Cariboo/Fraser-Ft. George RD's commit to Barkerville Schoolhouse Project

Joint Release of Cariboo & Fraser-Fort George Regional Districts:

The Cariboo Regional District and Regional District of Fraser-Fort George are providing a total of $10,000 in grants to Barkerville Heritage Trust to support the construction of a replicate Williams Creek Schoolhouse.

Each Regional District is contributing $5000 to Barkerville’s efforts to rebuild the Williams Creek Schoolhouse. The 12 Electoral Areas of the Cariboo Regional District along with member municipalities of 100 Mile House, Quesnel, Wells and Williams Lake contributed equally to raise its $5,000 grant.

The original schoolhouse was destroyed by fire decades ago.  Currently, school children and their teachers on fieldtrips have their 1860 “Schoolhouse Experience” in a cramped space less than half the size of the original school. 

Barkerville is a vibrant National Historic Site of Canada whose role is the preservation, conservation and sharing of history of the region and the great Cariboo Gold Rush.  Every year, teachers bring their classes to Barkerville to learn about life in the 1860’s – be it the science and technology of mining, domestic and school life or the social, cultural and economic aspects of this pioneering town.

 “We are excited to contribute to this exciting project,” says Cariboo Regional District Chair, Al Richmond.  “Over 2,000 students from across BC visit Barkerville every year. It will be great to have a space that can better accommodate these groups while still ensuring an authentic 1800’s schoolhouse experience.”

“We are pleased to join with the Cariboo Regional District to support the Williams Creek Schoolhouse project,” says Art Kaehn, Chair of the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George.  “This is a tangible example of how two organizations can come together to support a place like Barkerville, which is an incredible tourism and cultural resource for our area of the province.”

The funding announcement was made during a joint meeting between the two Regional Districts held in Barkerville on Friday: a first for the two Regional Districts.  As part of the festivities, both Regional Districts signed the “Barkerville Accord”, where they both agree to work collaboratively on issues of mutual interest in advancing the economic well-being and prosperity of the North and Central regions of BC.