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PRESERVING THE CORE OF OUR HISTORY
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| Photo By Robin MacDonald |
The last two remaining Core Sheds from the Britannia Mines face an uncertain future if something cannot be done to prevent the effects of weather and time from taking their toll. With recent record breaking winter conditions, efforts to preserve the history stored within the sheds could not be coming soon enough.
During visits to the BC Museum of Mining, you may have wondered, or perhaps asked your Tour Guide “What are those?” when you notice these two long, narrow, dark and mysterious structures as you emerge from the depths of the underground tunnel and make your way down to the historic Mill Building.
Rows and rows of shallow wooden trays are stacked several feet high and covered by a roof of deteriorating plywood. Lichen and moss grow where the roofing material once was. Blackened by weather and green with mould, these structures hold many secrets, once buried deep within the mountains of Britannia Beach.
In the days when the Britannia Mines were in operation, the miners drilled deep into the mountainside using hollow diamond-tipped drill bits and extracted rock cores. These rock cores were studied and offered valuable insight into the best places to tunnel for ore. A Core Shed is where they would store the rock cores and these are the last two remaining Core Sheds at Britannia Beach.
If the rock cores from one shed were placed end to end they would span nearly 70km! As you can imagine, the sheds had to be very well constructed to hold all that weight. Unfortunately most of the Core Sheds from the Britannia Mines have not withstood the test of time.
However, moss and rotting plywood are not the only problems. Water is seeping down through the shelves. Some of the bottom layers have eroded and are washing away into the earth and gravel below.
If something is not done to preserve these Core Sheds, they will ultimately collapse causing the now organized rock cores to be severely damaged and disarrayed. To save the Core Sheds, a major preservation project for 2009 is in the planning stages. A large timber framed roof will be erected to cover both of the Core Sheds. Clad with metal and overhanging far enough to protect the precious rock cores from the rain, the self-supported roof structure will preserve the trays that will remain in position within the existing sheds. It is an ambitious project that we expect will take around 2,500 man hours and $110,000 dollars to complete. The BC Museum of Mining is working toward securing the funding for this project and work should begin this spring.
by Robin MacDonald
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CONSTRUCTION UPDATE
Phase one of the Britannia Project nears completion |
9/8/2010 |
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COPPER & FIRE - LIVE CONCERT IN THE MILL
Saturday, August 7, 2010 |
6/22/2010 |
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COPPER & FIRE SUMMER ARTS EVENTS
Sunday, August 8, 2010 |
6/21/2010 |
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FATHER'S DAY
With special guest Yukon Dan! |
6/20/2010 |
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ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
MAY 20 IN HISTORIC MACHINE SHOP |
5/20/2010 |
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BCMM WELCOMES PADS
PADS (Pacific Assistance Dog Society) will be here April 16,17 & 18. |
3/25/2010 |
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THANK YOU FINNING CANADA
BCMM Receives a much needed donation! Just in time. |
3/24/2010 |
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PARALYMPIC CROSS COUNTRY ATHLETE ROBERT WATOR VISTS BCMM
On tour with Rory Odenbach at the BC Museum of Mining |
3/22/2010 |
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CALL FOR VISUAL ARTISTS
COPPER & FIRE 2010 |
3/10/2010 |
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OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALISTS WOLFGANG & ANDREAS LINGER VISIT BCMM
Austrian brothers Wolfgang and Andreas Linger on Wednesday won their second consecutive gold medal in men's doubles luge |
2/19/2010 |
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CORE SHED PRESERVATION PROJECT -NEW PHOTOS 2/2010
Project COMPLETE |
2/18/2010 |
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RENOVATION OF OUR COPPER SULPHATE BUILDING
A previously unused building receives a whole new purpose! |
2/18/2010 |
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THE CUSTOMS SHED HAS COLLAPSED
The old building could not hold up in heavy winds and rain |
11/25/2009 |
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THE BC MUSEUM OF MINING ON FLICKR
Check out all the construction photos! |
11/24/2009 |
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BRITANNIA PROJECT PRESENTATION CENTRE NOW OPEN
Maps, renderings, info and more! |
11/24/2009 |
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RENOVATION OF OUR ADMINISTRATION BUILDING -UPDATED
Check out the progress in our series of photos. |
10/28/2009 |
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THE BC MUSEUM OF MINING ON FACEBOOK
Are you on facebook? So are we! Join the BC Museum of Mining group on facebook. Connect, share photos, keep in touch and more! |
10/28/2009 |
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THE CULTURAL JOURNEY -UPDATED AUG 25
Experience the journey of the Squamish and Lil'wat nations |
8/25/2009 |
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BRITANNIA PROJECT UPDATE
Location location location |
8/4/2009 |
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HUNTER DICKINSON DONATION
The Britannia Project received another fantastic donation from Hunter Dickinson |
8/4/2009 |
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BRITANNIA FOLKS KEEPING IN TOUCH
One of the best parts of summer is that many Britannia folks drop by for a visit |
8/4/2009 |
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OFFICE RENOVATION
Amazing 'before' and 'after' photos |
6/28/2009 |
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FUNDING RECEIVED FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF CANADIAN HERITAGE
The BC Museum of Mining receives funding for 'Copper & Fire' and for much needed enhancements to our Collection |
6/22/2009 |
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BC MUSEUM OF MINING NOW ON TWITTER
We joined Twitter! Now keep up to date on what's happening at the Museum with photos, news and more on Twitter! |
6/22/2009 |
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PHOTOGRAPHY AND GLASS ART EXHIBIT ON NOW
Photography by Lawrence Hislop and Glass works by Jeina Morosoff |
6/8/2009 |
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ANNUAL PROVINCIAL MINE RESCUE AND FIRST AID COMPETITIONS
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6/6/2009 |
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GATEWAYS TO OUR PAST PROJECT NOW COMPLETE
Sounds of the Mill - heard for the first time since its final day of operation |
4/8/2009 |
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BC MUSEUM OF MINING ANNOUNCES 12K IN SUBSIDIES FOR BC FIELD TRIPS
Assisting BC Teachers with rising Transportations Costs |
3/1/2009 |
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ENDOWMENT PROGRAM RESULTS - $174,800.
$87,4000 raised and being matched by the BC Arts Renaissance Fund’s endowment program. |
1/12/2009 |
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PRESERVING THE CORE OF OUR HISTORY
The last two remaining Core Sheds from the Britannia Mines face an uncertain future. |
1/9/2009 |
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INNER CITY SCHOOL KIDS HIT THE ROAD AND STRIKE GOLD
Lord Stratchcona Elementary School field trip. |
10/30/2008 |
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PARTNERSHIP WITH WEST COAST RAILWAY HERITAGE PARK
All aboard! Your BC Museum of Mining Membership gets you free admission to the Railway Park! |
10/29/2008 |
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THE LIME TANK REHABILITATION PROJECT IS NOW COMPLETE!
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10/23/2008 |
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