The Collection  

 We have developed several permanent displays:

In our Main Building:

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our award winning pioneer life display with a 12' high mural depicting life at the lake in the 1920's

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the John Padjen Room illustrating the history of the IWA in Canada

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the Mill Room telling the story of the three mills that were in the Cowichan Lake Area

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other displays include a store, post office, mine shaft and logging display

In the Bell Tower School

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the Wilmer Gold Collection consisting of many large format photos of the logging industry in the 30's and 40's

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a 1940's era classroom display

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the Harry Wright Library containing over 600 books about railways, both their history & operation

In the Mesachie Lake School

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a fine collection of antique logging equipment including power saws and mill equipment

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the Wilmer Gold photography trailer

 

    Our rail display consists of a number  pieces of  rolling stock representative of the rail service in and around the Lake when the railroads ran here.  This includes:

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a 1927 Shay locomotive

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a log car

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a 1916 caboose

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1927 Plymouth locomotive

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 a speeder

 

Our Research Archive includes ...

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Wilmer Gold Photographs

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IWA Collection

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information on local families

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information on local logging industry companies

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over 5000 photographs,

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local newspapers dating back to 1921

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information files

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maps

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plans

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documents

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video and oral tapes.