Step Back in Time: Art Museums and Heritage Sites in Barkerville
Barkerville is one of British Columbia’s most iconic heritage destinations, offering a fully immersive glimpse into the province’s Gold Rush era. As a preserved 19th-century town, Barkerville Historic Town & Park is a living museum, where history comes to life through interactive exhibits, period architecture, and cultural storytelling.
Explore heritage buildings, including original shops, homes, and a working blacksmith, all carefully maintained to reflect the Gold Rush days. Art and history come together in interpretive displays, performances, and exhibits that showcase the creativity and resilience of the early settlers. From historic churches and Chinese heritage sites to engaging reenactments, Barkerville offers a truly unique experience for history and art lovers alike. Browse our guide below to discover the must-visit museums and heritage sites in Barkerville.
British Columbia’s central interior has been profoundly shaped by gold thanks to a simple, working-class English prospector named William ‘Billy’ Barker who, in 1862, spearheaded a twenty-year, multi-billion dollar industrial revolution that helped build a Province. Today, the extraordinary town of Barkerville (named in Billy’s honour) still stands as a testament to BC’s golden beginnings. With a unique streetscape of 125+ heritage buildings, authentic displays, satellite museums, restaurants, shops and accommodations, there are so many things to do in Barkerville. Declared a National Historic Site of Canada in 1924 and a Provincial Heritage Property in 1958, Barkerville is now the largest living history museum in western North America, where exciting seasonal events and fun-filled daily activities await.
