Families had an opportunity to participate in events and learn about Ladysmith’s history and heritage on Monday (Feb. 21). The Ladysmith Maritime Society (LMS) and the Ladysmith and District Historical Society (LDHS) hosted a family fun day at the docks and heritage building complex for Family Day.
“We are in the middle of B.C. Heritage Week, which is also an annual event and we take the opportunity of B.C. Family Day to hold an event where people can come and just see heritage activities, heritage artifacts and heritage places in the community” said Quentin Goodbody, LDHS president.
The majority of the event was outdoors to accommodate COVID-19 protocols. Families could explore the LMS floating museum, get a harbour tour on a heritage boat and explore the LDHS workshop, which houses the Steam Loci 11, along with other artifacts.
ALSO READ: Ladysmith Maritime Society to build new boat shelters, upgrade floating museum
The LDHS is working to restore the Steam Loci 11 and Goodbody said volunteers have spent about a year cleaning and painting it. They are now replacing missing pieces, as the engine sat outside for a long time.
ALSO READ: Near hundred-year-old workhorse engine returns to Ladysmith
A snowy morning didn’t keep families away from the event — Goodbody said he was surprised at the steady stream of people going in and out of the workshops.
“People are curious and they can wander around and come see — spend as much time as they like, or as little time as they like. We have a number of giveaways.”
The LMS had all its heritage boats out in the open, with plaques describing their history and uses. The event was free for all ages and included an activity book for children to take home and a booklet describing Ladysmith’s waterfront heritage.
Goodbody noted the free booklets were supported financially in part by the province.
The societies host the event every year on Family Day.
@_hay_tyler
editor@ladysmithchronicle.com
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.