WINTER 2015
Heritage Week
Main Street
Heritage Legacy Fund Projects
Heritage Chilliwack Society
A Lasting Legacy: Planned Giving
WINTER 2015 ROSSLAND: HOST CITY HERITAGE BC CONFERENCE 2015 3
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE
HERITAGE WEEK 2015: MAIN STREET: THE HEART OF THE COMMUNITY 4
It feels odd to be writing a message for the Winter 2015 Heritage BC Quarterly as I look out the window at blooming daffodils, crocuses and hyacinth. We didn’t have much of a winter on the coast of B.C., but I understand that many of our members and friends in the north and eastern parts of the province are enjoying a slightly more brisk season.
HERITAGE LEGACY FUND 6-7 CHILLIWACK 10-12 HERITAGE BC WORKSHOPS 14 PEOPLE IN THE NEWS 15 A LASTING LEGACY: Planned giving 16
Heritage BC is a not-for-profit, charitable
organization supporting heritage conservation across British Columbia through advocacy, training and skills development, capacity building in heritage planning, and funding through the Heritage Legacy Endowment Fund. We are passionate about building links between heritage conservation and tourism, economic and environmental sustainability, community pride and an appreciation of our common history. Programs include workshops, annual conferences, publications and grants for the conservation of historic buildings and special places. We are funded through membership fees, program and service revenues, charitable gifts and donations as well as sponsorships. Today we have a growing membership of individuals, groups and business members who share a common interest in heritage conservation, historic places, and promoting the value of British Columbia’s heritage for all.
604.428.7243 1.855.349.7243 www.heritagebc.ca 2
KATHRYN MOLLOY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Weather can definitely have an impact on Heritage Week events, but it certainly did not deter B.C. communities and members from planning and participating in a wide variety of exciting activities from February 16 to 22. Thank you to all who made submissions to our first annual Heritage Week contest, and congratulations to the winners (see details on page 4). We would love to hear your ideas on how to make Heritage Week 2016 even more successful – please take five minutes to complete our brief online survey at: » www.surveymonkey.com/s/HeritageWeek2016 Winners of the contest received two complimentary tickets to the Heritage BC 2015 Conference in Rossland on October 2 and 3. Plans are moving forward for an action-packed event. Be sure to keep your Heritage BC membership current so that you will be the first to hear about our early bird rates. It’s easy to sign up – click on the Heritage BC Membership icon: » www.heritagebc.ca I hope you enjoy this edition of Heritage BC Quarterly. If you have a story to tell, please send it along with photographs to info@heritagebc.ca and we’ll try to publish it in our Spring issue. The theme will be Adaptive Reuse and the deadline for articles and advertising is April 30, 2015. Your ideas and thoughts on how we can best serve our membership are important to us. Please drop by the office when you are in West Vancouver, call our tollfree line at 1.855.349.7243 or fill out our online member survey: » www.surveymonkey.com/s/MembersHBC I look forward to hearing from you! Kathryn Molloy Executive Director, Heritage BC Email: kmolloy@heritagebc.ca
HOST CITY FOR THE HERITAGE BC CONFERENCE 2015
Rossland: The Golden City Rossland is located six miles north of the Canadian–American border in southeastern British Columbia. Its beginnings are linked to the discovery and mining of rich gold deposits in the surrounding mountains of the Rossland Range of the Selkirk Mountains. The first claims were staked in 1890 on Red Mountain, and the next few years saw the arrival of many more prospectors and miners eager to explore the potential wealth of future hardrock mining operations. The Rossland Camp became a boom town in early 1895 when the richness of the gold deposits received international financing necessary for mine and infrastructure development. By 1896, two different railway companies built lines into Rossland to transport the ore and goods needed by the mining industry and its workers, and a smelter was built close by in Trail, on the banks of the Columbia River. Electrical power for the mines was supplied from a dam constructed in 1897 on the Kootenay River; it was delivered over what was the world’s longest high-voltage transmission line at that time. Hotels, boarding houses and businesses of all sorts sprung up in the Rossland townsite. Rossland was incorporated in March, 1897 with a population of 7,000 citizens – B.C.’s fourth largest city.
Rossland is the host community for the next Heritage BC Conference October 2-3, 2015. • Stay tuned for details about speakers, workshops and tours. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
The gold mining era of Rossland continued until 1929, when commercial gold mining operations were no longer financially viable because of the lower value of gold and the costs of production. However, the Trail Smelter (CM&S, Cominco and now Teck) has grown to become one of the world’s largest smelting operations, treating various ore types from many different mines. It is the major employer for people in the area. The original West Kootenay Power and Light Company, formed to supply electricity to the Rossland mines, has grown to become the major supplier of electrical energy for the West Kootenay and southern Okanagan regions of B.C. Rossland, the host community for the next Heritage BC Conference, is now a residential community rich in many heritage buildings and sites that act as visual reminders of earlier and exciting times. The Conference takes place October 2-3, 2015. Mark your calendars and make plans to join us to explore the rich history and heritage of Rossland, B.C. BY Jackie Drysdale
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2015
HERITAGE WEEK FEBRUARY 16-22
Main Street
At the Heart of the Community Share your community events, stories and photos!
