July 17, 2012 | Tips from Travellers >
Smithers, Arts, Culture & History Tours
View a larger image on flickr.com
This afternoon, I had the chance to explore the Bulkley Valley Museum in Smithers. The museum is housed in a beautiful heritage building built in 1925, which used to serve as the Smithers Court House. After signing the guest book, and browsing through the names of visitors from around the world, I began to explore the many exhibits and artifacts on display. I started out with the glacier exhibit, which describes how these awe-inspiring frozen rivers have shaped our beautiful British Columbian landscape. Next I checked out the fossil display, which showcases some fascinating prehistoric remains of the valley. Moving through the rest of the exhibits, I learned all about the social and technological development of Smithers and the Bulkley Valley. One thing I was surprised and interested to learn about was Smithers' "Gift to Civilization"-the invention of the egg carton! Smithers' resident Joseph Coyle created this handy little invention in 1911, as well as many other valuable everyday items like the first automobile anti-theft club and pocket cigarette cutter. I had a chat with the friendly staff, browsed through the cozy gift shop and then went on my way feeling very much informed about the history of the beautiful Bulkley Valley.
June 19, 2012 | Tips from Travellers >
Smithers, Arts, Culture & History Tours
View a larger image on flickr.com
Smithers has many talented local artists, and I recently had the pleasure of enjoying their work in the Art Gallery. In this picture I am standing between 2 beautiful dresses, sewn by a local seamstress. I enjoyed the many paintings, carvings, and unique work the Gallery had to offer, then made my way to the other side of the building, where the Museum is located, to learn all about the history of Smithers. The Museum had lovely displays and was an educational experience to remember: First Nations History, the aviation exhibit, and the summer exhibit - All About Glaciers. Because I am Alpine Alice, I found the Swiss migration to the Valley particularly interesting, I even learned of Smithers' gift to civilization... the egg carton was invented by a man from Smithers, BC! As I left my history lesson and came back to 2012 I took a few minutes to admire this historic building; the Art Gallery and Museum was built in 1925 and was once used as the Smithers courthouse. This is one of the many historic buildings in Smithers that takes you back in time and shows you the beauty and wonder of years gone by.