Mark your calendars. The last chance to visit the Bamberton site on a Historical Society-led tour is Aug. 16.
“After that we will be closing our doors forever so this is the last opportunity to hear and see the history of Bamberton, considered to be one of the most important industrial sites in B.C.’s history,” said Bamberton Historical Society President Maureen Alexander.
Tours run from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m.
The Historical Society is being evicted from the lands recently purchased by the Malahat Nation, but the band says it’s working with the group to ensure a smooth transition.
“Malahat is happy to work with Bamberton Historical Society during this transition and provide the necessary supports needed,” said former Chief Michael Harry, who noted it’s the sincere desire of the Malahat Nation to see the Society survive and thrive in a new offsite location but the current and longer-term industrial uses of the site will not permit the group’s continued use of the property.
“Our program at Bamberton will be aggressive and accelerated — it is our intent to invest in the development of growing the Bamberton Industrial complex for the benefit of Malahat Nation and its members,” Harry said. “Along the way, as we have always stated, we will be good business neighbours and our support of the Society during this transition is no exception.”
The band announced the acquisition of 525 hectares of land, including the site formerly known as Bamberton in July. Financed through the First Nations Finance Authority, the deal was more than a year in the making and is just one part of a bigger plan to construct a larger Malahat Nation.
Officials from the Malahat Nation and the historical society met on Aug. 4.
“We are pleased with the outcome of the meeting and with the cooperation of the Malahat First Nation in providing us with short term storage while we locate a permanent home for the Society and its archives and artifacts,” Alexander said.