Newsletter Volume 2 Issue 2 July 2009

Bedaux Exhibit Opening
A Great Success

Over 75 people from across the region attended the opening where authors Shirlee Smith Matheson and Nadine MacKenzie gave readings from their books based on Bedaux and his adventures

A large number local people have already visited the museum to learn about the important role the cowboys played cutting trail and

hauling supplies. Many thanks to Bill Tompkins for loaning two track plates from the Citroen half tracks for display.

Interpretive panels for the exhibit were developed by Ross Peck, and local Fort St. John companies The Imagebuild Team, Cliffside Printing and Sonlight Gallery. The maps were printed courtesy of FOCUS.

If you would like to purchase a limited edition copy of Frank Swannell’s map ($25:00) please call the museum 250 783 5735

Maps printed with kind permission from Lorne Swannell. Proceeds from these sales will go towards the management of the archives collection.

“Bannock & Beans” Book Launch
With Jay Sherwood & Steve Koerner

July 10th sees the launch of the new edition of Bannock &

Beans – Bob White’s account of his time in the Peace River area and especially as part of the Bedaux Expedition.

Jay Sherwood is an author and historian and with kind permission from Bob White’s family has edited White’s handwritten manuscript and

added previously unpublished photographs and text.

This edition is published by the Royal BC Museum.

Sherwood will be present to give readings from the book along with Steve Koerner who has worked as a history lecturer and has a long-time research interest in Bedaux,

particularly regarding the business aspects of the expedition.

Copies of Bannock & Beans will be available for purchase on the night and in the museum gift shop. Also, Bedaux anniversary T shirts and limited edition copies of Frank Swannell’s map with expedition members’ signatures can be purchased.

Thank you to UNBC Archives for their financial support towards the “Bannock & Beans” book launch

Local Students Head to Provincial Heritage Fair

The first Northern Region Heritage Fair was held in April at Hudson’s Hope School in partnership with the museum.

Students from grades 3 – 6 presented over 30 projects for judging on subjects ranging from “The Crow Metis”, and “The Klondike Gold Rush” to “The Edith Kyllo Story”.

The students were also able to observe and take part in gold panning, trapping, World War II radio operation and “how to pack a horse on the trail” activities.

Each project was judged three times on the standard of presentation, level of research and knowledge of the subject.

Strategic Plan in Development

The museum is very grateful to Community Futures in Dawson Creek for sponsoring Ron Trepanier of Whalebone Productions Ltd. to facilitate a strategic planning workshop for the directors and staff.

Twelve members attended the session which proved very constructive.

The plan will be formalized in the next few weeks and will form the basis for a museum expansion business plan.

New Outdoor Attractions

Three new outdoor interpretive panels have been added to the museum site this summer.

Funded through the 2008 NENAS summer student program, the panels tell the story of the Peace River from its formation after the ice age to the construction of the two BC Hydro dams.

Another addition is a “Fossil Dig for Kids” where children can excavate fossil samples out of a sand pit.