FinalBPMAnnualAccomplishmentReport2018

BRALORNE
PIONEER MUSEUM
Annual Report
2018

Table of Contents
President’s Report ...................................................... 2
Operational Update .................................................... 3
Bridge River Gold ....................................................... 4
Collection Management Project ................................ 5
Transition 2018............................................................ 7
Financial Report 2018............................................... 10

President’s Report
This year we lost one of our most dedicated volunteers, patrons and resident of Bralorne and Gun Lake, Norm Gronskei..
We have established a fund in his name to raise enough funding to professionally produce his stories in a book that will
help the Museum and the Mountain Telegraph to sustain themselves financially and to keep his tories, and our history
alive!
Andre Kuerbis
President, Bralorne Pioneer Museum Society

Operational Update
• Operating at the temporary museum – 3767 Lillooet-
Pioneer Rd. 40
Emilie Larsen –
Summer Staff
Janis Irvine - Museum
Assistant
• Part time year round staff – 6 hours per week
• Summer staff – weekends – 18 hours per week – May
long weekend – Thanksgiving
• 522 visitors from May to October
• Increased retail sales in Museum with a number of books,
soaps, and maps. Now accept credit cards using Square.
• Regular contributions to Mountain Telegraph newsletter
• 3 Member Updates over 2018
• Maintained Facebook page
• Maintained an Instagram account
• Professionally produced advertising and related marketing
materials
• Snow Queen Robe accepted and sent to the Canadian
Conservation Institute for restoration
• Brexton Sign accepted late in 2018 to the Canadian
Conservation Institute for refurbishing
• Preparation and delivery of “Did you know” script for
staff and volunteers for visitors. Response has been great!
Snow Queen Robe prior to restoration

Bridge River Gold
The much beloved Bridge River Gold book has long
been out of print.
Permission was provided to the Bralorne Pioneer
Museum to have rights to the book and to republish.
The republishing of the book involved:
-having the book transcribed in order to work with a
digital document
-carefully editing the book using a professional editor
and our community committee
-making decisions re editing such as re-ordering
chapters to make more chnronological sense, changing
references to First Nations to be more acceptable in
today’s word, trying to figure out various names and
nicknames
- seeking the original photos
- where original photos were not available, having an
expert scanner scan in and touch up what was available
- working with a professional indexer to produce an
accurate index
- proofing carefully with the proof to catch any
remaining errors
-sending book to print and then picking it up
Pre-Sales and Sales have been excellent with 94 books sold between October and December.
Gross Revenue from those sales is approximately $1,900.
The plan is to continue to sell the book at all local venues as well as act as a distributor to relevant interested
museums and cultural locations in BC.

Collection Management Project
Susan Medville, MA, CAHP
The Bralorne Pioneer Museum established in 1978 consistently followed a protocol for
accessioning and cataloguing items coming into the collection from its start through 1983,
despite not having a formal Collection Management Policy. After the initial period of
collecting the Museum shifted its focus towards operations of its building and keeping its
doors open for the visiting public.
There are no accessions or catalogue records* after 1983 again until 1991 when seven items
were recorded, in 1993 twelve records were created and 18 records in 2005. No artifacts were
accessioned with a record from 2005 until 2015. In 2005, 781 had been catalogued on paper
filing cards.
In 2010 the Museum recognized the need to continue with the cataloguing of its estimated
10,000 item collection and explored the possibility of bringing its cataloguing system up to
date and utilizing a computer system to do so. However, at that time funding was not available
to pay for the man-hours to complete the project or purchase conservation supplies to care for
the collection.
By 2015 the structure the Museum was located in had significantly deteriorated and had no
climate control nor working plumbing. With increased environmental hazards threating the
collection, the Museum with the help of a team of volunteers moved its operations and the
most vulnerable parts of its collection to the Hurst Building located on Bralorne Road. In this
location there is space for storage, archival files, and a workspace to conduct conservation
work that has climate control and plumbing. In the fall of 2017 the remainder of the collection
from the old Museum was transported by volunteers to a storage area in the Bralorne Pioneer
Mines Office Building (BPMO), including many heavy objects such as mining equipment.
In 2015, in conjunction with the move a Museum Collection Management Policy was
developed. The document provides a foundation and framework for consistent and systematic
collections care. It defines the policies and procedures governing the collections. It is the
Museum’s fundamental document governing the scope and limitations of its intended
collection together with standards for its acquisition, documentation, preservation, security
and management. The policy provides a complete registration system insuring that each of the
objects in permanent or temporary custody of BPM is given an immediate and permanent
means of identification; its source is identified, and its status and disposition are recorded. It
ensures that each object taken into the collection is documented and will be preserved
according to professional museum standards.

