STEVESTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Steveston Historical Society (SHS), established in 1976, is a non-profit charitable society with a mandate to preserve and promote the history of Steveston.

The Society operates the Steveston Museum Post Office and oversees the operation of the Steveston Museum, Japanese Benevolent Society Building, and the Town Square Park.

The Society also hosts the Steveston 20/20 Group which is comprised of most of the nonprofit groups in Steveston, as well as Richmond organizations with an interest in Steveston, including Tourism Richmond.

The Steveston 20/20 Group mandate is to establish effective communication between the non-profit groups, to foster a positive working relationship and to facilitate information exchange and networking between the nonprofit groups, the City of Richmond and the merchants, for the betterment of the community.

Traditionally the Society operates several programs such as:

Steveston Alive! Walking Tour Vignettes: Tours incorporating five short plays written especially for SHS, featuring the history of Steveston. The Society commissioned a local playwright to develop these original scripts, as well as a costume designer to design period-appropriate costumes. They partner with Steveston-London Secondary School’s drama department to create an opportunity for students to perform during the summer. (Hiatus during COVID-19).

Songs in the Snow - A Vintage Christmas: A winter celebration in partnership with Richmond Arts Coalition highlighting Richmond singers, performers and artists with songs and activities. (It was held virtually the last two years.)

A report describing the 2021 consultation and resulting recommendations was approved by Council on November 8, 2021. The City and Steveston Historical Society developed the following guiding directions for future programming at the Steveston Museum and Post Office:

• Retain a mix of amenities that serve locals year-round.

• Continue to support heritage programming, and improve and raise the profile of existing displays.

• Reframe Post Office operations as more than just a business, but a community-meeting place that celebrates local heritage and provides valued services.

• Continue to collaborate with Tourism Richmond to explore other options for delivery of visitor services throughout Steveston.

• Explore the potential for additional retail services.

These guiding directions will shape programming and facility changes taking place over the coming months and years. Planning for these changes started in 2021, with the development of a new vision for the Museum facility, in part to address the departure of the Visitor Centre. Tourism Richmond decided to focus its efforts on supporting visitors to Steveston in ways other than a permanent visitor services counter. Therefore, they will not be continuing service at the Steveston Museum.

The Steveston Historical Society is excited to launch a new Pop-up Artist Program in collaboration with the Richmond Arts Coalition which will replace the Visitor Centre activity. This program will offer temporary space for local artists and artisans to demonstrate, exhibit, and sell their work. To support this programming, the City is undertaking a number of alterations to the facility starting in early 2022. Work includes removing the visitor services counter and bank manager's office display, and upgrading the space with new flooring and furnishings, to support art displays and post office storage. This work is supported, in part, by funding from the Government of Canada.

In addition to the new vision for the main room of the Northern Bank building, a refresh of the displays is planned for late 2022. The new displays are intended to: i) create a deeper understanding and sense of pride in place for local community; ii) connect post office patrons and visitors to the history of the building and Steveston’s postal service; and iii) tell the stories of Steveston’s community not found in other heritage places.

Japanese Fishermen’s Benevolent Society building

Lastly, a number of minor improvements to the are planned, with the goal to increase awareness of and visitation to the displays inside. These improvements include:

• making the entrance off First Avenue accessible during summer season, with exterior improvements to landscaping and signage to increase its visibility;

• establishing an engaging, public-facing name for the facility; and

• offering new programming and changing displays in the back room of the building.

More detailed planning for historical displays and the Japanese Fishermen’s Benevolent Society building will be undertaken in collaboration with local community starting in late 2022.

Steveston Town Square Park

The Steveston Historical Society and City are working together to make these changes and improvements to the building and operations. It is their desire to ensure the site remains responsive to the community over the coming years.

Steveston Museum

Town Square Park

Japanese Benevolent Society Building

Steveston Museum Post Office

3811 Moncton St, Richmond, BC V7C 3A0

www.historicsteveston.ca