Above: Digital Composite by Dion Farrell; Original Photograph by Stuart Thomson CVA #99-2452 “Fire at A.P. Slade’s Warehouse (157 Water St.)” March 1930 Below: Digital Composite by Michelle Macdonald; Original Photograph by Major J.S. Matthews CVA #Str P32 Granville Street Looking North From Robson Street c1900
Merging Time The 2015 Heritage Week poster features images by Langara College photography students that combined contemporary images with historic photographs taken at the same location, creating images that seamlessly merge the past and present. Above: Digital Composite by Dion Farrell; Original Photograph by Stuart Thomson C VA #99-2452 “Fire at A.P. Slade’s Warehouse (157 Water St.)” March 1930 Inset: Digital Composite by Michelle Macdonald; Original Photograph by Major J.S. Matthews CVA #Str P32 Granville Street Looking North From Robson Street c1900
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Main Street: At the Heart of the Community Communities across British Columbia celebrated Heritage Week in February. This year’s theme was Main Street: At the Heart of the Community. Events included walking tours in places like Vancouver’s Granville Street, Cumberland and Coquitlam, while other communities celebrated with concerts, afternoon teas, speakers, awards presentations and museum open houses. Many communities, including Chilliwack, Esquimalt and Revelstoke, put together displays and exhibits of historic photographs. The BC Archives and other community archives used social media to share historic photographs and videos of main streets and downtown areas. Heritage BC asked to hear about your Heritage Week events for our Heritage Week 2015 Contest. Thank you to everyone who entered. The winner of two complimentary registrations to the Heritage BC 2015 Conference in Rossland is the Mission Museum and Mission Community Archives for their “Picture Yourself on Main Street” exhibit. “Picture Yourself on Main Street” is an interactive joint exhibit created by the Mission Museum and Mission Community Archives. The exhibit consists of a green screen, lighting, historic costume pieces, and a tablet with a chroma-key photography application loaded with six historic photographs of Mission’s Main Street from 1907 to 1950. Visitors to the exhibit dressed in the costumes and were photographed against the green screen. Using the chroma-key application, their image was superimposed on one of the six historic photographs to provide the illusion of stepping back in time. The exhibit was extremely popular, with visitors coming from as far away as Vancouver.
More Highlights from Heritage Week across British Columbia! The Mount Pleasant Heritage Group in Vancouver highlighted the numerous heritage buildings in the area, including the 1889 J. F. Clark building, the oldest commercial building outside of downtown Vancouver, with window signs prominently displaying the year each building was constructed. Businesses throughout the area enthusiastically displayed their signs and shared stories with the Mount Pleasant Heritage Group, which marked the start of a new project, “Stories from Main Street.” The Town of Ladysmith Heritage Revitalization Advisory Commission created their own Heritage Week posters that described the life and lives of their main streets. A soldout presentation by Rob Johnson, “If These Walls Could Talk”, described the history of Ladysmith’s main street with photographs, entertaining stories, and reminiscing by locals. The Rotary Club of Ladysmith celebrated its 110th anniversary and Heritage Week by releasing 110 Chinese paper lanterns. Heritage Week was celebrated by the Kelowna Museum Society in Central Okanagan with a series of activities. The Royal Anne Hotel was the site of a week-long exhibit of displays by various community groups showcasing how Bernard Avenue is the “heart of the community.” With the Passport Thru Time project, participants were invited to follow their passport to numerous businesses in historic buildings, where costumed guides met them with fascinating facts. Other events included a geolocative interactive gaming adventure, a Heritage Breakfast, Tea and Tidbits, Lunchbox Lecture, as well as a Bannock and Tea hosted by the Sncewips Heritage Museum. e
The Port Moody Heritage Commission also celebrated Heritage Week with a Heritage Passport activity, which brought participants to twelve different destinations in the community. Other Heritage Week celebrations included live music, a display of vintage vehicles, vintage photos, vintage movies, bus tours and self-guided tours. The Township of Esquimalt celebrated Esquimalt Road with historic photographs of the main street displayed in local businesses. A number of other photographs were available for viewing at the Municipal Hall, and residents were invited to submit their photos, old or new, of events and sites on Esquimalt Road. Mackie Lake House in Coldstream celebrated Heritage Week with an informative talk by Ron Salisbury, a former apprentice of celebrated architect Frank Lloyd Wright. In Vernon, they featured a window display in Brenda Hala’s Photography and Framing on Main Street.
