William Lee Pinchbeck is the student at the Museum of the Cariboo Chilcotin this summer, and yes, he is a descendent of William Pinchbeck who, during the Cariboo Gold Rush, farmed the land that is now the City of Williams Lake.
Lee attended Glendale Elementary School and Columneetza Senior Secondary, and is heading back to Prince George in the fall for his second year at the University of Northern British Columbia where he is majoring in English and History.
Lee played basketball during his years at Columneetza, refereed rep soccer and had an orange belt in karate.
He plays the guitar, likes to draw and write and he’s looking to a career either in education or arts.
As part of the work he is doing this summer Pinchbeck is researching the history of mining in the region.
He says that historically he is finding there are a lot of lost mines in the region.
“There are a few well-known mines and also about five mines people really don’t know much about,” he says.
In other news, for the 2014 Art Walk the museum is featuring the art work of Ed Deak. Ed has donated many paintings and drawings that are on permanent display in the museum.
Plans are also in the works for the museum’s annual Cowboy Christmas event Nov. 22 at the Gibraltar Room.
Karen Piffko is lining up entertainers for the concert.
Cowboy-western craft vendors are needed for the afternoon trade/craft fair.
If anyone is interested in having a table to sell crafts, they can contact the museum office.
Summer hours at the museum until Aug. 31 are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Saturday.
Winter hours starting Sept. 1 will be Tuesday to Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Contact the museum at 250-392-7404 or by email at mccwl@uniserve.com
The museum website is www.cowboy-museum.com.