Powered by Steam. Restored by Community.
Labour Day Steam Donkey Demonstration
Monday, September 7 | 1:00–4:00 p.m.
Free Admission
The unmistakable whistle and hiss of steam will once again echo across the Museum grounds this Labour Day as our 1916 Empire Steam Donkey comes to life.
This year’s demonstration is especially meaningful as we celebrate the completion of a two-year community restoration project that has given the historic machine a brand-new yellow cedar sled, helping preserve this remarkable piece of logging history for decades to come.
Built in Vancouver in 1916, the Empire Steam Donkey is one of only a handful of operational steam donkeys in North America. Restored to working order by Museum volunteers in 2004, it remains one of Campbell River’s most treasured working artifacts.
Experience the sights, sounds, and smells of early logging while enjoying:
- Steam Donkey demonstrations
- Vintage logging films
- Donkey boiler coffee and pie
- Children’s crafts and games
- “Then & Now” artifact challenge
- Japanese Canadian history displays
- Free admission to the Museum galleries
Bring a lawn chair or picnic lunch and enjoy an afternoon celebrating Campbell River’s logging heritage and the volunteers who have helped preserve it for future generations.
A bit about the Sled Restoration Project
The project began when volunteer Dave Hamilton noticed the original sled, built more than twenty years ago, had reached the end of its life.
“I checked out the steam donkey and realized the sled was in poor condition and probably only had a few years left,” said Dave. “I happened to be working with BC Timber Sales at the time and realized I was in a good position to source suitable yellow cedar logs. I thought once the logs arrived, someone else would rebuild the sled.”
Instead, Dave found himself leading a remarkable community effort.
Three yellow cedar logs were donated by BC Timber Sales and hauled by Night Train Contracting. Over the next two years, volunteers, engineers, logging companies, crane operators and skilled tradespeople contributed their expertise to mill the timbers, lift the donkey, sandblast and repaint components, treat the wood, and carefully install the new sled.
“How lucky I was to connect and become friends with such an enthusiastic and skilled group,” Dave said. “It was a great time working with them.”
Special thanks go to BC Timber Sales, Night Train Contracting, Stonecroft Engineering, the Ministry of Forests, Edge Grain Forest Products, Lemare Lake Logging, Discovery Crane, the Steam Donkey volunteer crew, Dave Christian, and the many volunteers whose generosity made the project possible.