Beginning in 2016 with the purchase of the Past Perfect Cataloguing Software, and three part
time staff in place, the Museum began to truly gain control over its artifacts and archival
records. Staff worked to become familiar with the software by beginning with the data entry of
each of the past 781 hand written catalogue records. With this task completed, in 2017, staff
began systematically cataloguing photographs and small objects in the collection, matching to
and updating with the data now in entered into the Past Perfect System and creating new
records as needed. This is highly detailed work, requiring multiple steps, where consistency
and sound historic research is crucial. In 2017, 240 accessions took place with 1,667 unique
items catalogued and stored in a manner allowing for long-term conservation.
As the staff became more familiar with the process the creation of the records and correct
storage for the artifacts has increased in speed with 1,639 unique items catalogued from
January 2018- October 2018. This includes the cataloguing of 520 maps and mining operation
and development plans, working towards the identification of the mining equipment stored
outdoors at the old Museum location, and archiving 1,030 photographs. Overall there was a
161% increase in entries in Past Perfect from 2017 to 2018.
With close to 4,000 items now locatable, catalogued, and properly stored for long term
conservation, the museum has the established control over a portion of its collection and the
ability to serve the public’s research requests.
It is estimated that the staff has catalogued and cared for approximately half of the items
currently stored in the Hurst Building over the past two years of part time work. Among the
items left to catalogue in this location are approximately five linear feet of mine related log
books, 14 2’x3’ blue bins with small artifacts and archival materials, four-five large business
signs, and 10 linear feet of books. In the BPMO there are approximately 300 square feet of
larger artifacts stored. It is feasible at the current rate of work with now experienced staff in
place the entirety of the Museum’s currently held collections could be catalogued within a
three year period.
The conservation work taking place to date has allowed the Museum to preserve both digitally
and physically, the extraordinary collection of the area’s history for the education of future
generations.
*Accession records acknowledge an item or items which the Museum has acquired, an
accession number is assigned to the item or items which would come from one source at one
time. For example, a box of photographs, with a book and a hat from a single donor at a single
time receives an accession number and record. An accession number has two parts (Year.
order the accession came in) 2018.1.
After the accession record is created the items are catalogued. Each item is unique and
receives its own three-part number and descriptive catalogue record (Year. Order accession
came in. Unique item.) 2018.1.1.

Transition 2018
In June 2017 the Bridge River Valley Community Association purchased the Bralorne Pioneer Mines Office
building with the intent to rehabilitate a portion of the building and reloate the Bralorne Pioneer Museum, which
was the original home of the Bralorne Pioneer Museum when it was first established in 1977.
Prior to its purchase, an NDIT Capital Analysis Project Review (formerly known as the Feasibility Study
Program) was conducted by Cadence Strategies regarding the acquisition and renovation of th Bralorne Pioneer
Mines Office as a new home for the Bralorne Pioneer Museum along with complimentary adaptive reuse of the
building to provide other community benefits that support local economic development and that contribute to a
sustainable financial operating model. It was determined that a mixed-use model, including lodging, office
spaces, classroom space, and long-term home for the Bralorne Pioneer Museum would be an ideal fit for the
space and the community.
Image: Doyon Collection, 1939
ACTIVITIES: Since the purchase of the building, the Bridge River Valley Community Association has been
active in moving the rehabilitation project forward with the following activities:
• Submitted grant funding applications to Norther Development Initiative Trust, Squamish-Lillooet
Regional District - Area A, Enabling Accessibility Fund, and Capital Gaming Grants;
• Hosted visioning workshops with BRVCA Heritage Committee and Stakeholders to determine
utilization of space within the building;

• Held initial consult with local contractor to identify his perspective of foreseen work for rehabilitation –
as is drawings compiled by contractor;
• Met with SLRD Building Inspector who identified necessary requirements to be approved for
renovation building permit – noting a registered architect would be required;
• In March 2018, Robertson Architecture was engaged to assess the existing building, conduct a review
and analysis of previously prepared reports and proposed scope of items from the BRVCA, and review the BC
Building Code implications of the proposed change in use of the north-northwest portion of the building. A
"Project Definition Report" has been written to guide the project. This report includes the development of
expanded and phased project scope, preliminary design drawings, and cost estimates. Recommendations were
made to have existing condition building reviews conducted by Structural, Mechanical, and Electrical Engineers
to ensure all planning work moving forward is to Code Compliance.
CHALLENGES: The BRVCA purchased the building with the intent to house the Bralorne Pioneer Museum
and with the understanding that some structural work would be required to ensure life safety requirements.
However, unexpected changes in the Building Codes, zoning permits for building use, and firewall
requirements have brought forward the realization that outside expertise is necessary to make the plans so that
the BRVCA an obtain a building permit and bring the building up to code for its intended contemporary use.
Meeting the requirements of the Building code will require a much greater expenditure than was expected at
the time of purchase of the building. Estimates for these costs are outlined in the Project Definition Report.
Other challenges faced include difficulties in finding qualified professionals willing to travel to the Bridge
River Valley to carry out on-site inspections and assessments, as well as limited funding to obtain professional
leadership from Architects, Engineers, and Code Specialists.
Image: Doyon Collection, 1939
MOVING FORWARD: The next proposed steps include:

