch right on the premises. Don’t miss the annual Pie Eating Contest held every August; check the special events calendar for this year’s date.
House Hotel Coffee Saloon
Relax as you take in the ambiance of Barkerville and swig back a foamy old-fashioned root beer or imbibe in some thirst-quenching spirits at the saloon in the historic House Hotel.
Wake-Up Jake Restaurant & Coffee Saloon
The Wake-Up-Jake Restaurant offers a full menu of old-style favourites including breakfast, lunch and supper as well as children’s specials.
Don’t forget, C. Strouss & Company Dry Goods also has deli-style items and beverages to purchase for a quick and yummy pick-me-up!
