Photo Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
2022.077.003 |
Object Name |
Print, Photographic |
Description |
Harvey Reginald MacMillan and Gerry Wellburn with four other men at a clearing (captioned "museum clearing" on the back of the photo). Photograph is undated but likely taken sometime in the 1960s as a new site for the museum was being chosen at Drinkwater. |
Image File Name |
1964-70 - HR MacMillan & Wellburn at BCFM - Duncan - 2022077003 - jpg72 - 001 |
Year Range from |
1964 |
Year Range to |
1970 |
Date (y/m/d) |
/ / |
Place |
Duncan |
Provenance |
H.R. MacMillan Export Company was started in 1919 by Harvey Reginald MacMillan. The company was also B.C.'s first privately-owned lumber export brokerage firm. MacMillan was instrumental in developing international lumber markets as well as establishing the British Columbia Forest Service as B.C.'s first Chief Forester. The creation of the Seaboard Lumber Company threatened MacMillan's success by leaving the company without the necessary lumber to fulfill their orders. MacMillan responded to this threat by purchasing other mills, thus, creating B.C.'s first truly integrated forest company. In 1951 H.R. MacMillan Export Company merged with Bloedel, Stewart, and Welch to form MacMillan Bloedel Limited. The two well-established companies possessed neighbouring timber holdings and their synergy produced a forestry company which could compete at a global level. In 1912, H.R. MacMillan was the first Chief Forester of British Columbia. He was instrumental in the creation of the British Columbia Forest Service and he also knew the founder of the BC Forest Discovery Centre, Gerry Wellburn, personally. His company H.R. MacMillan Export Company, Ltd.,Bloedel, Stewart and Welch Ltd., merged with to form MacMillan Bloedel, Ltd. in 1951. MacMillan Bloedel became one of the most powerful forestry corporations in the world. Born in Yorkshire, England in 1900, Gerry Wellburn moved to Victoria and later to Duncan in the 30s. Since a kid, Wellburn had been an avid collector first finding interest in stamps. In 1963, the Cowichan Valley Forest Museum Society (CVFM) was formed, and Wellburn, with the help of friends like Hector Stone, moved his collection of forestry artifacts (and more) from his home in Deerholme to a 15-acre site in Duncan overlooking Somenos Lake. It took several years of organizing and planning before the first visitors were welcomed in 1965. The museum was officially opened the following year. The name was changed to the BC Forest Museum (BCFM) in 1973. Gerry visited the BCFM for the last time in 1991 stating that, "I think you're finally getting it right." In 1999, the name was changed again to the current BC Forest Discovery Centre. |
Search Terms |
Duncan People HR MacMillan Harvey Reginald MacMillan Wellburn BCFDC Grounds Drinkwater |
Collection |
BCFDC Institutional Memory |
People |
MacMillan, Harvey Reginald Wellburn, Gerry |
Subjects |
People Documentary, Coiwhcan Valley |