The Cortes Museum and Archives Society presented Cortes Island’s author Judith Williams (in Mansons Hall on Sunday, June 9, 2019) for a book launch and slide show based on her new book, Raincoast Chronicles 24: Cougar Companions, Bute Inlet Country and the Legendary Schnarrs, which examines the history of Bute Inlet and traces the remarkable story of the Schnarr family.
Raincoast Chronicles 24 is an impeccably researched and richly illustrated history of Bute Inlet’s pioneering residents, including August Schnarr and his family. Schnarr, a trapper and a logger in the region from 1910 until the 1960s, was also an amateur photographer who faithfully took a Kodak camera on his many expeditions and used it to capture experiences on the family homestead.
To create this fascinating history of these pivotal pioneers, Judith Williams went on research trips to Bute Inlet and the Homathko Valley, conducted interviews and delved into oral history and old diaries. She also used Schnarr’s extensive collection of photos showing life on the remote BC coast – including those of floathouses, log booms, steam donkeys, residents with giant fish catches, boats and pictures documenting August’s daughters with their pet cougars.
The presentation was entertaining, informative and at times touching. After her talk, Judith signed her books.
