Wells Museum and Historical Society

Wells Museum and Historical Society Preserving the history and telling the stories of life and work in Wells, BC, a little hard rock mining town with a rich history and a vibrant community.

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Have you checked out the WHS' auction yet? Featuring 20 lots at the time of writing with something for everyone's budget...
08/09/2026

Have you checked out the WHS' auction yet? Featuring 20 lots at the time of writing with something for everyone's budget, this auction absolutely can't be missed! Check out https://www.facebook.com/WHSAuction to find some unforgettable deals!

These core samples were likely collected by the Island Mountain Mine, showing how rich in gold the area around Wells is....
08/06/2026

These core samples were likely collected by the Island Mountain Mine, showing how rich in gold the area around Wells is. Also featured in these samples are silver, copper, and iron, common finds when hard rock gold is present.

Come visit the Wells Museum to learn about the history of gold mining in the area, and how it both enriched and shaped the area around Wells

Sanders Avenue, Wells around 1947. Jim Thomson Collection. WP01701
08/04/2026

Sanders Avenue, Wells around 1947.
Jim Thomson Collection. WP01701

Have you heard about the WHS' auction this year?It's not too late to join in, check out https://www.facebook.com/WHSAuct...
08/03/2026

Have you heard about the WHS' auction this year?

It's not too late to join in, check out https://www.facebook.com/WHSAuction for the rules of the auction and to view all the currently available auction lots. You never know what kind of deals you'll find, and you get to support your local museum in the process!

This chessboard is a one of a kind Wells original. While the story might be lost to time, the creativity of a bored mine...
08/01/2026

This chessboard is a one of a kind Wells original. While the story might be lost to time, the creativity of a bored miner endures. This set is constructed of old drill bits used in hard rock mining, an excellent metaphor for the town of Wells as a whole.

Come visit the Wells Museum to see how Well's history as a hard rock mining town has shaped the area even into the present day!

Join us in wishing a very happy 100th birthday to Ray Hong!Ray Hong was born in Stanley on July 30, 1926, and his family...
07/30/2026

Join us in wishing a very happy 100th birthday to Ray Hong!

Ray Hong was born in Stanley on July 30, 1926, and his family moved to Barkerville later that same year. He spent much of his early life in Barkerville and Wells, where he was an active member of the community, including volunteering for the fire brigade.

Members of The Wells Volunteer Fire Brigade in front of the fire truck. Firehall building in the background. Men identified from left to right are Whitney, M; Titley, Ed; McKelvie, J; Peterson; Johnson, L.A; Bobier, E.L; Adams, B.M; Allen, H; Forman, Jim; Hong, R; Hadfield, Herb; Caron, R; Warawa, N; Stitt, R; Morgan, R; and Halvorsen, V.

Hard rock mining was dangerous, exhausting work, and the miners of Wells needed to unwind between shifts. Wells featured...
07/29/2026

Hard rock mining was dangerous, exhausting work, and the miners of Wells needed to unwind between shifts. Wells featured two movie theaters at one point, the historic Lode Theater and the which still operates today. These gorgeous 35mm film cameras were from the Lode Theater, and entertained countless miners and their families.

Visit the Wells Museum to learn how miners in the 1930's relaxed, and why having a self-sustaining town was so important to their work!

We are now accepting donations for our upcoming fundraising auction. Kindly drop off your items at the museum. Further d...
07/28/2026

We are now accepting donations for our upcoming fundraising auction. Kindly drop off your items at the museum. Further details about the auction will be announced soon.

Cariboo Gold Quartz Mill, Wells. 1960sWP01815
07/28/2026

Cariboo Gold Quartz Mill, Wells. 1960s
WP01815

Being so isolated, Wells needed to be self-sufficient in terms of health care, and dentistry was no exception. Featuring...
07/25/2026

Being so isolated, Wells needed to be self-sufficient in terms of health care, and dentistry was no exception. Featuring an electric drill, a luxury for the 1930's, this dental chair provided much needed care to generations of Wells residents. Just because the electric drill was a luxury, doesn't mean it was pleasant, and anybody who experienced it will have their share of horror stories...

Come visit the Wells Museum and learn all about the domestic lives of hard rock miners from the 1930's. After all, they couldn't stay underground forever, and they needed a town to support them!

Address

4120 Pooley Street
Barkerville, BC
V0K2R0

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 10am - 5pm

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