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Vancouver Heritage Foundation is a registered charity supporting the conservation of heritage buildings and structures in recognition of their contribution to the city’s economy, sustainability and culture.

Help us celebrate local artist Paul de Guzman who is our 2013 artist for the WALL. Paul was selected from a list of very impressive candidates to create and install on the 30′ x 40′ concrete wall above JJ Bean at 700 Hamilton Street, the CBC Outdoor Stage. Paul’s work utilizes an archival image and text from the CBC Archives. Titled “the people are the city…” the work comments on the social responsibilities of architecture to build communities and contribute to our historical memories.

We’ll be celebrating Paul’s achievement with an official launch on Wednesday April 17th from 12pm to 1pm, at the CBC Outdoor Stage. Paul will speak about his work and the process of creating for such an expansive space, plus we’ll have tasty treats for all. Stop by on your lunch break and support public art in your city!

The WALL is a public art initiative made possible by a partnership between VHF, CBC Radio-Canada and JJ Bean Coffee Roasters. A portion of all sales from the JJ Bean CBC location kiosk, goes to funding The WALL art installations.  So every time you purchase delicious JJ Bean beverages from this spot, you are helping public art which beautifies and enlivens our city.

Vancouver Heritage Foundation is a registered charity supporting the conservation of heritage buildings and structures in recognition of their contribution to the city’s economy, sustainability and culture.

Line up at the 1181 Seymour St entrance of the Arts Club theatre (gospel hall) c. 1970s. Photo credit Glan Erickson (?) Courtesy of the ACTC

The 2013/14 season for The Arts Club Theatre Company will mark its 50th season  and VHF is excited to be presenting our Places That Matter plaque at their season launch on April 3rd. It’s a private event but we will be live tweeting, and recording it for our social media followers (follow us on facebook and twitter).

We had a chance to chat with long time Arts Club supporter Anne Tarriss.  She was a wealth of historic tidbits having been with the company since its very beginnings in the ’50s until 1979. She remembers when the collective theatre group, not yet officially ACTC, used a space on West Pender that was an art gallery and bar that served “great sandwiches”. The space on West Pender was started by visual artists and expanded to readings and poetry and involved playwrights. Let’s not forget that as Anne puts it, there wasn’t much around in Vancouver’s official theatre scene at that time in the ’50s. It was the beginning of many things in the city, and it was a challenge getting started, but it was also an exciting time.

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Vancouver Heritage Foundation is a registered charity supporting the conservation of heritage buildings and structures in recognition of their contribution to the city’s economy, sustainability and culture.

Kitsilano Theatre July 22, 1930. Leonard Frank. VPL Collection 11044

Join VHF this Saturday, March 23rd between 1-2pm for a Places That Matter plaque presentation recognizing the long and fascinating history of the Russian Community Centre at their Spring Bazaar (11-5pm, $2 admission). We’ll be there sampling all the delicious Russian homemade food and listening to the musical entertainment!

From vaudeville and movie theater, hippie hangout and rental space (orchestras, movies, wrestling), one theme has remained the same- it has been a musical venue since its beginnings. Believed to have been built in 1913-14 as a vaudeville theatre the Vancouver Daily World’s Wednesday May 4th 1921 article announces its newly installed  Robert Morton Pipe Organ costing $15,000. Later part of the Langer Theater Circuit, the building was sold to Famous Players in the late 1920s which operated as part of a chain of suburban cinemas from 1930-1955 (until television came on the scene).

“In 1958, the Russian Community was searching in the Kitsilano area for a cultural space and acquired the old Kitsilano Theatre under an agreement with Famous Players that it would no longer be used as a movie house. The membership collected $10,000  in donations for the down payment and freely donated their time and labour on weekends to revamp the building. It took 6 years to complete the renovations which included enlarging and raising the stage, rewiring the entire building, [removing] all the theatre seats and reflooring the main hall.” (from the RCC‘s website)

At the time the hall was completed, there were regular functions and activities at the RCC. There were performances of the Balalaika Orchestra, Choir, Dance Group,and the  children’s language school along with bazaars, concerts, plays; lectures and talks of Russian literature and history.

By the mid 1950-’60s attendance was dwindling. The hall had to be rented out just to pay the bills. One of those brief rentals included  The Afterthought, a coffee house and performance space, during 4th Avenue’s 60s hippie era. Counterculture in Vancouver was alive and well,  with Be-In’s and “trans-euphoric light shows”. The venue drew acts like The Grateful Dead and many local bands.

Read on to see one of many Bob Masse’s posters for Afterthought plus details for the Russian Community Centre’s Spring Bazaar …

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Vancouver Heritage Foundation is a registered charity supporting the conservation of heritage buildings and structures in recognition of their contribution to the city’s economy, sustainability and culture.

