Vancouver鈥檚 original Jewish community centre, Davie Street Village and Benny鈥檚 Market are among 125 historically significant sites that the 麻豆传媒映画Heritage Foundation recognized through its project, which was created in 2011 to mark the city鈥檚 125th anniversary.
Now, the organization is advancing that project through its Community History Resource, with a searchable map that serves as a home for profiles, stories and photos of all 125 sites. But the concept is to add even more information over time, according to foundation spokesperson Kathryn Morrow.
鈥淚f people have stories or pictures or memories from a specific site, they can send them to the 麻豆传媒映画Heritage Foundation and we can add their information to the website,鈥� she explained. 鈥淭he idea is that it will build and grow as people send us more things about each site, but it鈥檚 kind of a community-led project.鈥�
While a soft launch was held late last year, its official launch takes place Feb. 21 during the Places That Matter community celebration at Kitsilano Neighbourhood House. It鈥檚 one of three events the foundation is staging to mark Heritage Week, which runs from Feb. 19 to 25.
The other two events are a walking tour of Gastown led by historian John Atkin on Feb. 24 and Sunday Morning at Punjabi Market, a walking tour revealing what makes that neighbourhood special, on Feb. 25.
The theme of this year鈥檚 Heritage Week, which is celebrated across the country, is 鈥淗eritage Stands the Test of Time.鈥� The aim is to honour the endurance of heritage sites and buildings, their cultural significance and contribution to a sustainable future, according to the heritage foundation.
Morrow said its upcoming events put the spotlight on culturally significant places.
The Places that Matter event, for instance, calls attention to sites that were previously unrecognized that have cultural or community significance.
鈥淭he Sunday Morning at the Punjabi Market is basically an extension of that,鈥� she said. 鈥淚n that we鈥檝e taken a community that has a lot of cultural significance in 麻豆传媒映画and we鈥檙e highlighting that.鈥�
Atkin鈥檚 tour of Gastown, meanwhile, will focus on the evolving landscape of the neighbourhood.
鈥淪o it鈥檚 not just about the history and the old buildings, he鈥檒l be talking about some of the revitalization projects and buildings that are doing something a little bit different, a little bit interesting, in the future of Gastown,鈥� Morrow said.
She maintains it鈥檚 important to recognize Heritage Week because it鈥檚 a good time to reflect on what makes 麻豆传媒映画special and unique, and to check out things we may not notice every day.
鈥淚n Vancouver, it鈥檚 really easy to think that we鈥檙e a young city and that we don鈥檛 have a lot of interesting culture or history. So Heritage Week is a good excuse to get outside and see some places and learn something about your community,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he events that we鈥檙e holding are free or low cost so they鈥檙e really accessible, family-friendly and a good way to talk to your kids or get younger people interested in where they鈥檙e from and to learn about places that are near them.鈥�
Heritage Week events in Vancouver:
Event: Places That Matter 鈥� Community celebration and proclamation reading
Date: Feb. 21
Details: Celebrate the local, cultural and lesser known history of our city with a free evening of storytelling, community and refreshments. The master of ceremonies is comedian Morgan Brayton.
There will be information about the new Community History Resource, a website that celebrates local history, and how you can share stories and add to the project. There will also be displays related to some of the 125 Places That Matter sites.
Where: Kitsilano Neighbourhood House, 2305 West Seventh Ave. from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Several speakers will share stories between 7 and 8 p.m.
Cost: Free
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Event: Gastown Revisited Walking Tour
Date: Feb. 24
Details: Historian John Atkin explores some of the more recent interventions in evolving Gastown, a heritage district since 1971.
Where: Gastown, 10 a.m. until noon
Cost:$15
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Event: Sunday Morning at Punjabi Market
Date: Feb. 25
Details:Enjoy a morning of cultural stories and local history, authentic chai and treats from All India Sweets and Restaurant and hear about the people, businesses and stories that make this area special.
Where: All India Sweets and Restaurant, 6560 Main St. from 9:30 a.m. until 12 p.m.
Cost :$25
For tickets or more information, go to
More information about Heritage Week can be found and .
