Cultural Road Trip to Discover BC’s Heritage Sites

A lot of people seem to think there isn’t much to find when it comes to our past, but our province is teeming with history! It’s just that many of us haven’t had the chance to visit the various heritage sites spread out across British Columbia because, well, let’s face it, our province is pretty big. While plenty of museums and exhibits can be found in our bigger metropolitan areas, there is so much more to discover once you get away from the hustle and bustle of the big cities. 

To discover some of our lesser-visited spots, we’ve compiled a list of a few key places you should check out on a cultural road trip with stops in New Denver, Revelstoke, Wells, Prince George, and Prince Rupert. Each area pays homage to the key industries that shaped us as a province—just think logging, mining, and even fishing! 

However, it’s important to remember that not all history is positive, and that’s why it’s even more vital to pay respect to sites that showcase our less favourable moments. After all, James Baldwin said it best: “History is not the past. History is the present. We carry our history with us.”

The Nikkei Internment Memorial Centre and New Denver 

Start your historical journey headed east along Highway 3 as you make your way into the Kootenays. Nestled along the sloping shores of the Slocan Lake and beneath the ridges of the Selkirk Mountains, make sure you check out the Nikkei Internment Memorial Centre in New Denver. 

Dedicated to telling the story of over 22,000 Japanese Canadians who were uprooted from their homes during the Second World War, this site contains original buildings from the internment, period artifacts, interpretive displays, as well as the Heiwa Teien Peace Garden. Perhaps a harder history to accept, it’s a beautiful centre that pays homage to those impacted by this injustice. 

Be sure to also check out the Silvery Slocan Museum while passing through New Denver and learn more about the area’s heritage in mining, logging, and agriculture. It’s even located on the top floor of the historic Bank of Montreal building. 

 

The Last Spike and Revelstoke  

Perhaps one of the most inconspicuous sites for BC’s history is the Last Spike at Craigellachie, right on the side of the Trans-Canada Highway. Just 45 km west of Revelstoke, this small space signifies the completion of the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1885, joining all of Canada together on one rail line—a key component of our nation’s unification.  

Technically a small satellite branch of the Revelstoke Railway Museum, the Last Spike includes a seasonal gift shop, picnic area, and monument right beside the main CPR line. It is also an important heritage spot to remember the various contributions of Chinese Canadian labourers who played a vital role in our province’s construction. 

After you’ve checked out the Last Spike, the rest of the museum is a short half-hour drive away, located on the traditional territory of the Sinixt, Ktunaxa, Secwepemc and Syilx Nations. The museum showcases the pivotal role the railway played in creating Canada as a nation, as well as the geography, industry, and movement of people through the mountains of Western Canada.

 

Barkerville and Wells 

Northern BC is home to plenty of iconic historical landmarks that are well worth the scenic—if albeit long—drive from down south. While it may take a day’s trip from the Central Interior to get into the middle half of the province, once there you can easily spend a full week exploring all the North has to offer. 

For example, while heading up Highway 97 take the turn on Highway 26 for one of BC’s most iconic sites when it comes to our gold rush and mining history: Barkerville Historic Town & Park. Located on the traditional unceded territories of the Dakelh (Carrier) and Secwépemc (Shuswap) Peoples, you can find Barkerville just 80 km east of Quesnel and another 8 km east of Wells. 

With more than 125 heritage buildings still standing on the exact spot they were originally built, it’s truly staggering how much you can explore. Complete with a candy shop, restaurants, bakery, blacksmith, court house, theatre, schoolhouses and more, there is so much to experience during your visit, including one classic activity: panning for gold! Barkerville’s Chinatown is also home to the largest collection of pre-railway Chinese buildings in North America. 

 

Huble Homestead and Prince George

Continuing north on your heritage trip, head back along Highway 97 towards Prince George, because the next historical landmark to hit up is Huble Homestead. A turn of the century heritage attraction, Huble Homestead is a living museum and the perfect place to step back in time to settler life along the Fraser River. 

Included in your visit are tours, special events, the iconic Huble House, shopping at the General Store, visits at the Salmon Valley Post Office, as well as learning about traditional practices of the Lheidli T’enneh People at the First Nations fish camp exhibit. But perhaps two of the most attractive activities are butter and ice cream making! It’s a delicious way to spend your day learning about old-fashioned food practices that also includes samples for tasting.

Another heritage stop to check out in the area is the Central BC Railway & Forestry Museum. Learn about the industries that shaped the northern community with acres of artifacts, nine historical buildings, and a working miniature railway where guests can enjoy steam and electric locomotives, massive wooden snow plows, box cars, baggage cars, and a caboose!

 

North Pacific Cannery and Prince Rupert

To get Northwest is probably the hardest and most time consuming for folks from the southern half of the province, but it is well worth the two-day trip from the Vancouver area, especially if you do break it up with stops along the way. It’s a great spot to conclude your cultural road trip because there is so much to see! 

Often called the City of Rainbows, Prince Rupert is a remote community situated on the North Coast of BC and is full of rich local culture and a diverse community. The city sits on the ancestral territory of the Ts’msyen Sm’algya̱x-Speaking Peoples, and there are plenty of museums, art galleries, historical structures, and cultural landmarks for you to explore to learn more about the area. 

But perhaps most iconic is visiting BC’s oldest surviving salmon cannery! Now designated a national historic site and museum, the North Pacific Cannery offers exhibits, guided tours, cuisine inspired by history, as well as the original architecture of the buildings. Learn about the canning line and fishing methods, as well as how the fishing industry played such an important part in our province’s economic and cultural development.