Barkerville Heritage Trust will be the new operator of Cottonwood House effective April 1, 2015, Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson announced today.

Under the one-year agreement, the trust will manage the property for public and recreational use. A longer-term agreement may be considered.

The Barkerville Heritage Trust is assuming management of Cottonwood House from Quesnel School District 28. After managing the site for 11 years and providing work experience for hundreds of high school students, the school district decided it no longer wanted to manage the site.

Cottonwood is one of a few remaining roadhouses in B.C. Built in the 1860s it provided accommodation, meals and provisions for miners and travellers going to Barkerville and the Cariboo gold mines or south to Williams Lake and Victoria. In 1999, previously purchased parcels by the Province were consolidated and designated in their entirety under the Heritage Conservation Act. Today, Cottonwood House consists of heritage buildings, a working farm, wheel-chair accessible trails and camping sites.

Quotes:

Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development and MLA for Cariboo North Coralee Oakes -

“I am a passionate supporter of our heritage and I also understand the importance of attractions such as Cottonwood House to support our tourism sector. Having an agreement with Barkerville Heritage Trust enables us to work as a region to diversify our economy and take advantage of the Gold Rush Trail exhibit moving throughout the province in 2015.”

Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Steve Thomson -

“Our long-term goal is to have our historic sites become financially self-sufficient. This one-year agreement with the Barkerville Heritage is a step in that direction.”

Barkerville Heritage Trust CEO Ed Coleman -

“Having been part of the restoration of Cottonwood House when I was with School District 28, I am familiar with the site and look forward to continuing with preservation efforts.”

Learn More:

To learn more about BC Heritage sites, visit:
http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/topic.page?id=499BEC462CB84EC48D983C16E0404090

To learn more about Cottonwood House Historic Site, visit: http://www.cottonwoodhouse.ca/

Media Contacts:

Greig Bethel
Media Relations
Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations
250 356-5261