The BC Historical Federation: Our 100th anniversary

To mark the 100th anniversary of the BC Historical Federation, the BCHF is unveiling its new commemorative logo. You can also read an excerpt from Chad Reimer’s “The Formation and Early Years of the British Columbia Historical Association.” Chad will present a session entitled “The British Columbia Historical Federation at 100: Facing a Crossroads” at our conference, June 2 to 5. Registration will open in April. Students can attend for free.

Spring issue of British Columbia History is on the way

The spring issue of British Columbia History magazine is now available online and coming soon to your mailbox. The lineup of stories includes “Without a Trace: A small but important piano,” by Michael Abe; “The White Elephant in the Room: Anti-Asian racism in Canada,” by Henry Yu; and “Grouse Nest: The most mysterious house in Sooke,” by Paul G. Chamberlain.

Being an activist historian

Sharanjit Kaur Sandhra at the opening of  We Are Hockey, an exhibit at the Sikh Heritage Museum National Historic Site, Gur Sikh Temple, 2019. (South Asian Studies Institute Collection)

In this excerpt from the Spring 2022 issue of British Columbia History, Sharanjit Kaur Sandhra explains that she calls herself an activist historian “because I am shaping the future for my sons so they don’t have to experience the same hurdles I have been through and continue to see around me, including not seeing themselves reflected in the study of history.”

Time Travels: Okanagan Historical Society

In his latest column for British Columbia History, Mark Forsythe looks at the Okanagan Historical Societyy’s 85-year tradition of publishing an annual report, described by one historian as “among BC’s richest archival treasures.”

MEMBER NEWS

Trail Historical Society seeks to reopen 1912 bridge

The Trail Historical Society wants to look at reopening a historic crossing of the Columbia River that has been closed since 2010.

Smelter Wars looks at Trail union drive

A recently-published book by BCHF member Ron Verzuh takes a deep look at union organizing efforts at the Trail smelter during and after World War II along with the political, cultural, and social forces that shaped the city.

Rebuilding drive begins for Lytton Chinese History Museum

On June 30, 2021, the Lytton Chinese History Museum burnt in a devastating wildfire. Executive director Lorna Fandrich (pictured) has announced she is planning on reopening the museum. The Chinatown Storytelling Centre is pledging to loan artifacts and assist in the fundraising effort to acquire new pieces and rebuild the museum.

A history of bicycle activism in Vancouver

Cycling enthusiast and advocate Colin Stein recently presented a history of cycling activism in Vancouver, focusing on people and movements that have shaped transportation on its streets.

HISTORICAL NOTES

Book chronicles history of Kootenay Lake ferry service

Michael Cone has just published the definitive history of the ferry service on Kootenay lake, from the sternwheeler era to the modern diesel ferries that ply the lake today.

Push on to save historic Golden chalets

(Image MSC130-2198-01 courtesy of the British Columbia Postcards Collection, a digital initiative of Simon Fraser University Library)

The Edelweiss Village in Golden, built by the CPR from 1910-12 to house Swiss mountain guides is for sale for $2.3 million. A campaign has been launched to buy the property and preserve the six historic chalets.

BLK: An Origin Story looks at Hogan’s Alley

BLK: An Origin Story is a docuseries appearing nationally on HISTORY and Global TV. The third episode, which airs tonight at 9 p.m., explores the origins of Hogan’s Alley, which was considered the heart of Vancouver’s Black community for many years. 

Historic Penticton home burns

(Google Street View)

The Warren Home, built on Lakeshore Drive in Penticton in 1912 for a Kettle Valley Railway executive, burned this month following an explosion.

IN MEMORIAM

Glen Mofford (1954-2022)

The BC Historical Federation was saddened to learn of the sudden death of Glen Mofford (pictured), who wrote about BC’s historic hotels and their drinking establishments for many years, his work culminating in two books. He was working on a third volume at the time of his passing.

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.