history

David Hooper has learned about the Spanish flu from 1918 from his great-grandfather Francis Grant’s first-hand accounts. Grant lived in Victoria, B.C. and was working at Spencers department store when the Spanish flu came to Vancouver Island. He wrote about the epidemic in his daily diaries. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

B.C. man’s diaries reveal glimpse of life when Spanish flu hit

Port Alberni’s David Hooper shares ancestor’s writings from 1918

 

25 years later: The water skiing legend on Kalamalka Lake

25 years later: The water skiing legend on Kalamalka Lake

A group of waterskiers were towed behind a plane on Kalamalka Lake back in 1995

 

The Beaufort Café, inside the Beaufort Hotel on Third Avenue in Port Alberni, was the place to be seen in 1944. Standing at the counter on this particular day are Mr. Hugh Lee, left, and his wife Phyllis, waitresses Mollie, Jacky Mulcaster, Cathy Peterson and Sylvia McMillan, and bookkeeper Birdie. Historian Glen Mofford was gifted with this photograph by Jacquelyn R. Zambon (née Mulcaster) in 2013. (PHOTO COURTESY GLEN MOFFORD)

LOOK BACK: The historic Beaufort Hotel in Port Alberni

Taking a peek at Alberni Valley history with historian Glen Mofford

 

Unpinning layers, years and memories from my bulletin board at the office as we prepare to move to a new building in September, I uncovered this gem from coworker Rachel Theus’ baby shower for her youngest son. I found the photo on Erik’s ninth birthday. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

QUINN’S QUIPS: Memories build up on bulletin board of life

Oh, my office bulletin board is full of reminders and schedules, but it is also full of memories

Unpinning layers, years and memories from my bulletin board at the office as we prepare to move to a new building in September, I uncovered this gem from coworker Rachel Theus’ baby shower for her youngest son. I found the photo on Erik’s ninth birthday. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
Mohawk Council of Kanesatake Grand Chief Serge Otsi Simon discusses the current situation and actions relating to the Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs during a press conference at the National Press Theatre in Ottawa on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

30 years after Oka crisis, Kanesatake land claims remain unresolved

Serge Simon, the current Grand Chief of Kanesatake, vividly remembers the events of July 11, 1990

Mohawk Council of Kanesatake Grand Chief Serge Otsi Simon discusses the current situation and actions relating to the Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs during a press conference at the National Press Theatre in Ottawa on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
An image from the Royal BC Museum’s digitized collection of historical photographs shows an Interior Salish woman and child weaving baskets. The image is one of thousands posted in an online database. (Courtesy of the Royal BC Museum)

B.C. museum releases more than 16,000 historical photos of Indigenous life

Digitized images preserved and shared with Indigenous communities

An image from the Royal BC Museum’s digitized collection of historical photographs shows an Interior Salish woman and child weaving baskets. The image is one of thousands posted in an online database. (Courtesy of the Royal BC Museum)
Volunteers with Alberni Pacific Railway returned to the roundhouse parallel to Third Avenue on Saturday, June 13, 2020 to begin replacing some rail ties by hand. Physical distancing was respected as 18 ties were replaced. The railway’s train and locomotives are located at the roundhouse. (PHOTO COURTESY ALBERNI PACIFIC RAILWAY)

All tied up at Alberni Pacific Railway

Volunteers begin to replace railroad ties

Volunteers with Alberni Pacific Railway returned to the roundhouse parallel to Third Avenue on Saturday, June 13, 2020 to begin replacing some rail ties by hand. Physical distancing was respected as 18 ties were replaced. The railway’s train and locomotives are located at the roundhouse. (PHOTO COURTESY ALBERNI PACIFIC RAILWAY)
Mary Chester sits on a log on a beach preparing grasses for making baskets. In this photo, one of a series in the Alberni Valley Museum’s digital archives, she is holding and turning a tool over a plate. The AV Museum has an extensive exhibit on Indigenous baskets and prominent Nuu-chah-nulth makers. See more at https://portalberni.pastperfectonline.com. (PHOTO PN03464 COURTESY ALBERNI VALLEY MUSEUM)

A LOOK BACK: The culture of Nuu-chah-nulth basket making

Take a peek at Alberni Valley history with Alberni Valley Museum

Mary Chester sits on a log on a beach preparing grasses for making baskets. In this photo, one of a series in the Alberni Valley Museum’s digital archives, she is holding and turning a tool over a plate. The AV Museum has an extensive exhibit on Indigenous baskets and prominent Nuu-chah-nulth makers. See more at https://portalberni.pastperfectonline.com. (PHOTO PN03464 COURTESY ALBERNI VALLEY MUSEUM)
A LOOK BACK: maritime history of Alberni Inlet

A LOOK BACK: maritime history of Alberni Inlet

Take a peek at Alberni Valley history with Alberni Valley Museum

A LOOK BACK: maritime history of Alberni Inlet
A large group of children stand outside the Capitol Theatre in December 1936. Next to the Capitol is a community hall that was built in 1928-29, and after the Depression turned into a bowling alley. (JOSEPH CLEGG PHOTO/ AV MUSEUM COLLECTION PN09340)

A LOOK BACK: recreation in Port Alberni’s downtown

Take a peek at Alberni Valley history with the Alberni Valley Museum

A large group of children stand outside the Capitol Theatre in December 1936. Next to the Capitol is a community hall that was built in 1928-29, and after the Depression turned into a bowling alley. (JOSEPH CLEGG PHOTO/ AV MUSEUM COLLECTION PN09340)
A screenshot from the 1926 footage of the North Island. (Youtube screenshot)

