Discover Archeaology 2006
On Thursday, June 29, ASBC Nanaimo Branch held our 5th Annual "Discover Archaeology" Interactive Program at the Harbourfront Library in downtown Nanaimo. It was a raging success! Following on the heals of the library's summer reading program kick off, we saw over 80 participants in a four hour period. I lost count somewhere around 70 and the number could even be closer to 100. Children and adults alike tried their hand at making stone tools, ceramics, mosaic tile, cave painting, spruce root cordage, and ceramic reconstruction. Many passersby stopped to chat and talk about the various displays and handle the faunal specimens we had available. Lots of kids liked breaking the pottery, I made sure to bring them in by saying they would never be allowed to do this at home. I had two boys there for an hour putting stuff back together. I will note for next year though to make sure that my sign saying my books I had for general interest reading are NOT FOR SALE is very large. I got a thorough raking over the coals by one gentlemen who thought it was most unfair that we had books out to look at and that they were not for sale. I guess I have a good library.
Once again I had people come up to me asking advice on what to do about archaeological material on their property or sites they knew of in their area. Events like this show that people are interested in heritage conservation and if we, the ASBC, make ourselves accessible to the public through events such as "Discover Archaeology", we can only further our goals of public education and making heritage conservation a priority in this province.
Overall, I thought this year's event was a great success. A tremendous thanks must go out to the volunteers who worked so hard in the blazing sun: Ken Porteous, Nola and Kara Nahirnick, Jill Stannard, Daphne Paterson, and Valerie Hannan. A special thank you must go to Robbee Salvati, our secretary, who ran all over getting supplies and liased with Home Depot, local potters, Parks and Rec to make this event such a great success. Much thanks must go to Home Depot, Jovich Pottery in Chemainus, Madone Environmental Services, and ASBC Vancouver for supporting our event though supplies and donations.
