Editor,
I am writing in response to the "Mining museum adopts Britannia's name" article in theAug. 20, edition of the Squamish Chief newspaper.
My main question would be is the (now Britannia Mine) Museum changing its name mainly due to the transformation or because there is now a sole focus on mining that took place in Britannia and not the rest of British Columbia?
If you have ever visited the museum you would know there are two different stories or themes that take place.
First you may look around at the different buildings/displays and see exhibits from mines throughout British Columbia and even some that come from outside of the province.
This would tell me right away that this museum does not just represent Britannia but all of British Columbia. Hence the former name BC Museum of Mining. The name seems fitting.
However, once you are taken on a guided tour you now learn of a new story and that is of what it was like to be a miner in Britannia from 1904 to 1974.
You get an idea of how living, working, and playing in Britannia was a way of life despite its challenges and rewards.
So even though to some it may just be a name change, there is a lot to be said in just a name. As Meagan Robertson writes, "the museum was established in 1971 to preserve B.C.'s mining history."
Not just the history ofThe Britannia Mining and Smelting Company (the mine's first name when it opened in 1904), but this museum represents mines across British Columbia. So now I must ask a few more questions.
Will the mining museum now be discarding out any exhibits, displays, donations, or even contributions from other mines in British Columbia as it does not represent Britannia Mine?
And when the decision was made to change the name from BC Museum of Mining to Britannia Mine Museum to the museums entire membership? How many people took place in the actual vote or decision out of how many members total?
Are residents of Britannia Beach members of the museum or justneighborsto the museum? Like the McNair family for example?
As a former employee of the museum as a tour guide I love the museum and everything it stands for. I love the vision and the progress moving forward. I look forward to the official grand opening weekend and I plan to continue to support the museum by becoming a member myself.
Perhaps I am out of place in sharing my thoughts publicly like this, however, I wanted to let Trish McNair know she is not alone in the discomfort in the change of name.
It does seem like the "museum has just downgraded" as it reminds me of an infamous quote still used today, "it's all in a name."
Michael Enders
Squamish
