2010 to 2011 – NAMING & CLAIMING: THE CREATION OF BUTE INLET.
(Curated and mounted by Judith Williams with the support of the Vancouver Foundation and the BC Arts Council towards the exhibit creation and a colour brochure.)
Judith created a stunning map of the Bute Inlet area on a huge canvas that hung from the ceiling at the entrance to this major exhibit. Photographs, journals and many artifacts told the stories of early settlers and of Waddington’s doomed road to the BC Interior along the Homathco River. He tried to “hang” a wooden road along the river canyon’s sheer stone walls and his crew caused an Indian war with Chilcotin Natives, five of whom were hanged in Victoria after the massacre of the road crew.
Early settlers included single parent, trapper and logger August Schnarr whose three daughters raised three cougar kittens (two that lived to maturity) as pets.
The mysteries of “Bute Wax” were delved into. Regardless of what formed it, the wax was used to polish wood floors and furniture, and to waterproof coats, pants and boots.
The new Church House Reserve at the mouth of Bute Inlet is followed from boom days to crumbling abandonment.
Two new display cases with sloping glass tops were crafted by Walter Grundmann for valuable Bute artifacts.
After two years this popular exhibit traveled to the Campbell River Museum where it was on display for four months.
