The butter churn on display is most likely a Maxwell & Sons. They were in business beginning in 1875 in St. Mary, Ontario. There are basically four types of butter churns: plunger, rocker, end over end and the lever. Most barrel or lever churns are on a wooden frame.
It appears that the Maxwell & Sons barrel butter churn were on a metal frame like the one on display. There is a heavy clamp securing the lid. The complete models have a lever that attaches to the frame. The lever is typically about 46" in length with a smooth handle attached.
The lever provides leverage creating a back and forth rocking motion.
voilà! you got butter
Fort St. John North Peace Museum
From its humble beginning officially opening on February 16th, 1984, it has become one of the most popular tourist attractions in the area.
Currently, it is a large museum that can keep one occupied for several hours.
As you wander about the grounds visiting historic buildings moved onsite and a plethora of machinery related to the oil and agricultural industries. One item impossible to miss is a 136 foot tall oil derrick which last worked 143 miles up the Alaska Highway.
Inside the main building, as you enter, is this guest book and be sure to sign the guest book. The exhibits, which deal with all aspects of the Fort St. John area, from the local geology to the local Native peoples to the founding of the first settlement to oil and agriculture.
There is a large display area devoted to "Life on the Homestead". Featuring a old wood stove, several washing machines, ice box and a large display of small kitchen items that would be found in most kitchens.
Also offered by the museum are Educational Programs, Guided Tours, Scavenger Hunts, and Pre and Post Visit Activities.
Fort St. John
The original Fort St. John was established as Rocky Mountain Fort in 1794, making Fort St. John the oldest white settlement in mainland British Columbia. In 1942, Fort St. John became field headquarters for U.S. Army troops and civilian engineers working on construction of the Alaska Highway in the eastern sector.
Fort St. John has a population of about 21,000 residents and is the largest city in Northeastern BC. It is situated along the world-famous Alaska Highway. Fort St. John is located at Historic Milepost 47 of the Alaska Highway, 47 miles north of Dawson Creek where Mile 0 is located and marks the beginning of the Alaska Hwy.
Fort St. John is known as The Energetic City for their large resource base of oil, natural gas, forestry and agriculture.