Greg Masuda, filmmaker, at Anchor Signs

When VHF‘s Places That Matter plaque project launched in 2011, we didn’t really know what we were getting ourselves into. 125 plaques for 125 sites?  Sounded easy! Nominate. Select. Produce. Install. When the Site Selection Committee members began meeting over the course of a number of months, it was pretty clear that the nominated sites (both well-known and unknown), were far more fascinating, complex and cool than anyone imagined.

With each plaque presentation the project has evolved. We’ve been actively engaging with the public, and it is from those communities and groups that we are taking the lead. They are just as excited  as we are, to find a complementary project that lets them share the stories they have known and loved with a wider audience. And that is what Places That Matter is all about.

Our featured images show Greg Masuda, a film maker, who is making a documentary on the life of Joy Kogawa (PTM #13). Greg filmed the plaque presentation and was interested in filming how our plaques were created. We were delighted and had him film at Anchor Signs, our incredible plaque partners, from beginning to end.

Another partnership we’re excited about is one that combines Strathcona/Chinatown history with UBC’s Chinese Canadian Stories project led by Prof. Henry Yu. Preliminary filming takes place in advance of the plaque presentation, at the house of midwife Nellie Yip Quong nee Towers: a woman from New Brunswick who married Charlie Yip (Yip Sang family). Nellie was very much part of the Chinatown community, delivering over 500 babies during the first half of the 20th century when Vancouver had segregated hospital service. Visit the Chinese Canadian Stories Website and stay tuned for the completed video on Nellie Yip Quong after the PTM plaque presentation May 25, 2013.

Lastly, have you attended a Places That Matter plaque event and want to get involved? How about volunteering? We’re seeking committed, enthusiastic Vancouver-loving individuals who can assist at plaque presentations throughout 2013. We’d love if you could help record these historic events through photography, video and live tweets for Vancouver Heritage Foundation social media and assist with the presentations as they unfold. Flexibility and a positive attitude are a must as every presentation is different. If you have the skills and interest, please email Jessica Quan, jessica@vancouverheritagefoundation.org for more information. If you can commit to one or two events per month, we’d love to meet you!

Vancouver Heritage Foundation is a registered charity supporting the conservation of heritage buildings and structures in recognition of their contribution to the city’s economy, sustainability and culture.

1912 Detroit Electric Model 3.1 Type 13B

Have you ever wondered about BC’s history with the electric car? Apparently it goes back 100 years! As our second evening lecture  of 2013, John Stonier, historian and engineering enthusiast,  will talk about the illustrious and fascinating history of electric cars in BC. How popular were the original electric vehicles and how do they compare to modern electric cars or conversion? How did the influence of BC Electric, who built both the Stave Lake Dam and the original tram system, affect the success of the original Electric vehicles?

Join us, Tuesday, March 19th to learn all about  100 Years of the Electric Car, 7:30pm – 9:00pm. Tickets are just $12,  buy them in advance or pay at the door (walk ups are welcome space permitting). We’ll be at The University Women’s Club of Vancouver at Hycroft, 1489 McRae Avenue. Keep an eye out for the 1912 Detroit Electric Model 3.1  that will  be parked in the Hycroft parking lot next to a brand new Chevy Volt! Representatives of both will be on hand to answer your questions.

For those of you taking your vehicle there, electric or otherwise, there’s street parking on McRae and The Crescent. If you’d like to relive BC Electric tram days,  take the bus (its almost the same thing, right?). The  #33 or #10 both offer stops near Granville and 16th Ave.

University Women’s Club also offers pre-lecture dinner at 6pm for an additional cost. Call Hycroft directly at (604) 731-4661 for more information.

Please note this lecture is not eligible for AIBC professional credits.

A special thank to the Vancouver Electric Vehicle Association, who are providing the 1912 Detroit Electric Model. For more information about them,  check out the VEVA  website.

2012 Evening Lecture at Hycroft by John Atkin on Neon in Vancouver!

Vancouver Heritage Foundation is a registered charity supporting the conservation of heritage buildings and structures in recognition of their contribution to the city’s economy, sustainability and culture.

Great image of City Hall from akimbo.ca

Ever wonder where to begin when starting a home reno project?  VHF offers Old School Workshops   to help you learn how to repair and restore older buildings. Heritage projects, from modest renos to large Heritage Revitalization Agreements require you to talk to City Hall. Since this can seem a daunting process, why not learn what you need to know before you approach the City’s Planning Department? Our two experienced presenters, who will guide you through the process of zoning, permits and more, are Senior Heritage Planner, Marco D’Agostini, City of Vancouver and award-winning heritage architect, James Burton, Birmingham & Wood. You’ll get tips and advice on how to get your project through city hall, and plenty of time for Q&A.

Wednesday, March 6th, 2013 from 6-9pm. $60 + tax. Vancouver City Hall, East Wing, Strathcona Room. A light dinner will be provided. This course is worth 4 core AIBC credits, and 2 credits toward VHF’s  Old School Heritage Conservation certificate.

Learn more about VHF’s Old School Workshops and sign up for Navigating City Hall.