[Bcma-l] Langley Centennial Museum Celebrates!

[bcma-l@museumsassn.bc.ca]

Langley Centennial Museum Marks BC's 150th Anniversary

 
Momentous events unfolded in 1858 when the Fraser River gold rush
resulted in the creation of the Crown Colony of British Columbia. A
century later, British Columbians commemorated these defining events in
our history with great energy and enthusiasm. Now, on the one hundred
and fiftieth anniversary of the creation of the mainland colony, the
Langley Centennial Museum shows how we celebrated 1858 in 1958.

A whimsical new exhibit at the Museum titled "Century Sam Meets a
Princess: 1958 Remembered" presents some of the obvious pride shown by
Langley and BC residents in their community's and province's history
that unfolded at Fort Langley in 1858. The high levels of activity,
interest, and involvement in the celebratory events showed that the 1958
centennial was a 'Big Deal' for British Columbians of the day. "Century
Sam Meets a Princess" is open through August 17th during this
"sesquicentennial" year.
 
The exhibit begins with the "gold fever" in 1858 that led as many as
30,000 Americans and others to flood into the Fraser River Valley in
search of their fortunes. Among the gold rush items on display, a
guidebook and map published quickly in 1858 shows how many attempted to
"mine the miners" in the midst of their gold fever. Also on view are
some personal belongings of stalwart defender of British sovereignty,
Governor of the new colony James Douglas. These objects connect us to
the momentous events of the gold rush and the desperate efforts to
preserve British sovereignty. At the time, Americans were loudly voicing
"it's ours boys!" sentiments. 

The exhibit presents some of the major 1958 centennial events and shows
many examples of the vast array of memorabilia including the large
"Langley" candle that was part of BC's six (6) ton one hundredth
birthday cake that was ceremonially sliced by royal visitor HRH Princess
Margaret.  

As the exhibition title suggests, BC's centennial mascot, the "pixy
prospector" Century Sam, actually did meet Princess Margaret. The 1958
celebrations revolved around these two symbolic figures. The ubiquitous
Century Sam character represented the volcanic events of the gold rush
that led to the creation of the mainland colony. One hundred years after
the gold rush, Princess Margaret was an extremely popular symbol of the
preservation of British sovereignty in the face of the real danger of
the loss of the British territory to the United States. 

Also see how one important centenary project-the establishment of the
Langley Centennial Museum in 1958-has helped the citizens of Langley
preserve and access their heritage over the past fifty years. The Museum
is a Township of Langley facility that has a proud history of service to
Langley and remains committed to connecting and involving citizens with
their cultural heritage. 

Located at 9135 King Street at Mavis in Fort Langley, the Museum is open
Mondays through Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. and Sundays from
1:00 to 4:45 p.m. Admission is free of charge. Donations are encouraged.

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Image caption: HRH Princess Margaret learns how to pan for gold from
'Century Sam,' Prince George, July 18th, 1958. Courtesy of The
Exploration Place