“If it’s not grown, it must be mined.” This single idea runs consistently through the award-winning Britannia Mine Museum’s expansive new visitors’ complex. Completely revitalized on the eve of its 40th anniversary with a major three-phase, $15M redevelopment, the museum is now a vibrant, internationally-recognized destination.
3DS built all the interpretative displays in the new Beaty-Lundin Visitor Centre, which houses several theatrical mining and mineral exhibits. Part of the museum puts visitors in what appears to be an actual mine, with simulated dynamite explosions – a sure-fire hit with the kids. In contrast, the main gallery presents polished, technological displays, and the Centre’s showpiece, a “Mining Tornado,” displays everyday items touched by mining. In the Britannia A-Z Exhibit Hall, a restored heritage building, visitors are swept back in time with stories of the Britannia community between 1904-1974, when it was an active mining town.
The Canadian Museums Association honoured the Britannia Mine Museum with its Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Facility Development and Design category. The awards committee was unanimous in their decision, declaring, “the project was nationally significant and exceeded the current standard of practice.”
Exhibit design by Vancouver’s D. Jensen & Assoc.