Facing Page: “Picture yourself on Main street” mission museum and mission community archives Above: Poster, THE Town of Ladysmith Heritage Revitalization Advisory Commission BELOW: CENTRAL OKANAGAN HERITAGE SOCIETY DISPLAY
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2014 HLF GRANTS Heritage Awareness: Oyama Community Club: Oyama Community Hall Legacy Project Town of Ladysmith: Transfer Beach Interpretive History Pictorial Project Parksville-Qualicum Beach Tourism Association: Oceanside Historical Walking/Driving Tour Vancouver Heritage Foundation: Interactive Map Hope Mountain Centre: Hudson’s Bay Company (1849) Heritage Trail
Heritage Conservation: Nikkei National Museum and Cultural Centre: Japanese Canadian War Memorial Restoration Village of Valemount: Valemount Train Station Exterior Restoration Cranbrook Heritage Association: Cranbrook Water and Electrical Building Rehabilitation Filberg Heritage Lodge and Park Association: Filberg Lodge Repairs Rossland Council for Arts and Culture: Rossland Miners Union Hall Façade Preservation and Restoration Cranbrook Archives Museum and Landmark Foundation: Elko Station Restoration Lytton First Nation: St. Mary and St. Paul Church Roof Repair and Upgrade Mackie Lake House Foundation: Mackie Lake House Rock Wall and Path Restoration Skeetchestn Indian Band: Restoration of St. Mary’s Church
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HERITAGE CONSERVATION AND AWARENESS
Heritage Legacy Fund Projects Heritage BC is pleased to announce the granting of $100,000 in heritage funding for fourteen projects across British Columbia through the Heritage Legacy Fund. The Heritage Legacy Fund (HLF) was established in 2003 by the government of British Columbia with an endowment of five million dollars held by the Vancouver Foundation. The fund provides grants for heritage conservation and heritage awareness projects in British Columbia. Heritage BC is the fund advisor. Of the nearly one hundred grants provided to date, about eighty per cent have been for the conservation of historic buildings and other structures. Projects supported range from one-room buildings to civic landmarks such as Victoria’s City Hall or the former municipal building in Nelson. Many successful funding applications have been for basic repair and maintenance work required to safeguard the historical character of these buildings and sites. The remaining twenty per cent of grants provided have been for heritage awareness projects including interpretive signage, walking tours, and online projects that increase public education, understanding and appreciation of specific existing built community heritage resources, such as the historic 1925 Central Park Building in Smithers. Honourable Steve Thomson, Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations for the Province of British Columbia, explains the importance of the Heritage Legacy Fund:
“British Columbia’s historic buildings and neighbourhoods stand as a testament to our rich heritage and history. The Province is a proud supporter of the Heritage Legacy Fund which provides for conservation of our historic buildings and other structures, and supports heritage awareness programs throughout the province. By preserving the past, we are contributing to the growth of healthy families and communities and laying the foundation for a sustainable future.”
Applications come from many sources including community museums, heritage societies, local governments and First Nations. Since June 2005, there have been requests to support over $35 million in heritage property project costs. The Heritage Legacy fund has supported $1.8 million of those costs. — KAREN DEARLOVE, CAPACITY PLANNER, HERITAGE BC
2015 Heritage Legacy Fund Applications Now Open Applications for Heritage Conservation and Heritage Awareness projects are now available online. Interested applicants must confirm the eligibility of their organization and project with the Program Manager before applying. For more information including worksheets and the 2015 HLF Program Guidelines & Policies visit: » www.heritagebc.ca/hlf-grant-applications
Deadline for all HLF Applications is April 30, 2015
HERITAGE LEGACY FUND PROJECT PROFILE
Restoration of the Jewish Cemetery at Mountain View In 2013, the Schara Tzedeck Cemetery Board received a grant of $20,000 from the Heritage Legacy Fund to support the restoration of the Jewish Cemetery at Mountain View Cemetery in Vancouver. The total cost of this project is estimated at $400,000. The project is nearing completion and will culminate with a re-dedication of the cemetery on May 3, 2015. In February 1887, a large tract of land in the forest was acquired by the City of Vancouver for burial purposes. Located in South Vancouver on Fraser Street between 33rd and 41st Avenues, it became known as Mountain View Cemetery because of the splendid view of the North Shore Mountains. In 1891, a reserved section was granted by Mayor David Oppenheimer to the Jewish community of Vancouver; it was consecrated in 1892. Prior to this, when Jewish deaths occurred in Vancouver, burials took place in the Jewish Cemetery in Victoria. The first Jewish burial in Vancouver took place on December 19, 1892 when Otto E. Bond, an indigent man, was interred. His grave remained unmarked until October 2013, when a temporary marker was placed in his memory as part of the cemetery restoration project. 