This summer, trade screen time for mine time at the Britannia Mine Museum, where history and science come together.
Spend a day (or many) exploring the historical copper mine.
Visitors can learn about its past and lasting impacts on the land, water, and the people of Britannia Beach and the larger Squamish region.
Until Sept. 1, the museum is inviting guests on a journey through time, with programs about the history of the small mining towns of Britannia Beach and Mount Sheer, and a scientific journey through the detoxification of the mine sites.
For a hands-on science experience, drop by the Live in the Lab: Chemistry of Cleanup Lab (1 p.m. to 4 p.m. daily), where visitors can explore real-life environmental science and learn how nature and chemistry both play roles in cleaning up mine sites.
"Learn how natural elements like rain, oxygen, and minerals contribute to acid rock drainage, and discover innovative methods used to mitigate its impact," reads the news release.
Visit the Britannia Story building at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. for “Whatever Happened to Mount Sheer” and at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. for the new “Before the Rail and Road” experience. These 10-minute programs include time for questions and conversations.
"While life up on the mountain can be challenging and isolated, the Mt. Sheer townsite, was where miners and their families lived in cottages, bunkhouses and a hotel, which was separate from the Britannia Beach townsite located at the base of the mountain," reads a Britannia Mine news release.
Regarding the "Before the Rail and Road," program, the museum says visitors will "discover how steamships once brought life, labour, and leisure to Howe Sound, turning the Britannia Beach pier into the town’s beating heart."
Visit the museum on BC Day (Aug. 4) to celebrate with games and live music from the ensemble band the Little Mountain Brass Band, which will perform three 30-minute sets at 12 p.m., 1 p.m., and 2 p.m.
The museum’s interactive 50th Anniversary Exhibit is also ongoing until Sept. 21, 2025, taking visitors through the journey of the museum's 50 years of operation.
You can drop by anytime to watch the award-winning Boom! show in the 20-storey mill building, check out the gift shop, wander through the Mineral and Gem Gallery, visit the Beaty Lundin Visitor’s Centre, ride the underground mine train, or try your hand at gold panning.
Located 10 minutes south of Squamish on the Sea To Sky Highway, the Britannia Mine Museum offers a variety of educational adventures for all ages.
For more information, visit the Britannia Mine Museum website.
Auni Dayton is The Squamish Chief’s summer intern and a local high school student.
Editor's note: This story has been corrected since it was first posted to make clear the programs "Whatever Happened to Mount Sheer” and "Before the Rail and Road” are at the specified times, and not running continuously, as was originally implied.
