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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. |
The DTES is chock full of historic spots in the city that we all love and know, but if there's a house that tells the story of the more recent history of the Strathcona's East End community, it's the Walter and Mary Lee Chan House. VHF's upcoming plaque presentation this Saturday November 3rd is part of the Heart of the City Festival and we love that the Places That Matter plaque project gets to be a part of such an amazing festival!
Saturday, Nov 3rd, starting at 3:30pm right in front of 658 Keefer St. will be a mosaic unveiling to pay tribute to SPOTA (Strathcona Property Owners and Tenants Association) founders and supporters. VHF will be presenting the Walter and Mary Lee Chan House plaque to the family (one in English and one translated in Chinese calligraphy!). Stick around for a sneak peek inside the house with VHF.
"Walter and Mary Lee Chan were the driving force behind the campaign to stop urban renewal in Vancouver’s Strathcona neighbourhood in the 1960s. Walter, Mary and friends organized the neighbourhood into the Strathcona Property Owners and Tenants Association (SPOTA) which halted the “wholesale destruction of older housing” and advocated that urban renewal funds be redirected to repair neighbourhood homes, an idea that soon became a national program."
After the mosaic unveiling and plaque presentation, all are welcome for refreshments from 4-5pm at the Strathcona Community Centre. If you're in the area beforehand, John Atkin will lead a walking tour ($10) of “The Freeway that Never Was” departing at the SE corner of Main & Union at 1:30pm and ending at 3:30pm at 658 Keefer St. for the plaque presentation and mosaic unveiling.
Read VHF's piece on SPOTA's Special Fight and check out upcoming Places That Matter presentations!
To see more photos
Shirley Chan, Maclean Magazine 1969 in front of 658 Keefer
Photo submitted by Nominator
