Memories of the Project

Approximately thirty individuals associated with the Kitimat Project of the 1950s were interviewed by the Kitimat Centennial Museum in late 2005 and 2006. At the time of the Project - to create the world's largest aluminum smelter in Northwestern British Columbia - the interviewees were in their twenties and early thirties. Now in their late seventies and early eighties, time is of the essence to capture their memories of an important event in BC history. As very few oral histories on the topic of the Project exist, this oral history collection is unique, telling the Kitimat Project story through quotes, highlighted with photographic images and artifacts. The Museum retains the interview collection in compact disk format and available to the public.

The interviews capture the spirit of the Project - stories of daring do, innovation, struggle, the feverish pace, the activities, the people encountered, the early days of the town and smelter, and first-hand impressions of the Project. The people in construction were creating something innovative and world class. Those who remained to work in the smelter and make Kitimat their home felt proud of their new planned community. Spirit in pride of accomplishment and pride of place is recorded.

Thank you to the following people who very graciously agreed to be part of this oral history project:

For more images of the Project, please visit the Museum's website at www.kitimatmuseum.ca

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