VIDEO: Film historian finds rare footage from 1926, showcasing remote Northern Vancouver Island life

‘This photographer clearly knew what he was doing, suggesting he was taught’

A screenshot from the 1926 footage of the North Island. (Youtube screenshot)
The First West Coast General Hospital, photographed in 1932, shows a large wing added to the original two-storey building on Redford Street. The site was chosen in the early 1900s because it was partway between ‘Alberni’ and ‘Port Alberni’. Abbeyfield House and the Port Alberni RCMP detachment now sit on the site of the first hospital. This photo is one of nearly 24,000 in the Alberni Valley Museum’s collection. See more at https://portalberni.pastperfectonline.com/ (PN00109/ Alberni Valley Museum)

A LOOK BACK: Port Alberni’s hospital

Take a peek at Alberni Valley history with Alberni Valley Museum

  • May 2, 2020
The First West Coast General Hospital, photographed in 1932, shows a large wing added to the original two-storey building on Redford Street. The site was chosen in the early 1900s because it was partway between ‘Alberni’ and ‘Port Alberni’. Abbeyfield House and the Port Alberni RCMP detachment now sit on the site of the first hospital. This photo is one of nearly 24,000 in the Alberni Valley Museum’s collection. See more at https://portalberni.pastperfectonline.com/ (PN00109/ Alberni Valley Museum)
Looking back at the Alberni District Fall Fair in the 1960s, when the Stephens Barn was built. The barn remains a feature for livestock on the fairgrounds. The Fall Fair has been cancelled for 2020, the first time in its 75-year history. (PHOTO COURTESY ANN SIDDALL)

A LOOK BACK: at the Alberni District Fall Fair

A Look Back is a new feature in the Alberni Valley News featuring historic community photos

Looking back at the Alberni District Fall Fair in the 1960s, when the Stephens Barn was built. The barn remains a feature for livestock on the fairgrounds. The Fall Fair has been cancelled for 2020, the first time in its 75-year history. (PHOTO COURTESY ANN SIDDALL)
Vehicles parade through Cloverdale in 1946. The actual parade is unknown as there were six in Cloverdale that year – May Day, the Rodeo, the Kinsmen’s Gymkhana (June 29th), the Fall Fair, August Memorial Service, and the Wild West Show. (Image courtesy of Surrey Historical Society)

BCHF conference once again slated for Cloverdale

Surrey Historical Society to host 2021 history conference

Vehicles parade through Cloverdale in 1946. The actual parade is unknown as there were six in Cloverdale that year – May Day, the Rodeo, the Kinsmen’s Gymkhana (June 29th), the Fall Fair, August Memorial Service, and the Wild West Show. (Image courtesy of Surrey Historical Society)
Some youth are choosing to draw their thoughts on their pandemic postcards. People who don’t want to download a postcard can also e-mail their thoughts to Literacy Alberni and they will be printed on a card for the project. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

Port Alberni pandemic postcard project asks people to share COVID-19 experiences

Postcards will be donated to museum for posterity

Some youth are choosing to draw their thoughts on their pandemic postcards. People who don’t want to download a postcard can also e-mail their thoughts to Literacy Alberni and they will be printed on a card for the project. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)
Fanny Rodgers shows a 45-year-old message left in the walls of her Castlegar home. Photo: John Boivin

Hidden message connects Castlegar homeowners decades apart

The Rodgers family was surprised when a message fell out of the walls as they were renovating

Fanny Rodgers shows a 45-year-old message left in the walls of her Castlegar home. Photo: John Boivin
A collection of new artifacts from the wreck of the Franklin Expedition’s HMS Erebus, is seen at Parks Canada Conservation Laboratories in Ottawa, on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2020. Artifacts include a hairbrush, handle of a stamp for a seal, clothes brush, comb, piece of sealing wax, chain, toothbrush and paintbrush. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Thumbprint, hairbrush: Franklin wreck in Nunavut waters reveals sailors’ lives

In 2019, the Parks Canada team produced extraordinary images of the HMS Terror

A collection of new artifacts from the wreck of the Franklin Expedition’s HMS Erebus, is seen at Parks Canada Conservation Laboratories in Ottawa, on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2020. Artifacts include a hairbrush, handle of a stamp for a seal, clothes brush, comb, piece of sealing wax, chain, toothbrush and paintbrush. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
Sculptor Nathan Scott adds detail to the tremendous clay mutton chops of John Abbott. Looking on is the ill-fated John Thompson (front right), the 68-day leader Charles Tupper (back right) and Mackenzie Bowell (back left). (Dave Eagles/Kamloops This Week)

Kamloops sculptor casting Canada’s forefathers in bronze

Four of Canada’s early prime ministers will be cast in bronze at a shop in Knutsford, B.C.

  • Feb 9, 2020
Sculptor Nathan Scott adds detail to the tremendous clay mutton chops of John Abbott. Looking on is the ill-fated John Thompson (front right), the 68-day leader Charles Tupper (back right) and Mackenzie Bowell (back left). (Dave Eagles/Kamloops This Week)
Couple’s love of Oak Bay Beach Hotel leads to purchase of strata unit

Couple’s love of Oak Bay Beach Hotel leads to purchase of strata unit

The best of both worlds in hotel condo

  • Dec 11, 2019
Couple’s love of Oak Bay Beach Hotel leads to purchase of strata unit
Artist Robert Amos paints Victoria

Artist Robert Amos paints Victoria

Painter is also an art writer and art historian

  • Sep 27, 2019
Artist Robert Amos paints Victoria