Mill No. 3, built in 1923, was a gravity-fed mill that processed up to 7000 tonnes of ore daily. It was designated a National Historic Site of Canada.

We have long considered the Mill an iconic stage, exciting enough to be the canvas for a new visitor focused experience capable of attracting visitation upwards of 110,000 annual visitors. This visitation level is necessary for the Museum’s business model to enhance potential with revenues to care for the historic site, buildings and features.

Work in 2017 ranged from government and industry advocacy to research and due diligence about best approaches to storytelling. Key project contracts were signed in 2017 and we advanced from creative concept through design development into script sign off. Production concluded in 2018-2019 and BOOM! was launched in June 2019.

In 2021 BOOM! won the prestigious TEA Thea Outstanding Achievement Award.

You can read the full press release HERE.

In March 2017, the Federal Government announced that the Museum’s Mill Experience Project was to receive a federal $1.4 million contribution.

This funding, in addition to our other generous donors listed below, was allocated towards the rehabilitation of the Mill with a multi-sensory show ( later named BOOM!) that allows guests to experience what life in the Mill was like in 1920.

This project was part of the Museum's continued effort to share the history of our National Historic Site.

A heartfelt thanks to the Government of Canada, Province of British Columbia, and our corporate and individual donors. Your contributions made it possible to showcase the innovation, history and future of Canada’s mining sector.