10 Ways to Immerse Yourself in British Columbia’s Rich Mining Past

The Britannia Mine Museum lets you explore this former copper mine along B.C.’s Pacific coast. — Photo: Britannia Mine Museum

Tug on a headlamp and head underground. Try your hand at gold panning. Browse exhibits that celebrate the people and milestones that have brought British Columbia’s mining industry to where it is today. Wherever you are in the province, there’s sure to be a fascinating family-friendly attraction near by, offering a great way to spend your day, entertain your kids, and learn and look back.

Experience what life was like in the 1800s at this former gold rush town, now billed as North America’s largest living-history museum. It has over 100 heritage structures still standing on their original spots and a sizeable museum collection. Plus there are stagecoach rides and theatrical performances.

Open: Spring, summer and fall, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Entrance fee: yes
Website: www.barkerville.ca

Mining equipment, gold panning, a mineral gallery: there’s no lack of things to do in this historic site, which was once the largest copper mine in the British Commonwealth. One of the "coolest” attractions? A mine train that chugs you into the chilly depths of an early haulage tunnel, just like miners did in 1914.

Britannia Mine, once the largest copper mine in the British Commonwealth. — Photo: Britannia Mine Museum

Open: Year-round, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Entrance fee: yes
Website: www.britanniaminemuseum.ca

Cumberland was a bustling coal mining community from 1888 to 1966, and now the children and grandchildren of the families who built the village keep their stories alive. Take a peek at a replica mine shaft, explore the history of the local railway and view artifacts from Cumberland General Hospital.

Open: Year-round, hours vary
Entrance fee: yes
Website: www.cumberlandmuseum.ca

Can you see the miner’s face? One of the most intriguing aspects of this outdoor tribute to Fernie’s mining past is the optical illusion sculpture. You’ll also weave past educational panels, fun challenges for young children and replicas of fossils.

Open: Year-round, all hours
Entrance fee: no
Website: www.tourismfernie.com/activities/attractions/miners-walk

Ride the rails right from downtown Kimberley through a beautiful valley and into an underground interpretive area. Then take a short walk to the old Sullivan Mine powerhouse. Also explore a reconstructed theatre, the town’s 1902 schoolhouse and a 1922 caboose.

Open: Summer only
Entrance fee: yes
Website: www.kimberleysundergroundminingrailway.ca

The museum’s “The Coal Mine” exhibit takes you into a coal mine shaft and lets you hear stories from former local miners. You can also step right into one of these miner’s homes, built in the 1890s. Plus the museum offers kid-friendly sleepovers.

Open: Year-round, days and hours vary
Entrance fee: yes
Website: www.nanaimomuseum.ca/permanent-exhibit/the-coal-mine

Built on the site of the old Black Bear mine, this museum highlights the industry that tunneled beneath this area from 1890 to 1929. Slip back in time through historical dioramas, from a post office, to a general store, to a busy kitchen and relaxing parlour.

Open: Year-round, days and hours vary
Entrance fee: yes
Website: www.rosslandmuseum.ca

Take an all-round glimpse at BC’s mining history. Learn about coal mining on Vancouver Island, then move on to hard rock mining technology around Rossland. Explore the different types of gold found in the province as you relive the gold rushes.

Open: Year-round, hours vary
Entrance fee: yes
Website: www.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/visit/exhibitions/modern-history-galleries

It’s hard to believe this was once a bustling “silver rush” city. Now you can wander past the few remaining buildings in this ghost town, plus check out a 1908 steam locomotive and Canada’s oldest continuously operating hydroelectric station, built in 1897 and still in use today.

Open: Year-round, all hours
Entrance fee: no
Website: www.sandonbc.ca

“Live the gold rush history.” So exclaims the sign guiding visitors to this historic site, which began as a trading post and grew with an estimated 30,000 gold miners during the gold rush of 1858. Stroll the boardwalk, browse the general store or enjoy some peace in the 1863 church.

Open: Closed in winter
Entrance fee: yes
Website: www.historicyale.ca