The Cumberland Museum and Archives welcomes folk singer and author duo Jon Bartlett and Rika Ruebsaat for a launch of their new book, Soviet Princeton, at 6pm on January 22. With the help of archival photographs and song, the authors share the story of the coal miners’ strike in Princeton, BC during the depression of 1932-1933. Learn about the clashes between mounted provincial police and picketing workers, Ku Klux Klan threats, and the kidnapping of legendary labour organizer Slim Evans.
When miners decided to unionize, due to a ten percent pay cut during the depths of the depression, they brought in Arthur “Slim” Evans from the Workers Unity League to help them. Meanwhile, north of town, one of the federal government’s Relief Camps had opened up, and soon Canadian Labour Defence League organizers were at work there. “Outside agitators” became the by–word as the town’s merchants and propertied establishment rallied to defeat the “Communist menace” that threatened the prospects of their little town. They were given voice by the colourful local paper the Princeton Star, whose archives provide the source material for much of Jon Bartlett and Rika Ruebsaat’s engrossing history.
The book also provides an interesting sidebar to Canadian labour history, as two years later, Slim Evans led the On–to–Ottawa Trek of the homeless and unemployed, protesting relief camps and their conditions.
The Soviet Princeton book launch takes place Friday, January 22, at 6pm at the Cumberland Museum and Archives. Copies of the book will be available for sale. All are welcome.
For further details, visit: cumberlandmuseum.ca/events
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