River of Light

Next Monday evening, September 8, the Museum will be hosting a talk entitled "River of Light: The Canadian Columbia before the Treaty" by William D. Layman

William Layman’s work for the past twenty-five years has focused on helping people remember the magnificence of the Columbia River prior to the enormous changes brought about by hydro-development. His award winning exhibit and book River of Memory: The Everlasting Columbia show a river bounding toward the sea with a character that places it as being one of the world’s great waterways.

In this presentation, Mr. Layman looks to the more recent past of the river’s ever flowing story. While touching upon earlier eras of the river’s history, greater attention will be paid to the Columbia as a partially developed river just prior to the signing and ratification of the Columbia River Treaty. Mr. Layman highlights this era by showing a recently discovered set of color slides taken in 1961 and 1962 that were photographed by Wenatchee fire chief T.A. Weaver whose aerial survey documented most all of the river. Over one hundred of these views show the Canadian Columbia as it was prior to Hugh Keenleyside, Revelstoke and Mica dams.

Mr. Layman has been working over the summer to rephotograph many of Weaver’s aerial views and to compare maps showing the old river channels with more recent maps that show the river’s present day boundaries. By placing current views alongside the old, it becomes possible to immediately see the dramatic impact of the great changes along the river, particularly in the places behind Revelstoke and Mica dams.

Mr. Layman holds a strong interest not only in the history of the river, but also in the current place the Columbia has in people’s lives and hearts. In his previous presentations up and down the Columbia, Layman has found that people along each section of river have special moments and places along the Columbia that carry very specific and important meanings to themselves, their friends and families. He reflects, “In speaking with people who traveled the old Big Bend Highway or who visited old Kinbasket Lake, I have been amazed at how people remember their trips so vividly. In another two generations, those who hold living memory of the river before the dams will have passed on.”

Time will be given to inviting members of the audience to share personal stories, memories and experiences of the river. Mr. Layman’s hope is that by gathering and listening to these stories, they will become folded into the greater narrative that documents changes along the river brought about by the river’s hydro developments as well as the Columbia River Treaty.

The talk will take place at Revelstoke Museum & Archives, 315 First Street West on Monday, September 8th at 7:30 pm. For more information, call the museum at 250-837-3067.