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Annual Ashcroft heritage event includes Cache Creek this year

Free event celebrates ‘The Tie That Binds’
15694424_web1_190227-ACC-M-Ashcroft-Picnic-1913
Participants at a joint Ashcroft-Cache Creek picnic in 1913. Photo: Ashcroft Museum and Archives.

The Village of Ashcroft’s annual event in honour of Heritage Week will be taking place between 2 and 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 10, and in acknowledgement of this year’s theme — “The Tie That Binds” — this year’s free presentation will look into some of the history of both Ashcroft and Cache Creek, and will be held at the Cache Creek Community Hall.

The event is being written and organized by Ashcroft Museum curator Kathy Paulos and Ashcroft Cllr. Deb Tuohey. Paulos says that part of the presentation will look at some of the street names in both Ashcroft and Cache Creek, many of which took their names from early settlers in the area.

“Many of those families — such as Brink, Barnes, and Evans — were also connected with each other,” says Paulos. “We’ll be looking at the history of the people and families behind the street names.” She adds that she hopes to include background about one or two names that are outside the towns’ boundaries, such as Minaberriet [sic] Creek southwest of Ashcroft.

Tuohey notes that the two communities are also united by the historic Cariboo Wagon Road, portions of which run through both Ashcroft and Cache Creek. Historically, young people from Ashcroft found employment in Cache Creek, and the towns regularly held joint events, such as community picnics and Mayday celebrations. The presentation will provide some of the history of these events, as well as other things shared by the towns, including schools and churches.

“They used to say that a cowboy went to church twice in his life,” laughs Paulos. “Once to be married and once to be buried.”

There will be a display featuring maps with the road names being discussed, and pictures of the people behind the names. Refreshments will be served at the intermission, which will be longer than usual to give people an opportunity to look at the display, chat, and ask questions. There will also be an opportunity for anyone who wants to to share their memories with others.

Each year, Heritage BC celebrates Heritage Week at the end of February, and encourages schools, libraries, museums, and municipalities to organize an event that showcases local heritage and involves the public. This year’s theme is about the historical threads that interweave memory, culture, place, and practice.



editorial@accjournal.ca

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