THE PROJECT

In response to interest expressed by several institutions in China, Barkerville is developing an exhibit consisting of Cariboo photographs that depict the lives of Chinese in the region. These will be complemented by three dioramas, an interactive computer kiosk and a bilingual book.

This exhibit will examine the history of the Chinese people who came to Barkerville, British Columbia over a 100 year period to mine and carry out business. It will be about those who returned home to China and those who made new homes in Canada. Historic Barkerville photographs and the portraits of Chow Dong Hoy, a Chinese photographer, will be featured. The exhibit Who Am I? will explore these people’s lives, aspirations and work. It will also ask the question: 

Who were they as individuals? History has treated them as a group and few details, including their names, have been recorded. The intent of the exhibit is to reach out to these people’s descendants and gather stories to identify who they were, where they came from and went to, how they lived and when. By doing this, it is hoped that a greater understanding of the Chinese in the Cariboo will be achieved.

Work on this exhibit will begin as soon as possible. Upon its completion in the spring of 2012, the exhibit will first be showcased in Prince George, in conjunction with the UNBC Academic Symposium, before travelling to China. The symposium’s focus will be Barkerville, which celebrates its150th anniversary that year. Preliminary discussions are taking place in regard to potential exhibit venues in China. The exhibit is expected to tour for a year to 18 months to places such as Hong Kong, Taishan, Kaiping, Jiangmen and Guangzhou.

Please join us for the Barkerville Exhibit Opening Reception & Press Conference at the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, Vancouver, BC on Thursday, December 13th, 2012, 10:00AM to 12:00PM.