When processed they will be available to the public for research purposes. This was our first effort in seeking outside partners for the acquisition of archival holdings. It was more difficult than we had initially thought. The whole area of paper and photographic archival material is one that requires more active involvement from the public. In large part it is public users who gain directly from these collections.
Authors use the materials for research and for images for their books.
Individuals use the holdings for a diverse range of goals - everything from genealogy to commercial decoration to product development. The Fort Steele Heritage Town Archives now has an ongoing fundraising project to build a fund for the acquisition and processing of archival materials. The B.C. Land Surveyor's Association took its holidays at Fort Steele Heritage Town this summer, or at least some of its stalwart members did. The B.C.L.S.A. has had a longstanding link with the McVittie House, starting with their sponsorship of the building's move onto new foundations. Linking with the Friends of Fort Steele Society they have also been involved in wallpaper conservation and preparation of samples for reproduction by Fort Steele Heritage Wallpapers.