Yale expands Living History exhibit
Yale - A Living History has a new exhibit this season with the completion of a Chinese boarding house and bath house.
Email
Print
Letter to Editor
Share
Updated: July 28, 2009 4:15 PM
The Yale Historic Site volunteers and staff have been busy once again working on a new exhibit for Yale-A Living History. Newly finished for this season is a Chinese boarding house and bath house. Thanks to a generous grant from BC Transmission Corporation and helped along by donations from Canex Lumber, Rona Chilliwack, Fraser River Raft and Canyon Cable, amongst others, volunteers have been hard at work adding this exhibit to the already existing 'tent city' which consists of a General Store, Saloon and Miners Tent. Donations of items have also been made by local residents and history buffs up and down the valley.
"We've had donations of Chinese implements, bottles and even a pot-bellied stove and are very grateful for all whom have come forward to help", says exhibit designer, Deb Zervini. "With a limited budget, every donation helps to see our ideas come to life". Coming to life is the concept behind Yale-A Living History. Visitors are invited to peruse the extensive costume inventory and dress for the day, stepping back in time to relive the 1858 boom days of Yale. "We've had a number of school and group tours come through, who have just loved the idea of dressing up". "The tents themselves are designed to give visitors a hands on experience, allowing people to actually touch the displays. The only thing we ask is that you don't jump on the beds", jokes Zervini. " And when you have a large group of young students, it has actually happened".
Also this year at the Yale Historic Site is a newly redone gift store stocked full of old fashioned candy and Hell's Gate Fudge, along with ice cold Dad's rootbeer. "And our gold panning area is redone with new tarps and a new pump system", says Zervini.
"We are getting the site ready for our Second Annual Yale-A Living History showcasing the new Chinese exhibit. The event is scheduled for August 22 between 1-4 pm. Planning is in the works but will include gold panning and other demonstrations, entertainment and more. Also scheduled for the weekend is a 'Fraser Canyon Roots' Basketry workshop co-ordinated by Irene Bjerky. We invite everyone to come out and enjoy all of the different events happening at the Yale Historic Site on the weekend of August 21-23." Preregistration is required for the Basketry Workshops and information for all of the events is available by calling the Yale Historic Site at 604-863-2324.
v2