145 other temporary markers were placed at that time to commemorate the burial of others, whose graves until then had also been unmarked. The first Jewish headstone in Mountain View Cemetery was that of Nathan Weinrobe, an eightyear-old boy who died of diphtheria in 1893. There have been approximately 450 burials in the Jewish section of Mountain View Cemetery. The Jewish Restoration Project began in October 2012, chaired by Shirley Barnett. Shirley’s grandfather Abraham Nemetz is buried at Mountain View Cemetery, and she saw over the years how neglected the cemetery had become. A committed and active member of the Jewish Community, Shirley gathered a group of people together, and so it began. Students of King David High School have also been involved in this restoration project. There are four components to the project: Research and Documentation; Physical Restoration and Preservation; Addition of New Amenities; and Public Education and Programming. The research and documentation of those buried in Mountain View is an ongoing process as many of the families no longer live in Vancouver, and other relatives may not either. Through working together with The Jewish Genealogical Institute and The Jewish Historical Society, much new information has come to light about some of those people buried here. Physical restoration of the headstones has begun. Eighty headstones have already been restored with more slated to be done this coming spring. The addition of new amenities include restoring the pathways which had been covered for many years, as well as improving the curbing, benches, washing basin and pebble basin, and the historic archway and gates. Public programming includes walking tours led by volunteers from the Jewish Historical Society. The tours will be reinstated in May once the construction is completed. The support of the Heritage Legacy Fund has been instrumental in preserving this site which is so significant to the history and culture of the Jewish community in British Columbia.
The support of the Heritage Legacy Fund has been instrumental in preserving the Jewish Cemetery at Mountain View which is so significant to the history and culture of the Jewish community in British Columbia.
— Myra Adirim
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Approximately ten of the nominated historic places will be officially recognized by the Government of British Columbia and placed on the B.C. Register of Historic Places.
Chinese Historic Places Recognition Project From Vancouver and Victoria’s Chinatowns, to sites like the ghost town of Quesnel Forks and historic Barkerville, there are places throughout British Columbia that tell the stories of the province’s Chinese Canadian community. The Chinese Historic Places Recognition Project is an outcome of the Chinese Historical Wrongs Consultation Report, in which many participants expressed the hope that Chinese Canadian cultural history could be preserved in perpetuity. On January 22, 2015 the Ministry of International Trade (MIT), working with the Heritage Branch of the Ministry of Lands, Forests and Natural Resource Operations (MLFNRO) and Heritage BC, launched a public nomination process. People were invited to nominate a historic place associated with the history of the Chinese community and the development of British Columbia. Nominations were accepted until March 2, 2015. The list of nominated historic places will be evaluated by a committee composed of members of the Legacy Initiatives Advisory Council Historic Places Working Group, members of the Chinese Canadian Historical Society, MIT and MLFNRO Heritage Branch staff, and Heritage BC. Approximately ten of the nominated historic places will be officially recognized by the Government of British Columbia and placed on the B.C. Register of Historic Places. The list of nominated historic places will also be used to start an inventory of historic places significant to Chinese Canadians. Heritage BC is pleased to be part of this important process that serves as an opportunity to celebrate British Columbia’s diversity, while recognizing and acknowledging the contributions of Chinese Canadians – both past and present – to the prosperity and diversity of the province.
www.pattisonarchitecture.ca 604.525.3232 8
HerITAGE BC Quarterly: SPRING 2015
Adaptive Reuse
‘Adaptive Reuse’ refers to finding new uses for old structures without destroying their heritage value. It involves preserving, restoring and reconfiguring historic buildings and spaces to accommodate new uses, new technologies and modern requirements. An unused, vacant heritage building is a property at risk, but through physical intervention aimed at preservation, or rehabilitation through new use, a vacant heritage property can be fully conserved. Communities throughout British Columbia grapple with how to conserve a heritage building when it is no longer being used for the original purpose for which it was built. From churches to industrial buildings, schools, civic buildings, to a whole host of other sites, finding innovative, entrepreneurial and sustainable new uses for these buildings is essential for them to remain a viable part of the community, and conserved for present use and future generations. The Spring issue of Heritage BC Quarterly will be dedicated to adaptive reuse, its challenges and opportunities. Adaptive reuse that is sustainable, viable and sensitive to heritage value can be a fine balancing act. It’s important to look at how adaptive reuse can help to revitalize downtowns, provide space for business start-ups, address affordable housing needs, or offer facilities for community groups and programs. We want your input. Do you know of a good example of adaptive reuse in your community? Send us a brief (300 words) description of the project as well as historic photographs, and before and after images of the building. We will feature several examples from across B.C. that demonstrate innovation, creativity, sustainability, conservation of heritage value, and long-term viability.