• November 2018- Secure Robertson Architecture to coordinate the hiring of necessary professionals
including the Structural, Mechanical, and Electrical Engineers as well as the Code Consultant to ensure life
safety requirements, code compliance, and project advancement;
• November 2018- Site visits beginning with Structural Engineer and review of project by Code
Consultant;
• November 2018- BRVCA to continue to pursue Heritage Designation for the Bralorne Pioneer Mines
Office building as it was identified as a priority by the Heritage Committee;
• November -December 2018- Continue to seek grant funding opportunities for project phase
components;
• January-February 2019- Architect incorporates recommendations of Structural Engineer and Building
Engineer into panning. Determines if services of Mechanical and Electrical Engineers are needed. Creation of
Architectural Plans incorporating Engineers’ and Code Consultant’s recommendations;
• February-March 2019- Seek approval from SLRD Building Department of architectural plans for
building;
• March-April 2019- Tendering;
• May-June 2019- Begin construction.
Thank You!
The Bralorne Pioneer Museum would like to thank all of its volunteers, staff, contractors, donors and
supporters. We have made wonderful progress this year towards the long terms goals of sustainability.
We would also like to thank Susan Medville, our heritage consultant. We literally could not have done what we
have without her knowledge, experience and support. Susan Medville, M.A., member of Canadian Association
of Heritage Professionals is the Principal of Mountain Heritage. She is a historian, cultural resource specialist
and heritage and museum planner. She also happens to love riding dirt bikes and mountain biking and has a
good friend in Bralorne. Our luck and good fortune. Thank you Susan for all your work, it is appreciated.

Financial Report 2018
• While final posting for 2018 have not yet been completed it appears that we received $450 in licence fees
for the Time Traveller photo.
• Gross revenue for miscellaneous books, tshirts etc. was $424 and thus far presales and sales of the
republished Bridge River Gold is at approximately $1356. Please keep in mind these are gross revenue and
not yet the surplus as we have not completed postings, however this is a vast improvement over the last
number of years.
Donations
This year the Museum worked very hard to increase its donor base and total donations.
• Total number of donors(though all methods,Canada Helps, cheque etc) increased from 17 in 2017 to 51 in
2018.
• Donations to General Fund to December 31, 2018 - $7,588.45
• Of this, $1,562 were given with membership fees
• Visitors to the museum donated $928 (an average of $1.78 per person)
• Two special donations, one from John Robins towards the collection management project and the other from
Mike Galliazzo towards the shipping costs for the Brexton sign for refurbishing.
• $200 was received in honor of Norm Goneski
• Improvements in our use of online giving platform Canada Helps was notable! Two major international
fundraising drives were completed using the platform, Great Canadian Giving Challenge and Giving
Tuesday.

Other revenues
• The museum received a tax requisition from the SLRD of $14, 683
• This year specific project/purpose grant funding was received from the SLRD to professional digitize
and republish the Bridge River Gold book. Additionally, $10,000 was received to assist with the
Collection Management Project.
• Finally, an additional $53,000 was received from the Northern Payment In Lieu of Taxes fund (SLRD)
to assist with leveraging other grant sources and completing professional work on the Bralorne Pioneer
Mines Office building so the Museum can relocate there.
Expenses
Operational expenses for 2018 will be approximately $26, 500 when all is done.
Of that approximately $12,000 is staffing which includes one staff, 6 hours per week for 46 weeks and summer
staff on the weekends May to October. Summer staff salary is augmented from the Collection Management
project expenses as that weekend staff spent all non-public time on that project.
Overall Financial Picture
Great progress was made towards financial sustainability in 2018, however the Museum is not there yet.
The Museum now prepares a budget for each year and produces variation reports which are reviewed by both
the Heritage Committee and Bralorne Pioneer Museum Board of Directors.
For 2019, despite budgeting for increased donations and fundraising, we expect to have a $3800 operational
shortfall and will request a Grant In Aide from the SLRD to assist. Of concern is the ability to continue the
Collection Management project that has made such great progress and we are actively seeking sources of
funding for that project.
We have included the Financial Statements from 2017 in this report as the fiscal year has just completed and we
do not yet have those financial statements.