Are you gearing up for the BCHF annual conference?
Looking down a pier towards the shore at Comox. Photo by C. Bradbury. Undated. Image MSC130-2113 -01 courtesy of the BC Postcards Collection, a digital initiative of Simon Fraser University Library
Members of the British Columbia Historical Federation will be digging into Comox Valley history during their annual conference from June 6 to 9. The theme of this conference is Who is Taking Care of History?
“It will be an ideal opportunity for BC’s historical organizations tour sites in the Comox Valley, collaborate on best practices, and build strength to care for the diverse history of our province into the future,” says BCHF president Jane Watt.
You can still sign up for the conference here: bchistory.ca/conference/registration
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Deadline looms to register voting delegates and submit reports
The 2019 BCHF annual general meeting will take place Saturday, June 8 in Courtenay. Member societies wishing to send voting delegates and/or present a member society report are reminded to register your delegates and/or submit your report by May 29. This will greatly speed up administration at the AGM.
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Shortlist revealed for 2019 BCHF Historical Writing Competition
The British Columbia Historical Federation has announced seven titles have been shortlisted for the annual Historical Writing Competition. The BC Lieutenant-Governor’s Medal for Historical Writing will be awarded with $2,500 to the author whose book makes the most significant contribution to the historical literature of British Columbia. Winners will be announced on June 8 in Courtenay during the BCHF conference. Click below for the full list of finalists.
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British Columbia History Magazine launches improved app
We are pleased to announce a new, improved app for downloading and reading the digital version of British Columbia History magazine — right in the palm of your hand. It is available from the Apple Store and Google Play.
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Welcome to our newest members!
A warm welcome to our newest members, who joined the BCHF in April:
Associate (individual) Members: W. Curran (White Rock), P. Goumans (Abbotsford), E. Grewcutt (New Westminster), A. Hsiao (Calgary, Alberta), W. Kaschel (Surrey), M. Lamyin (Vancouver), P. McCuaig (Vancouver), M. Rossdeutscher (Langley), M. Wakelam (Abbotsford), W. Zarchikoff (Langley)
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MEMBER NEWS
Surrey Historical Society dedicates new park
Born a slave in the US, Henry Houston Scott arrived in Cloverdale with his family in 1912 to start a new life. Today their former seven acre farm is mostly a subdivision and power line right-of-way. But a small patch of land with some of the family’s original fruit trees has been cleaned up and was officially declared Henry Houston Scott Park on April 16.
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Valley Voices podcast features Fraser Canyon history
Marie Heaster is curator at Lytton Museum and Archives
May’s episode of the Langley Heritage Society’s Valley Voices takes us on a journey into the Fraser Canyon, to Lytton, where two unique museums are waiting to be discovered (watch for a story on these museums in the summer issue of British Columbia History magazine). To listen to the podcast, click the button below.
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The Way of Wagashi
The Nikkei National Museum and Cultural Centre will welcome wagashi master Junichi Mitsuboshi from Japan on May 31.
Wagashi are traditional Japanese confections and Mitsubori is a third generation wagashi artisan.
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HISTORICAL NEWS & NOTES
The hidden photographs of Yucho Chow
An exhibit devoted to Vancouver Chinatown’s first and most prolific photographer is underway until May 31 at the Chinese Cultural Centre. Yucho Chow had a photo studio between 1906 and 1949 and not only photographed Chinese Canadians but was a favourite to early Sikh Canadians, Black Canadians, newly-arrived Europeans, mixed-raced families, and First Nations people.
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Library and Archives Canada funds 12 archival projects in BC
Library and Archives Canada has announced the recipients of the
Documentary Heritage Community Program, and 12 are from BC. Click below to see the full list. This year, the program will provide $1.5 million to support 52 projects (including 47 new projects) by archives, libraries and documentary heritage institutions throughout Canada.
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Historian Paul Ferguson walks us through Ross Bay Cemetery
Historian and film consultant Paul Ferguson walks us through Ross Bay Cemetery in Victoria, photographing war graves in his latest blog post on the Pipes of War production website entitled “Sleep on Dear Son…”.
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Terry Reksten Memorial Fund calls for applications
The Friends of the BC Archives invites archives, museums, and historical societies to apply for grants from the Terry Reksten Memorial Fund. The goal of the Fund is to assist “community archives” in organizing, preserving, describing and disseminating archival records that are significant at a local or regional level.
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Six decades of architectural history on Heritage House Tour
Courtesy Vancouver Heritage Foundation
The 17th year of the Vancouver Heritage Foundation’s annual Heritage House Tour is coming up on Sunday, June 2. This year the self-guided tour explores six decades of architectural design across five Vancouver neighbourhoods. With homes from the 1890s to the 1950s, visitors can explore the evolution of local home design as well as lots of Vancouver history.
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Do you know a great history project in your community?
Canada’s History Society is currently looking for community-based history projects for the 2019 Governor General’s History Award for Excellence in Community Programming. Two recipients are awarded $2,500 for their project and a trip to Ottawa to receive their award.
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IN MEMORIAM
Bill McNamara, 1942-2019
We are saddened to hear of the death of Bill McNamara, president of the Friends of the Surrey Museum. The Surrey Now-Leader reports that “McNamara, 77, was a man of towering achievements in this city and beyond.
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Advertise in the BCHF Buzz
The BCHF offers a number of advertising opportunities in our e-newsletter, which is distributed to our entire membership monthly. Advertisements are jpeg images sized to 600 px wide for electronic distribution. To submit an advertisement contact Greg Nesteroff: greg@bchistory.ca
Members enjoy discounted advertising rates. Choose 12 months for the best deal:
1-3 months = $100 each ($100-$300 annually)
4 months = $90 each ($360 annually)
6 months = $80 each ($480 annually)
8 months = $70 each ($560 annually)
12 months = $50 each ($600 annually)
Rates for non-members are as follows:
1-3 months = $150 each ($150-$450 annually)
4 months = $140 each ($560 annually)
6 months = $130 each ($780 annually)
8 months = $120 each ($960 annually)
12 months = $100 each ($1,200 annually)
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