Bangs, Tara oral history interview

Tara Bangs grew up in Surrey, and moved to New Westminster in her twenties. Since approximately 2002 she has had a connection to the Samson V, either through personal work or friends. The Samson V is a steam powered paddlewheeler boat that after its retirement in 1980 as a government snagpuller was transformed into a museum, now located at the New Westminster Quay. Banks shares her experience being a guide at the museum, and the interpersonal experiences that occur on any given day. The visitors range from families from the area, old crewmembers, and once, a steamboat enthusiast from Sweden. As someone who has worked at the Samson V, the MV Native, and the 1865 Irving House Museum, while seeing the changes to New Westminster, she contemplates the difference between the old and the new, and the importance of preserving history. Central to her story is also her friendship with Mark McKenzie, one of the main restorers of the Samson V. The Samson V is referred to as the Samson, and the MV Native as the Native for the duration of the summary.