Do you know of a good example of adaptive reuse in your community? • Heritage BC Quarterly Spring 2015 Deadline for articles and advertising: April 30, 2015
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Chilliwack’s Royal Hotel In the Fraser Valley in 1908, the era of steamship travel was coming to a close as construction of the B.C. Electric Railway was in progress. Plans for the rail line began in 1902, and construction was completed in 1910, allowing both passengers and goods to travel between New Westminster and Chilliwack. The arrival of the B.C. Electric Railway also brought electricity to light up the developing town of Chilliwack. With a growing population of just under two thousand residents in 1908, Chilliwack witnessed the construction of many new buildings in what would become the downtown core. More than three million people came to Canada between 1896 and 1914, and many headed west and to the Chilliwack Valley for the moderate climate and agricultural opportunities the area provided. Hotelier D. S. Dundas hired Robert H. Brock to design and build the Royal Hotel on Chilliwack’s Wellington Avenue in 1908, and the building was completed in 1909. Most likely arriving by horse and buggy, guests of the Royal Hotel were welcomed into the hotel lobby during the grand opening in May 1909, and have been arriving continuously ever since. The Royal Hotel was purchased by Tom Berry Sr. in 1926, and the hotel stayed in the Berry family until 1995. Tom’s wife Sarah Jane, son Thomas Henry (better known as Buck), and his wife Louise operated the hotel after Tom Sr. passed away in 1941. The hotel changed hands again in 1995. Major restoration of the 29-room hotel began in 1995, with efforts to ensure that the original character was retained and refined. Guests can now choose from a cozy comfort room for two; an antique room with vintage furniture, wood floors and a claw foot tub; or the Royal Jacuzzi Suite: a two-room suite with a king sizes bed, sitting room with a jacuzzi for two, and a Juliet balcony. In March 2013, General Manager Leonard Wiens took the reins of the Royal Hotel. His goal is to continue to provide impeccably clean, character-filled guest rooms together with on-site dining, meeting, event and wedding space all in a heritage setting in historic downtown Chilliwack.
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HERITAGE BC NEW MEMBER PROFILE
Heritage Chilliwack Society Chilliwack holds the honour of being the third oldest municipality in British Columbia. However, unlike most communities in the province, Chilliwack has not had a councilappointed Community Heritage Commission since 1990. During this period Chilliwack has experienced a dramatic population increase as more people move there to enjoy the moderate climate and abundant recreational opportunities. This influx of people comes with an increased need for new development for housing, shopping, recreation and infrastructure. Unfortunately, in response to these needs, and with heritage policies regarded loosely by Chilliwack City Council, the community witnessed the demolition of several heritage buildings in the downtown core in the last few years, including the Empress Hotel (c.1908; demolished 2010), the Paramount Theatre (c.1949; demolished 2013) and the Irwin Block (c.1909-1913; demolished 2014). Heritage Chilliwack Society (HCS) was incorporated in August 2014 by a group of three women – Anita Unger, Krista Butt and Laura Reid – who were determined to ensure Chilliwack’s heritage assets are advocated for, promoted and preserved for current and future generations, and to celebrate Chilliwack’s rich history. The work to form the society did not happen overnight. Over a period of eighteen months the group gathered information and expertise from heritage professionals including the Heritage Planner for the Township of Langley, Chilliwack Museum and Archives staff, a Chilliwack city councillor, City of Chilliwack Manager of Strategic Planning, and Heritage BC. In June 2014, Anita, Krista and Laura were excited to host Heritage BC’s Executive Director Kathryn Molloy and Capacity Planner Karen Dearlove for a one-day visit to Chilliwack. The day started with a walking tour of downtown Chilliwack that included the Royal Hotel (c.1909), historic five corners and the site of the former Irwin Block, The Brock House (c.1910), a tour of St. Thomas Anglican Church (c.1897), Dr. Patten’s house (c.1912, now Society Gathering House), a walk past the Paramount Theatre site, then back to the Royal Hotel. During a working lunch, Kathryn and Karen provided information and resources to assist the group, including details on how to form a nonprofit society. Most importantly, they shared their enthusiasm and encouragement which propelled Anita, Krista and Laura forward. Heritage Chilliwack has been busy since their August incorporation. With the assistance of Heritage BC, they surveyed the candidates running in the November 2014 municipal election to determine their views on heritage issues. They took part in the mayoral and all-candidates debate, and received front-page coverage in the Chilliwack Times in October for their heritage questionnaire. HCS hosted their first membership event in January 2015; the room was overflowing as close to forty people showed up for this inaugural meeting. On January 26, the first task force meeting was well-attended by fourteen members eager to work on heritage projects. For Heritage Week 2015, Heritage Chilliwack’s volunteers mounted a display of six historical parade photos in the windows of the Royal Hotel that created excitement even while being installed. Local media, including radio, newspapers and television, all promoted Heritage Week and Heritage Chilliwack with Anita, Krista and Laura featured in an interview for Shaw Cable’s program “Go! Fraser Valley”. In addition, starting in January, the Chilliwack Times is publishing a monthly article written by Heritage Chilliwack. Heritage Chilliwack and their now sixty members are looking forward to increasing membership, continuing to build awareness, and working on heritage projects for 2015. — LAURA REID, HERITAGE CHILLiWACK heritagechilliwack@gmail.com
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HERITAGE BC WORKSHOPS
Building Capacity in Your Community Heritage BC went on the road in late 2014, bringing workshops to the Vancouver Island communities of Esquimalt and Oak Bay.
