The Britannia Mine Museum is re-launching next weekend after a name change (from the BC Mining Museum), refreshed logo, and updated visitor experience on the grounds of the old Britannia Mine, about 10km south of Squamish. John and I were invited up for the day to check out the grounds, the new buildings, and go […]

One of downtown’s hidden gems is the Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art, just off Georgia, on Hornby Street. Here you’ll find a breathtaking collection of Reid’s art that varies from wire sculptures and a diamond necklace, to tribute carvings and statues. I was fortunate enough to be given a private tour from Bill’s […]

On this day 50 years ago, Premier W.A.C. Bennett officially opened the Second Narrows Bridge. This was the second “Second Narrows Bridge” replacing the other that was built in 1925. The First Narrows being the Lions Gate Bridge, this additional crossing provided broader access to the North Shore and Coastal Mountains and contributed to Vancouver’s […]

Since the PNE is in full swing this week, today’s archives photo is one of the fair’s lost buildings (and one of the most unique I’ve seen). The “Women’s Building” at the Vancouver Exhibition (now the PNE). Located on the Hastings fair grounds, this was originally called the Industrial Building in 1910. Year: 1918 Photographer: […]

The 100th Anniversary PNE Parade will stroll through English Bay August 20th. Starting from Stanley Park and making its way to Sunset Beach, the parade will celebrate the grand opening of the PNE’s 100th year which will take place the following morning. The procession will feature giant balloons (think Macy’s Thanksgiving parade) and more than […]

The Chinatown Festival this weekend will be celebrating the 125th anniversary of Vancouver’s Chinatown. Given that the City of Vancouver is only 124, it’s important to get to know this historic community. 500 block of Carrall near Pender. 1900s. Archives item# CVA 677-580 Background and history: “Vancouver’s Chinatown is a community with a long history. […]

With the PNE’s 100 anniversary kicking off later this month I thought it would be fitting to feature the fair in today’s Archives Photo of the Day. “Win this panel prefab home!” Year: 1950s Photographer: Province Newspaper VPL Accession Number: 41011 Here’s another: Year: 1960 Photographer: Province Newspaper VPL Accession Number: 68819 And a third […]

I recently did a tour of the Downtown Eastside with BC Housing to learn more about their renovated properties. They scooped up over 20 hotels on the east side, some known as being the most dangerous buildings in Vancouver, and proceeded to bring them up to code so that tenants could have better living standards. […]

When I flipped my Hope in Shadows calendar over to July at the beginning of the month I read a quick story about two men and their involvement with the Downtown Eastside homeless soccer team, based in Oppenheimer Park. Sandwiched between Powell and Cordova, the recently restructured public space (complete with a new lawn, washrooms, […]

Today’s Archives Photo of the Day is from the 400 block of Homer Street. While it’s not a century-old image, I still find it rather curious and amusing. Year: 1974 Vancouver Archives item#: CVA 778-194