The museum and the visitor centre adjacent are connected, with access to the museum through the visitor centre. Just as one enters the museum from the visitor centre they will encounter this guest book atop a small lectern and beside the donations box.
The first meeting of the Cariboo Historical Society took place in Wells in March of 1950. The Quesnel Historical Society was established in 1951, by which time members and others had already begun to collect household items, farm machinery, mining and logging equipment, and photographs. These items were stored in basements and sheds until the Federal Building (present post office) was opened in 1953, the Historical Society being given space in the basement to store their artifacts.
Fast forward to 1963.
In 1963 ... plans for a new tourist bureau and museum were approved by council members in February.
It was decided to proceed with the work at once, so that the project would qualify for approval under the Winter Works Incentive Program. The museum, a 20 ft. x 80 ft. block building with a low pitched roof, costing approximately $22,800, was built in LeBourdais Park, much of the work done by the society led to the establishment of the Quesnel and District Museum, opened in August 16, 1963.
Now a problem arose with no paid staff – how to man it. The historical society members were asked if they would volunteer to man the museum, and they did. In 1968, an addition was added to the west side of the building where the present day Tourist Information Centre is located. In 1971, yet another addition was added with a basement to the east side of the building.
In 1987, the Lois Dawson Memorial Wing was added. This wing is climate controlled and houses an exhibit gallery and storage space for archival collections.
From the Quesnel Cariboo Observer
The museum now has a large and eclectic collection of everything and anything one expects to encounter in a Grade A museum, from the tiniest household artefacts to farm wagons and machinery, mining and forestry equipment, even a beautifully restored 1911 White roadster, once a 7 passenger touring car used as a stage running between Quesnel and Barkerville in the 1920s. There are rooms of photographs by well known local photographers C.D. Hoy and C.S. Wing, chronicling much of the early life of the Cariboo. The various coherent displays document essentially all aspects of life in Quesnel.
While the previous short news article dealt with the genesis of the museum, the actual construction followed by the museum's moving into its new digs was yet to be accomplished.
That story is next.
Historical Group Is Planning
Big Moving Day on Tuesday
June 27, 1963 | Quesnel Cariboo Observer
Next Tuesday is moving day for the Quesnel Historical Society for that is the day they will transfer their accumulated historical treasures to the new Quesnel Museum at Louis LeBourdais Park. Some of the problems which face the group before opening the museum to the public were ironed out at a meeting Tuesday evening held at the home of Alvin Johnston, and others were shelved for a further discussion at a later meeting.
Changing of the original plans for the museum and a resultant confusion for successful operation of the building, was brought out by Alderman J.H. Ritchie who told the group that when the solid wall was placed between the tourist bureau and the museum instead of windows and a turnstile as designated in the planned layout, the effective use of paid help in the tourist section was lost.
With the only entry now being by means of double doors at the front of the museum, the Society will be completely responsible for the 12-hour, 7-day week that the council has requested for opening hours, and the whole 84 hours will have to be worked by volunteers.
A motion was made by Alvin Johnston that the Town of Quesnel restore the original plans for the inside of the building, and a further motion was made by Dave Smith to reimburse the council for the changes. Both motions were passed.
A souvenir bar is planned for the museum, the souvenirs to be of original home craftsmanship by organizations and others within this area. Included will be pottery pieces made from Quesnel's own distinctive clay, jewelry fashioned by the many rockhounds in the district, and a varied assortment of items from Women's Institutes in this part of Cariboo.
Moving of thousands of items of historical interest on Tuesday will be a huge operation, with Alderman Ritchie in charge of arrangements for trucking the objects from their various storage places in town...
...Then the task of arranging exhibits will begin, for the members want to open the museum as soon as possible after lighting and display counter problems have been solved.
From the Quesnel Cariboo Observer