Heritage BC Workshops Heritage Basics This workshop is for communities new to heritage conservation or those wanting to incorporate new legislative tools or values-based management into existing heritage programs. This is a great workshop for heritage society members, planners, elected officials, community heritage commissions, heritage property owners, the business and tourism community, and the general public. •
Identifying Heritage Values Are there places in your community that have special meaning but which may not conform to conventional ideas of what “heritage” is? This workshop is for communities that want to develop and understand their own heritage values to inform their Official Community Plan or to develop their Community Heritage Register. •
Writing Statements of Significance This hands-on workshop will help participants develop a Statement of Significance (SOS), a necessary part of the documentation for identified sites on a Community Heritage Register. Get the tools to update your Community Heritage Register to meet the documentation standards of both the B.C. Register of Historic Places and the Canadian Register of Historic Places.
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In October, Heritage BC and the Township of Esquimalt Heritage Advisory Committee facilitated a Heritage Values Open House for the community. The Heritage Values Open House allowed participants to guide the development of Esquimalt’s heritage conservation program and enabled the Township of Esquimalt to learn from the past to plan for the future. Participants were asked to share their thoughts on what makes Esquimalt unique by identifying heritage values – the significant phases, eras, themes, people and events of Esquimalt’s history, and the developments that matter to them and which they feel are significant to its heritage. They were also asked to identify the places that embody those values – the places that matter to the people of Esquimalt – to assist planning and decision making on how best to conserve these important places and ensure that heritage values endure as community development occurs. Karen Hay, Planner and Staff Liaison to Esquimalt’s Heritage Advisory Committee described the results:
“The open-house workshop was an excellent opportunity for Esquimalt Heritage Advisory Committee members to liaise with residents.The information gathered from the workshop will be valuable for staff and committee members in developing heritage value statements for the community, in preparation of statements of significance, and for future conservation projects. Heritage BC staff were professional and pleasant to work with.”
The following month, Heritage BC presented a full-day workshop on writing statements of significance for the Oak Bay Heritage Registration/Designation Subcommittee. The purpose of the workshop was to train members of the subcommittee to research and write statements of significance for properties on Oak Bay’s heritage register. Using local examples, as well as actual works in progress, Heritage BC staff gave the Oak Bay group concrete tools to understand and create statements of significance. According to the Oak Bay Heritage Registration/Designation Subcommittee:
“BC Heritage’s Statements of Significance workshop, facilitated by Heritage BC for Oak Bay Heritage, provided our volunteers with a clear understanding of how to apply our community values for a heritage property. At the conclusion of the workshop, we felt confident that our statements of significance would form valid and reliable advice for Council.”
Heritage BC is looking forward to working with several more communities in 2015 to help build capacity for heritage conservation and awareness planning and actions. Heritage BC will bring expertise to your community with a selection of interactive workshops. Heritage BC will work with you to develop educational workshops to meet your community’s needs. The fee will be dependent on workshop content and length and includes multiple participants. Join with another community to make it more affordable for all! To discuss options, book a workshop or get more information, call our office at 604.428.7243.
Heritage BC
BC HERITAGE BRANCH
Staff Updates
Jennifer Iredale Retires
We Say Goodbye To Sarah We are sad to announce that Sarah Irwin, Office Administrator, is moving on from Heritage BC. Her last day with the team was February 12. Sarah joined Heritage BC in April 2014, after having moved to B.C. from Northern Ireland, where she also worked in the heritage sector. Sarah is taking on a new role as Project Coordinator with PFM Executive Search – we wish her all the best for the future!
