Historic Places Video Gallery

Faith’s video tells the story of Residential Schools and their legacies with interviews of her family members who went to the Kamloops Residential School.

The first Black community established in Vancouver was Hogan’s Alley. The neighbourhood consisted of a church, successful restaurants and other businesses. It was famous for the musicians who lived there and those who visited such as Jimmy Hendrix, Ella Fitzgerald, and Louis Armstrong.

Endangered Past is about the demolition of Vancouver’s heritage homes. It asks the question: When we demolish heritage homes, what else do we lose besides buildings?

Have you ever thought how it was like to immigrate in the 19th century? How it was to open a business? The video introduces us to the family of Gustav Roedde, Vancouver’s first bookbinder, a middle class, immigrant family at the turn of the last century.

From sandbars to an industrial island, from making business in war efforts to the cultural oasis of today, Granville Island has changed over the last 100 years. What was behind the changes?

Samuel’s video is about how the gold rush city of Barkerville is still going strong after 153 years, bringing in people from all around but not to strike gold. Today they are coming to learn about the gold rush and the people who lived through it.

The Empress of China was built in 1891 to carry passengers and cargo across the Pacific. Her captain was Madeline’s great great great grandfather who like Emily lived in North Vancouver.

In 1871 Port Essington was the main port on the Canadian North Coast. The community had a population of several 1000 people during the summer season when the fish canneries were in full operation. Less than 100 years later Port Essington was a ghost town – what went wrong?

In 1914 Gurdit Singh chartered a steamship called the Komagata Maru and set out to challenge Canada’s discriminatory immigration laws. After a 50 day voyage the steamship reached Vancouver but it was not allowed to dock and for two months all 376 Indian passengers were stuck on board. After a long legal battle, 24 passengers were allowed entry while the rest were escorted out of the harbour by the navy ship Rainbow.

Lauren’s video is a historical tour of Vancouver’s first suburb, Mount Pleasant. Through engaging narration and historical and modern images, she shares the history of the neighbourhood.

The Gulf of Georgia Cannery is an important, yet little known part of Canada’s history. Emily’s video focuses on the struggles of the workers and the machinery they used.

The Arthur Laing Bridge connects Vancouver to Richmond and the airport. Bronwyn’s video tells the story of the man after whom it is named, his personal and political accomplishments.

From wars to funerals the steam engine was involved in almost every major Canadian event for the last 150 years. Today it is recognized in communities across the nation for its important role in our history and even in Jordan’s family history.

Kristen’s video traces the lives of the people who owned her home from 1926 until today. It includes research of the architectural elements and items which were found in her home as well as the various homeowners. It concludes with a discussion of the importance of preserving heritage sites.