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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.

Georgia Viaduct construction, destruction of Hogan's Alley 1972, Vie's Chicken and Steak House at 209 Union is still standing, later demolished in 1981. CVA 216 - 1.23, Campbell's Studio cropped. Courtesy of Vancouver Moving Theatre Collection

VHF has been overwhelmed by the awesome response we’ve received for our upcoming Hogan’s Alley  Places That Matter plaque presentation  Sunday Feb 24th at 2pm during Black History Month in Vancouver.  We’re very pleased to have partnered up with HAMP (Hogan’s Alley Memorial Project) to work with Wayde Compton and Sheilagh Caghill and with Hogan’s Alley Poetry Festival, Black Dot Collective organizer, Kevan “Scruffmouth Scribe” Cameron. This first permanent commemoration of the black history in Strathcona/East End has been a long time coming.

What we love best about Places That Matter is that we get to discover amazing people, projects and history in the city (often those that have been around for a very long time but remain relatively unknown), and we get to share these stories with everyone.  Every plaque presentation is a mini-reunion of sorts, and Hogan’s Alley is no exception. We can’t wait to hear first-hand stories from those who lived in the neighbourhood. It’s a chance to reflect not only on the history of what was, but to celebrate the next generation and a wider collaborative community that has come together to support these  permanent  markers of history. VHF’s Places That Matter plaque reads:

Hogan’s Alley was part of the ethnically diverse East End, centred between Prior and Union and Main and Jackson. It was home to much of Vancouver’s Black community and included businesses such as Vie’s Chicken and Steak House on Union and the Pullman Porters’ Club on Main. The neighbourhood was a popular cultural hub before mid-twentieth century urban renewal schemes and the Georgia Viaduct Replacement Project demolished many of its buildings.

It’s hard to provide the full scope of black history in early Vancouver but one excellent resource is from a special presentation by Vancouver Moving Theatre which took place in 2011 called ” Spirit Rising Festival & East End Blues & All That Jazz”. Click to see the full programme pdf and we suggest reading pages 24-31 for a great history compilation.

If you miss this event, you’ll still be able to check out the plaque.  Go and have a bite to eat at the Hogan’s Alley Cafe and let your imagination wander. For those of you who aren’t sure where exactly Hogan’s Alley existed, keep reading for more photos and a map below.

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It’s Heritage Week, and in addition to hosting tours, talks, walks, workshops and celebrations surrounding Vancouver’s fascinating heritage (scope out the events and RSVP here) – Vancouver Heritage Foundation has decided to throw a Heritage Week Trivia Contest!

Like us on Facebook and check in every day from February 18-24. VHF is asking you to put your wits to work for the chance to win an exciting Heritage Weekend Package prize.

HOW THE HERITAGE WEEK CONTEST WORKS: Every day this week at 10am, VHF will post a new photo on Facebook and ask you to answer a related trivia question. The first five people to answer correctly before midnight each day will be entered to win. Then on February 25, VHF will draw one lucky grand prize winner! You can enter everyday, for more chances to win.

THE PRIZE: You and a lucky guest will enjoy one night’s stay at Vancouver’s fabulous West End Guest House PLUS two tickets to the very popular Heritage House Tour (Heritage Weekend Package must be used June 1-2, 2013). Built in 1906, the West End Guest House is a beautiful heritage bed and breakfast located in the West End in downtown Vancouver. Awaking from a decadent night’s stay, the lucky winner will then be whisked away to enjoy Vancouver Heritage Foundation’s 2013 Heritage House Tour, an inspiring look into 10 private Vancouver homes.

To try your hand at the Heritage Week Trivia Contest, visit the Vancouver Heritage Foundation’s Facebook page daily from Feb 18-24. Get your guesses in now!

Don’t miss out on Vancouver Heritage Foundation’s many awesome Heritage Week events. Full event details

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.

Gastown Tour VHF 2012

Next week VHF  will be celebrating BC Heritage Week with 7 days of fascinating tours, talks, walks, workshops, and celebrations with much of it centered around historic neighbourhoods near the old East End-  like Gastown, Strathcona and Chinatown. Why not join us and be a local tourist for the week, discovering the history of Vancouver’s ethnically diverse roots and joining the discussion on why our city’s heritage and history is important to everyone. Here’s the heritage round-up!

Tuesday Feb 19 – Chinatown: What makes it a National Historic Site?

Wednesday Feb 20: Philosopher’s Café – “Why Do We Worry about Heritage?”
co-presenting with Jewish Museum & Archives
John Atkin offers his own interesting and offbeat insight into Vancouver’s architecture, history and neighbourhoods through his astute insight of urban planning and development, a love of architecture, and a fascination for the curious. A 30 minute lecture will be followed with a 60 minute open discussion.
6184 Ash Street, 7- 9 pm, $5 suggested donation. Light refreshments will be served. Tickets at the door only.

Thursday Feb 21: Historic Jewish Walking tour of Strathcona & Gastown with The Jewish Museum & Archives of BC
Discover the fascinating tales of early Jewish life in the heart of Strathcona and Gastown. This guided walking tour starts in Strathcona, and covers approximately 2 km to visit the landmarks, architecture, and events that shaped the evolution of historic Vancouver.
Meet at 700 East Pender (at Heatley, First Shara Tzedek Synagogue), noon – 2 pm, $12. Please register online in advance.

Friday Feb 22: Historic West Hastings Map Guide Launch
Join the inaugural walking tour to launch the NEW! map guide and be one of the first people to receive a copy of the guide researched and written by Michael Kluckner. The walk will be lead by tour guide Maurice Guibord.
Meet at Bute and Hastings, 12pm – 2pm, $12. Please register online in advance.