And Welcome New Faces! Anisa Musmary, Communications Coordinator
Anisa graduated with BA (Hons) in Marketing Management and Arts Administration and Management from Oxford Brookes University. Since graduating she has worked in a number of communications and marketing roles in the corporate and not-forprofit sectors. Anisa has a great interest in built heritage, which led to her volunteering for the Ulster Architectural Heritage Society while living in Northern Ireland. She has always had a love for Vancouver’s heritage homes, and moved to the city in February 2015. She is excited to get to know B.C. better. Email: amusmary@heritagebc.ca
JENNIFER IREDALE
Shirin Shad, Office and Programs Coordinator Heritage BC is delighted to welcome Shirin Shad to the team as our new parttime Office and Programs Coordinator. Shirin started as a volunteer with Heritage BC in August 2014. She has experience in research, documentation, assessment and planning of cultural heritage buildings and sites, is a PhD Candidate at Technische Universtität Dresden, and holds a Master of Science in the Restoration of Historical Buildings and City Fabrics. Email: sshad@heritagebc.ca
Behrouz Salehipour, Website Intern Behrouz joined the team in December 2014 to mid March 2015 as an intern through the Vancouver Community Network. Behrouz helped Heritage BC refresh its website and assisted staff with program communications. Behrouz is currently studying Computer Science at UBC.
Jennifer Iredale, Director, Heritage Branch is retiring after thirty years in the Public Service in B.C. Jennifer, who has been passionate about history since she was in her teens, holds a Master’s of Science degree in Historic Preservation from Columbia University, New York. Working in public sector heritage conservation since 1985 has brought many memorable moments for Jennifer; her work as a curator for the Provincial Heritage Properties for almost 25 years is certainly a highlight. Jen’s passion for curation and conservation are evident in many historic sites around the province, including Barkerville, Point Ellice House, Craigflower Manor and Schoolhouse, and Emily Carr House. Jennifer was the lead for many years for the Heritage Branch on policy files related to youth engagement, education, environmental sustainability and heritage tourism, and made a significant impact in the integration of heritage conservation with these areas, both provincially and nationally. Jennifer was at the helm for a series of important milestones that have transformed the role of government in historic place conservation: the adoption of the provincial heritage strategy; the naming of Heritage BC as the fund adviser to the Heritage Legacy Fund; and the growth of Heritage BC’s role in building community capacity for heritage conservation, just to name a few. Recognized for her work by a number of organizations, Jennifer received a BC Museums Association Golden Service Award in 2011, and was made a Fellow of the Cascadia Green Building Council in 2012. Jennifer’s retirement signals the end of this phase of her career in heritage conservation; she is looking forward to the next chapter, and to finding new ways to contribute to both the curation and conservation of B.C.’s historic places. — BERDINE JONKER, BC HERITAGE BRANCH
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Shaping Vancouver:
Conversations on the Heritage Action Plan
The City of Vancouver Heritage Action Plan, an initiative that revises how Vancouver’s heritage conservation is managed, is in full swing. It has been more than twentyfive years since the City’s Heritage Conservation Program was formally established and now we have a tremendous opportunity to have a say in the future direction of heritage planning in our City. Heritage Vancouver is thrilled to be putting heritage and community experts together with the public for conversations around shaping the future of heritage conservation in Vancouver. This free series is made possible by the generous support of SFU’s Vancity Office of Community Engagement.
Thursday, April 16 | 7 pm–9 pm | What is Vancouver’s Heritage? Wednesday, May 27 | 7 pm–9 pm | What is Neighbourhood Character? Friday, June 12 | 7 pm–9 pm | Our Main Streets All events at SFU Woodward’s at 149 West Hastings Street,Vancouver More information: heritagevancouver.org/shapingvancouver.html
Join us at one of our scheduled Tree Tours
Visit www.rhcs.org or call 604-290-9910 for more info The Riverview Horticultural Centre Society has worked March 22 Sunday 1 pm First TREE TOUR of 2015 since 1992 to increase public April 19 Sunday 1 pm Earth Sunday TREE TOUR awareness of the BMN & RHCS May 3 Sunday 1 pm Heritage WALK - Mental HealthWeek Riverview Lands in Coquitlam May 10 Sunday 1 pm Mother’s Day TREE TOUR with the goal of having the June 14 Sunday 1 pm Backyard WALK - BMN site preserved June 21 Sunday 1 pm Aboriginal Day/Father’s Day TREE TOUR for the mentally ill and public July 5 Sunday 1 pm Linden TREE TOUR (1) community uses. Riverview July 16 Thursday 7:30 pm Linden TREE TOUR (2) & TEA has historically August 9 Sunday 1 pm Catalpa TREE TOUR been a possible bus sanctuary for August 23 Sunday 1 pm Heritage WALK - BMN & RHCS w/parallel walk the mentally ill and it is hoped September 19 Saturday 11am-4pm TREEFEST 2015 that it can once National Forest Week TOUR - RHCS September 27 Sunday 1 pm again be in the future. Last TREE TOUR - last tour of 2015 October 4 Sunday 1 pm
Help save this beautiful 244 acre site!
2015 Tree Tour Schedule
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For more details call 604 885 5432
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The Heritage Trees on the Riverview Lands form an irreplaceableassetforthepeopleof BCcomplementing the Metro Vancouver Regional Park at Colony Farm as a regional green space for Greater Vancouver.
MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR I’m not sure what was happening where you live, but I can tell you that Heritage Week in the Central Okanagan was full of lively and engaging activities. From what I read in the article in this Heritage BC Quarterly, it appears that the Central Okanagan was not the only community to embrace Heritage Week. The theme Main Street: At the Heart of the Community clearly resonated throughout the province. In Kelowna and the surrounding communities of West Kelowna and Lake Country, where I call home, ten nonprofit groups started meeting at the end of October. Throughout the fall and winter months, we collaborated as a collective on thirteen different events. With huge support from the Downtown Kelowna Association and the Royal Anne Hotel, we had the best Heritage Week ever! We received wonderful comments from the public, and the publicity through online and print media, as well as radio and TV, was over the top. You had to be living under a rock to not know it was Heritage Week! The purpose of Heritage Week is to bring recognition of our built heritage and landscapes, and to celebrate the communities we call home. Heritage BC is proud to take a leadership role in the province by supporting the nationally chosen theme through the creation of a provincial poster, promotion of local events and supporting our membership in their community efforts. If your community is not yet involved with Heritage Week, I encourage you to give it a try in 2016. — Janice Henry, Chair, Heritage BC
Board of Directors 2014-2015 Janice Henry, Chair Kelowna Helen Cain,Vice Chair Victoria Eric Pattison, Past Chair New Westminster James Ma, Treasurer Vancouver Bjorn Simonsen, Secretary Victoria Gord Macdonald, Director Mill Bay Kendall Jessiman, Director Vancouver Lynda Lafleur, Director Nakusp Timothy Ankenman, Director Vancouver
PRIME LAND DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY AND/OR ADAPTIVE REUSE OF HERITAGE BUILDING 2.5 ACRE SITE - REVELSTOKE, BC
The School District is seeking a single sale of the entire site or two or more partial sales. Through a Request for Proposals (RFP), a proponent may submit a proposal to acquire the 1914 Mountain View School building only, part or all of the redevelopment lands, or the entire site (excluding required parkland). The RFP may be viewed on BC Bid (www.bcbid.gov.bc.ca). The RFP closes April 16, 2015. Contact: Ms. Anne Cooper, Superintendent (ret.) Project Coordinator, Disposition of Mountain View Site Board of Education of School District No. 19 (Revelstoke) Phone: 250-814-4807 Email: acooper@sd19.bc.ca
M&L Heritage
Building Conservation Specialists www.macdonaldandlawrence.ca
repairs • condition assessment • non destructive testing • structural analysis • roped access • repair specification • survey
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PLANNED GIVING
Get Involved! Heritage BC is looking for volunteers who would like to contribute their time and expertise working with the staff and board in several key areas. Volunteer for an important committee: Finance, Fund Development, Membership and Program Committees • Help review and update Heritage BC policies • Set up a heritage resource library in our West Vancouver Office • Volunteer at the Heritage BC Conference in Rossland and get a drastically reduced conference rate. Enjoy the satisfaction of supporting our dynamic and worthwhile organization! Contact us today to learn more about how Heritage BC Members help make a real difference!
A Lasting Legacy Long-time loyal member and supporter Don Luxton recently pledged one-third of his estate to Heritage BC. At a recent Heritage BC fundraising event in Vancouver, Don explained,
“My entire career has been in the heritage sector and this is a substantial way for me to give back. Knowing that I can create a lasting legacy with a bequest gift makes me feel like I am doing something really significant for heritage conservation in B.C.”
Did you know that seven percent of Canadians support charitable organizations by leaving a planned gift in their will? You too can create a lasting personal legacy that will benefit heritage conservation in B.C. for years to come. A planned gift can be gifts of cash or securities, and more typically planned gifts are in the form of will bequests, charitable trusts and gift annuities. The intended purpose of a gift to Heritage BC could be to help grow the Heritage Legacy Fund endowment, to ensure Heritage BC’s ongoing educational programs, or simply to support the ongoing work of the organization. Some may think that planned giving is only for the wealthy, but anyone can enhance their capacity to give through careful consultation with a lawyer, or an investment or trust advisor. There are significant benefits to planned giving, including making gifts that will provide income for life to a nonprofit organization (e.g. endowments) or passing securities or property directly to nonprofits, thereby reducing tax implications. Planned giving is a form of stewardship for the future, and is a meaningful and effective way of showing you care. For a confidential conversation about planned giving, or for more information on how to set up a planned gift for Heritage BC, please contact Executive Director Kathryn Molloy at 604.314.5598.
Heritage BC Quarterly
Spring 2015: Adaptive Reuse Article and Advertising Deadline: April 30, 2015 Contact Anisa Musmary: amusmary@heritagebc.ca
102-657 Marine Drive West Vancouver BC Canada V7T 1A4 604.428.7243 1.855.349.7243
www.heritagebc.ca
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