The Big Ride – Stepping back in time (Fort Nelson BC Heritage Museum)

As you know from my past blog a part of my trip north included a stop in Fort Nelson, BC, one of the towns where I was raised.  You might wonder what there would be to do in a little northern town like that?  Well that’s what I would like to share with you in this blog.

After checking into my room at my friends motel, Kacee Northern Suites, I went up the road to the Fort Nelson Heritage Museum where I was reconnected with Marl Brown, the curator of the museum and the Fort Nelson Historical Society.  What an amazing experience that turned out to be!

Marl lived only a few blocks from the street where I was raised and at that time he already had a fine collection of antique automobiles.   In addition to his collection, he was an individual that was well known throughout the community for his love of the past, his fine sense of humour and his beard.  Yes, his beard!  If you’ve lived in the north you know about Trapper Days or what we called a Rendezvous.  Marl Brown was the long time champion of the beard growing contest and to this day he is still referred to as “The Mad Trapper”.

A tour of the museum revealed an incredibly rich history that encompassed the construction of the Historic Alaska Highway, memorabilia collected from the local townsmen and of course Marl’s awesome car collection.  To say that there were thousands of exhibits would be an understatement!

Here is a sampling of what I found most interesting during my visit to the Fort Nelson Heritage Museum.

This was only a glimpse of what I saw at the museum.  There was a lot more to see including multiple outbuildings with artifacts that are far too numerous to mention.  In closing, I hope that you enjoyed it as much as I did.

From here I am northward bound and my journey continues to be amazing…even with four wheels under me instead two.