Lillooet Museum facts for kids
The Lillooet Museum is a cool place to visit in Lillooet, British Columbia, Canada. You can find it right on Main Street. It's located across from a special stone marker called the "Mile '0'" cairn. This cairn shows where the famous Old Cariboo Road used to begin. This road was important for travelers heading to Alexandria in the Cariboo area.
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Discover the Lillooet Museum!
The Lillooet Museum is more than just a museum; it's also the town's official Visitor Centre! It's housed inside a historic building that used to be a church called St. Mary's the Virgin. This church was built in 1961, but it used parts from an even older church from 1860.
What You Can See Inside
The museum is packed with amazing things that tell the story of the Lillooet area. You can explore artifacts from the exciting Fraser Gold Rush and other gold rushes that happened nearby. These items show what life was like for people searching for gold.
Gold Rush Adventures
Imagine people rushing to find gold! The museum has tools, clothing, and other items from the gold rush days. These displays help you understand how challenging and exciting it was to live during that time.
First Nations Culture
You'll also find special artifacts from the First Nations people who have lived here for thousands of years. The museum proudly displays items from the St'at'imc (Lillooet people). These exhibits help us learn about their rich history and culture.
Local Stories and More
The museum also has many belongings, household items, and old photos from families who have lived in the region for a long time. These personal items give you a peek into everyday life in Lillooet's past. One of the most impressive things you might see is the second-largest mounted elk head trophy ever recorded in British Columbia! It's huge!
The Newspaper's Story
Inside the museum, you can also discover the history of the local newspaper, the Bridge River-Lillooet News. This newspaper started way back in 1933. It was founded by a famous couple, Margaret "Ma" Lally Murray and her husband, George Matheson Murray. George Murray was even a politician, serving as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for the Lillooet area. An MLA is like a representative who helps make laws for the province. The museum has the original printing presses and office desk from their newspaper!
