Today we were in Britannia Village for its grand opening and I decided to seize the opportunity to finally visit the Britannia Mine Museum. I have long driven past this historic tourist attraction and have never stepped foot on the grounds until today. For the longest time, this was the only reason to stop in Britannia. Now the Village will bring in more tourists and visitors to the area and the mine.
This year, the Britannia Mine Museum celebrated its 50th Anniversary. This is five decades of preserving and sharing the rich history of Britannia’s mining past. To celebrate this landmark the museum has launched their 50th Anniversary Exhibit: A Museum’s Journey, which looks back on how the museum has changed and developed since its founding in 1975. This is but one of the man exhibits you can take in during the self guided portion of your visit.
Split into several exhibits across several historical buildings with unique artifacts like giant haul trucks.
The experience starts at the Beaty Lundin Visitors Centre, where touchscreen displays and interactive exhibits give guests a new perspective of what mining means to our everyday lives. There is even a Mining Hall of Fame, where you get to know the personalities behind Canadian mining.
The Britannia Story was told within the walls of a lovingly-restored heritage building. It was full of amazing stories and archival photos, where you could learn about the annual Copper Queen pageant and even take a seat on the original throne for a great photo op.
The Mineral Gallery showcased the diversity of all the mineral found within the land. There was gold that sparkled and fluorescent minerals that glowed under black light.
The Terra Lab Exhibit explores Britannia’s journey of environmental remediation and the importance of sustainable practices in mining today.
My favourite exhibit was the Gold Panning, where visitors were able to pan through troughs set at different heights. Any gold and gemstones found you can keep.
I was awarded bits of pyrite for my efforts, which is also known as Fool’s gold.
The highlight of the museum is definitely the Underground Tour that gives you a glimpse into life at one of British Columbia’s largest historical copper mines. You start by dawning a safely helmet and boarding the mine train, just like miners did in 1914. The trip takes you into an early haulage tunnel, where our tour guide demonstrated the use of mining equipment, waking us through the process and giving us a glimpse of what this working day life was like.
Mining is a three step process and we were walked through all of it from Drilling, Blasting, and Milling. We learned how loud the machines are, how cold and dark the conditions were, and all the health concerns the workers faced daily.
We saw first hand the innovations of drills and light sources used and learned how this mine once provided 1/3 of the world’s copper. It brought people from all over the world to work it. So many families that the town adopted sporting teams and beauty pageants.
The tour ends at BOOM! This is the mine’s award winning, multi-sensory attraction. Audiences discover what happens during the milling process, specifically within Mill No. 3. This is done through lights, sounds, and special effects experience from over thirty speakers, and leading-edge special effects. The show brings up life all 20-storeys of the mine.
Overall, this was a great way to learn about British Columbia’s history with first hand experiences for all the senses.
Britannia Mine Museum
150 Copper Dr, Britannia Beach, BC V8B 1J1
+1800-896-4044
britanniaminemuseum.ca
