BCHF conference 2022: Memory

We are pleased to announce that with the Victoria Historical Society as co-host we will mark the BCHF’s 100th anniversary at our annual conference and AGM June 2-5, online via Zoom. This year’s theme is Memory, where we reflect on past events, commemorating and preserving memories and telling stories. Schedule, list of presenters, and registration info will be announced in March

Remembering the 2003 BCHF conference

A Greyhound bus with “New York City” on its destination sign arrives at the Paradise restaurant northeast of Prince George in 2003. (Photo courtesy Terry Turner)

Tom Lymbery, a former BCHF council member, reminisces on the 2003 BC Historical Federation conference in Prince George that included visits to St. Pius Catholic Church and a restaurant called Paradise.

Deadline looms for BCHF Storytelling and Advocacy Awards

We’ve created new awards for the 100th anniversary of the British Columbia Historical Federation to celebrate the storytellers who engage the hearts and minds of people exploring British Columbia’s history and people and groups collaborating with Indigenous communities. Email your nominations to anna@bchistory.ca by March 1.

MEMBER NEWS

Broken Promises on at Museum of Surrey

A new exhibit at the Museum of Surrey on from now until April 24 chronicles the dispossession of Japanese Canadians during the Second World War era. Broken Promises illuminates the loss of home and the struggle for justice of one racially marginalized community.

A Journey Back to Nature: A History of Strathcona Park

The Nanaimo Historical Society presents Catherine Gilbert’s talk. Enjoy never before seen archival photos and a fascinating account of the century-long effort to define, access, preserve, develop, and exploit the uniquely beautiful Strathcona area of rugged wilderness in the centre of Vancouver Island.

HISTORICAL NOTES

Chinese Canadian Museum finds a home in Vancouver

Yip Sang and family in front of the Wing Sang Co. building at 51 East Pender, ca. 1902. (City of Vancouver Archives CVA 689-54)

The Wing Sang building, the oldest in Vancouver’s Chinatown, will be the new home of the Chinese Canadian Museum. The Chinese Canadian Museum Society of BC received $27.5 million from the provincial government to support its purchase.

British Columbia: An Untold History series timeline

Last fall, the Knowledge Network premiered a four part TV series called British Columbia: An Untold History. Now you can explore more diverse histories on an interactive timeline that lets you view stories through the decades. Or, you can filter by heritage, geographical area, or media type.

Nelson heritage building under demolition

Mount St. Francis (Peter Bartl photo)

Interior Health is tearing down a former long-term care home in Nelson, much to the chagrin of a local heritage advocate. Mount St. Francis opened in 1950 and closed in 2005. It has been vacant ever since.

BC’s oldest bridge not going anywhere soon

The Ministry of Transportation has no plans to replace the Waneta bridge, south of Trail (pictured), the oldest in situ in BC. They were responding to an inquiry from the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary about the fate of the crossing at the confluence of the Pend d’Oreille and Columbia rivers, built in 1893.

Grand Forks neighbourhood to be preserved online

Courtesy Les Johnson

The North Ruckle neighborhood of Grand Forks, which suffered extensive flooding damage in 2018, will soon be no more as homes are either demolished or relocated. But a local videographer has taken it upon himself to document as much as he can for the benefit of future generations.

Alicia Dubois named new CEO of Royal BC Museum

Alicia Dubois (pictured) has been appointed the new CEO of the Royal BC Museum, effective Feb. 28. She most recently served as the chief executive officer for the Alberta Indigenous Opportunities Corporation. She was also as a trustee with the Royal Ontario Museum.

Ormsby Review becomes The British Columbia Review

The Ormsby Review is now known as The British Columbia Review. The name change is to better reflect its scope and purpose. It’s an online journal devoted to the literature, arts, culture, and society of British Columbia. 

Upstream/Downriver: Walking the stɑl̓əw̓ Watershed

The White Rock Museum and Archives presents Upstream/Downriver: Walking the stɑl̓əw̓ Watershed from Feb. 17 to May 24. A collaborative research-creation project that addresses climate change at the local scale of the lower Fraser River, the exhibit takes audiences on a journey of walking, listening, and learning.

IN MEMORIAM

Jean Wilson (1945-2022)

Long-time supporter of the BC Historical Federation, and accomplished editor Jean Wilson passed away Feb. 6. She was a founding member of the Editors’ Association of Canada, an adjunct professor at Simon Fraser University, and president of the Association of Book Publishers of British Columbia.

ADVERTISING

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 ad, 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)

British Columbia Historical Federation

Box 448, Fort Langley, BC, V1M 247 • info@bchistory.ca

The BCHF Secretariat is located on the unceded traditional territory of the Coast Salish speaking Peoples. The BCHF is on Facebook. Join the conversation.