Preserving the last remaining piece of the historic BX Ranch has roped in a reason to celebrate.
The BX Swan Lake Community Association (BXSLCA) will host a presentation by local author and historian Ken Mather in celebration of the establishment of the newest Regional District of the North Okanagan park.
Sncacmatqtn Agricultural Park (also referred to as BX Ranch Agricultural Park), located at 4122 East Vernon Rd., is the last remaining 135 acres of the historic BX Ranch.
Learn about the history of the area at the presentation Monday, Sept. 23 at Vernon’s Schubert Centre, 3505-30 Ave., from 7 to 9 p.m.
"Mather retired in 2013 after 42 years in heritage site research, planning, administration and management. He had been the manager/curator of the Historic O’Keefe Ranch near Vernon from 1984 until 2004 and remained as curator for the next 10 years," said Paul Williamson, BXSLCA president.
Mather has written seven books on early B.C. history and just finished his eighth. A selection of his books will be available at the presentation.
Mather was recognized as the Curator Emeritus of the Historic O’Keefe Ranch in 2013 and was awarded the Joe Martin Memorial award for his contribution to B.C. Cowboy Heritage in 2015.
This is also the BXSLCA regular monthly meeting and members are encouraged to attend and learn more about the history of BX Ranch and Barnard’s Express. The presentation is open to the public and anyone interested in local history is welcome to attend.
The event is free but donations to defray costs are appreciated.