Saturday Feb 23: Japantown Walking Tour
Join civic historian, John Atkin, on an walking tour of Japantown and the oldest residential district in Vancouver. We’ll look at the extraordinary history of this neighbourhood before returning to the 1928 Japanese Language School for a tour of the recent green renovation and restoration of this important community building. Tour starts at 475 Alexander St. from 10:30am-12:30pm $12 Please register in advance.

Saturday Feb 23: Old School Workshop – Lath & Plaster: Simple Repairs
Simple repairs for restoring and maintaining lath and plaster. Don’t swap out the patina of your lath and plaster for drywall! Workshop with Master Plasterer of 40 years, Lloyd Cutting and Carpenter, John Anderson. 10am -12pm noon Tickets are $30 +tax.  Buy a spot.  Mission to Seafarers, 401 E Waterfront Rd.

Sunday, February 24: Places That Matter plaque presentation – Hogan’s Alley
Celebrate Black History month with a very special presentation. 2pm at the Hogan’s Alley Cafe, at Gore and Union. Speeches, poetry, music and history will be presented, followed by a procession to unveil the plaque nearby. See the Places that Matter page for more details.

VHF Tour Japantown 2009

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.

Photo by John Roaf 1967; Rhodri Windsor-Liscomb 1997

VHF is gearing up for the second screening in our Gritty City  film series,  ‘Coast Modern’ at the historic Hollywood Theatre next Tuesday, Feb 12th, 7:30pm (featuring  Q&A with the directors, entry and concession are both by donation). So to help get you excited about West Coast Modernism,  here’s a look at two modernist structures celebrated as part of  Places That Matter, plus a peek at VHF’s Mid-Century Modern House Tour coming up in August. Mid-century modern lovers, rejoice!

The Unitarian Church 1964 Architect: Wolfgang Gerson @949 W. 49th

Designed by architect Wolfgang Gerson, this Modernist church was the first post-1940s building added to the City of Vancouver heritage register. Its form reflects the separation of the Unitarian church from traditional Christian practices. We celebrated its design, and the congregation’s continued good work, plus the history of Greenpeace. Vancouver’s Unitarian members held their first service in 1909 in a downtown theatre. By 1913 members had built a church at 10th and Granville which served the congregation for over 50 years before the 49th and Oak property was purchased. At a February 1970 meeting held at the Unitarian Church, activists of the “Don’t Make A Wave Committee” renamed itself “Greenpeace”; with this name, the work of the environmental organization Greenpeace began.

Collingwood Library 1951: Architects Harold Semmens & Douglas Simpson 2985 Kingsway St.

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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.

We’ve been working on the China Creek Cycle Track plaque presentation for the past few months, and it’s been a fascinating look back on a place that holds a lot of great memories for many people. We may not be able to watch the “thrills and spills” of live outdoor track racing, but you can be part of a historic reunion, and listen to the history (it’s long and layered) and the first-hand stories by racing veterans. Feb 6th at  10am, Vancouver Community College Broadway Campus, 7th Ave entrance, 1st floor atrium and join us ’cause since we’ve already lost ‘Ace’, there won’t be many more occasions to hear from the guys and gals who rode the track..

We’ve been posting photos of the China Creek Cycle Track (from local legend Lorne ‘Ace’ Atkinson’s extensive scrapbooks) on social media and folks on Facebook and twitter have left some great comments.  Michael Cooper  posted this photo for us on Facebook with the awesome caption:

“This is the sprint final for a race on the China Creek Cycling Track, probably in 1976 or 1977. That is the Washington State sprint champion Richard Snavely on the bottom, me leading at the top of the banking and Ed McRae behind me. The track was torn down in 1980. Our last full racing season was 1979. I was the last BC Track Champion on this track.”

Photo credit: unknown. Posted on Facebook by Michael Cooper

• Mike Cleven writes ” I remember that track ; didn’t know it was still in use as late as ’79….close family friends lived on 13th between Clark and Glen, was around that area a lot and of course when you drove Clark it was hard to miss….China Creek gets its name from the winter riots of 1885 when the Chinese were driven out of old Gastown and regrouped in the ravine there…..then afterwards moved down to Dupont/Pender Street…..

This aerial image from Bob H on Flickr from 1979. 1155 East Broadway

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.

Beginning next Tuesday, January 29th, at 7:30pm VHF presents “Gritty City – Vancouver in the 60′s”.  Through three film nights we look back at Vancouver in the mid-20th century when neon and mid-century architecture were at their zenith, and the grittiness of the city was captured on the screen. Partnering with Church at the Hollywood in the historic Hollywood Theatre, our mini-film series offers three nights of great films and great discussion with entry and concession by donation. Doors open at 7pm. See below for more details. Hope you’ll join us!

Tuesday January 29th -7:30pm- Glowing in the Dark (1994)
Produced by Alan Goldman with Cari Green + Directed by Harry Killas
A look at neon in Vancouver, Las Vegas and LA
Screening followed by Q&A led by John Atkin and Alan Goldman

Tuesday February 12th -7:30pm- Coast Modern (2012)
Directed by Mike Bernard + Gavin Froome
Showcases the pioneers of West Coast Modernist Architecture, and the homes that have become their legacies. Stepping inside the most inspired dwellings on the west coast, we feel how the light and space of a classic Modernist home can work in collaboration with the natural environment
Screening followed by an open discussion with the directors

Tuesday February 26th – 7:30pm-  CBC Archival Film Program takes a look back at Vancouver in the 60s.     We’ll be showing West End ‘66 and A City’s Story, two half hour shorts that cruise through city neighbourhoods and the downtown by night and day. Screenings with open discussion after each film.