Kathryn Bridge is an archivist and historian who lives in Victoria, BC. She has written several books about pioneers in British Columbia, including By Snowshoe, Buckboard and Steamer (winner of the 1998 Lieutenant-Governor's Medal for Historical Writing)and Phyllis Munday: Mountaineer (a finalist at the Banff Mountain Book Festival and a runner-up for the Van City Book Prize). Over the years she and her family have explored, camped and boated in many of the coastal areas of Vancouver Island.

"This book is more than just a guide to the museum exhibit, since it can stand alone, and claim a rightful spot in any collection of works on the gold rush period. By taking a new approach, rather than retelling the old, familiar stories, it will encourage a fresh look at our past, and will have an impact on the way the history of the gold rush is considered in the future. It really does offer new perspectives." -- Dave Obee, Times Columnist