This week during Cowboy Heritage Week, the Museum of the Cariboo Chilcotin invites the community to the City of Williams Lake’s 86th birthday tea on Sunday, March 15 from 1 to 3 p.m. in the museum.
The museum has been hosting a city birthday tea since 1996.
Mayors and some members of council have attended each year, reports the museum newsletter, which is available to members, for the very small annual membership fee of $5 per year.
As a point of interest the museum notes that Walt Cobb was the mayor when the museum hosted the first birthday tea and as current mayor, tea organizers are hoping Cobb will be available to attend the tea this Sunday.
Herb Gardner was the first mayor of Williams Lake when it became a town in 1965 and was also the first Freeman of the city.
One of the most memorable guests for the birthday tea was B.C. Lt. Gov. Iona Campagnolo, who was in the city to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the incorporation of the Village of Williams Lake and very graciously honoured the museum by attending the afternoon tea.
The museum welcomes new members who would like to volunteer time at the museum or might be interested in joining its board of directors.
Member volunteers help plan and create displays at the museum, help with school tours, and with events such as the birthday tea.
In keeping with Cowboy Heritage Week this week the museum has announced the 2015 BC Cowboy Hall of Fame inductees who will be celebrated with an invitational tea at the museum on April 19 and inducted into the hall of fame during the afternoon performance of the Williams Lake Indoor Rodeo on the same day.
The 2015 BC Cowboy Hall of Fame inductees for the Williams Lake area are the Coldwell Century Ranch, Tom Desmond and Bob Kjos.
In addition to the Coldwell Ranch in Jesmond, the 2015 BC Cowboy Hall of Fame Century Ranches category this year includes the original Haughton homestead in Knutsford, and the Lloyd Creek Ranch at Pinantan.