By Adam Donnelly

History Afloat kicks of Heritage Week in Kamloops

Feb 19, 2019 | 4:21 PM

KAMLOOPS — 2019 marks the 126th year since the City of Kamloops was officially incorporated, but for years before that the community Kamloops existed as a hub for the region; before the railway rolled through town, the steamboat was king, transporting goods and raw materials up and down both the North and South Thompson Rivers, from Savona to Little Fort to Enderby.

On Saturday, the Kamloops Heritage Commission officially unveiled a sign commemorating the history afloat on the Thompson Rivers and officially kicking off BC Heritage Week in our city.

They were once a lifeline for the communities up and down the shores of the Thompson Rivers and Shuswap Lake. During the mid- to late-1800’s, steam-powered Paddle Wheelers travelled the major waterways of the southern interior, carrying people and goods. On Saturday, the official unveiling ceremony was held for a new sign commemorating that period and the role those vessels played in shaping the region.

“[Paddle wheelers] were very important to the transportation of people and goods from the 1860s to the 1890’s” Kamloops Heritage Commission Chair Andrew Yarmie explained. “As the railways came in, they sort of took over.”

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Matt Macintosh designed the sign, but Saturday was the first time he was able to get down and see it.

“I think it looks great,” Macintosh said. “It doesn’t block the view, I’m happy it has some pretty good stage presence, but still allows the park to be the leader in the show.”

Macintosh told those gathered at the park of the very conscious decisions he made when conceptualizing the piece.

“It is a bit unorthodox, and people might perceive it as wonky,” Macintosh said. “It’s meant to shake up what we often see in signs, which is a sense of authority.”

The Heritage Commission wanted the sign to catch the attention of park patrons whether or not they’re history buffs.

“I think shaking up the way history is presented, making it a little less authoritative, and breaking the bounds of some traditional design approaches makes people feel they can participate and critique a bit more,” Macintosh explained.

The event was the official kick-off to Heritage Week in the city, which runs from February 18th to 24th, and is an opportunity to remember the past and those who built this city, the region and our province. Heritage Commission Chair Andrew Yarmie wants to make sure the history of Kamloops is accessible to everyone in the city.

“What we’re trying to do is create a feeling in the community,” Yarmie said. “By doing that, you encourage a community spirit. I think that’s the importance of heritage.”

The Kamloops Museum and Archives will be hosting some Heritage Week Artifact Chats at the Museum on Thursday, February 21st, at 3:00, and Saturday, February 24th at 11:00 and 3:00 – you can visit their website for more information.